Kostyuk reaches – Marta Kostyuk will face Mirra Andreeva in the French Open semifinals after beating Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in an all-Ukraine quarterfinal. Kostyuk and Svitolina both tied the result to Ukraine’s wartime reality after Russia’s overnight strikes on Kyiv an
PARIS — Marta Kostyuk didn’t shake hands at the net after an all-Ukraine quarterfinal. For Ukrainians facing opponents from Russia and its ally Belarus since the war began four years ago, protocol matters. On Tuesday, it was part of the weight carried into the biggest moment on clay.
Kostyuk then backed up that defiance with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Elina Svitolina, setting up a French Open semifinal against Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.
The second semifinal is being framed as a clash of momentum as much as rankings. Andreeva needed no such patience against Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea, thumping her 6-0, 6-3. For Kostyuk. the matchup with Andreeva also carries a familiar feel: Kostyuk leads 2-0 on the tour. including the second win in the Madrid final a month ago.
Kostyuk’s emotions spilled into the open after the match. “We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, so many people dead,” she said.
Svitolina made her own statement, adding, “I want to give this match to Ukrainian people and to their resilience. Slava Ukraini!”
Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least 18 civilians and wounding more than 100 others, authorities said on Tuesday.
On court, the drama came in the way it often does when two elite baseliners refuse to blink. Svitolina started slowly but worked her way into the contest, matching Kostyuk’s power from the baseline. In the deciding set, Kostyuk was better in the important points. She also improved her impressive 2026 record on clay to 17-0.
Kostyuk’s run has been historic even before the semifinal. She became the first Ukrainian woman to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros in the professional era, dating back to 1968.
Svitolina, meanwhile, knows what it feels like to be close. She has reached the semis at the other three Grand Slams but failed for the sixth time to win a French Open quarterfinal.
Andreeva is used to the attention that comes with playing a Ukrainian in wartime. Asked about what those challenges look like for her, the 19-year-old said: “Well, for me it doesn’t matter who I play.”
“I really try to play against the ball that is coming at me. Usually it doesn’t matter to me who I’m playing against, so I’m trying to really focus on the game and on the game plan that I have to use on the court.”
For Andreeva, this will be her second French Open semifinal, two years after her first.
The quarterfinals themselves played out under unusual conditions. After a week of hot weather, rain arrived in Paris, and matches started under the closed roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Cirstea, competing in a quarterfinal for the first time in 17 years, struggled to find her rhythm from the outset. The 36-year-old veteran, playing the final season of her career, dropped her serve immediately. She didn’t hold serve or win a game until the first game of the second set.
Andreeva’s deep, accurate groundstrokes and her charges to the net took a toll on an opponent seeded 18th, and Cirstea’s attempt to come back was shortlived.
“I felt like it was one of my best matches so far this tournament,” Andreeva said. “Super happy to be back in semis.”
There was more sport on the program too. In the men’s draw, up-and-coming Rafael Jodar of Spain takes on second-seeded Alexander Zverev. Jakub Mensik of Czechia faces Joao Fonseca of Brazil in the night session.
Back in the women’s draw, the semifinal picture is already set: Kostyuk’s clay form and Svitolina’s unfulfilled French dream meet Andreeva’s speed and certainty next, with the atmosphere shaped not just by points and pressure, but by the reality beyond the stadium gates.
French Open Roland Garros Marta Kostyuk Elina Svitolina Mirra Andreeva Sorana Cirstea Ukraine Russia clay season