Kostyuk sets – Marta Kostyuk powered into her first major semifinal at the French Open, beating Elina Svitolina in an all-Ukrainian quarterfinal and setting up a clash with Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva. Kostyuk led 2-0 against Andreeva on tour and, following protocol for
When Marta Kostyuk walked off the court Tuesday night, the scoreline told only part of the story. In an all-Ukrainian quarterfinal against Elina Svitolina, she won 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to reach her first major semifinal at Roland Garros.
The match set up a direct, unavoidable storyline for the semifinals: Kostyuk will face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva. Andreeva advanced by thumping Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3.
Kostyuk came into the tournament already carrying a personal tradition of protest and protocol. She leads Andreeva 2-0 on the tour, including the second win in the Madrid final a month ago. In the quarterfinal against Svitolina. Kostyuk didn’t shake hands at the net. following protocol for Ukrainians with opponents from Russia and its ally Belarus since the war with Russia started four years ago.
Kostyuk spoke about what that moment meant beyond tennis. “We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, so many people dead,” she said.
Svitolina, too, made the match about more than sport. “I want to give this match to Ukrainian people and to their resilience. Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!)” she said.
Outside the stadium, the stakes remained sharp. 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, Svitolina got off to a slow start before working her way into the quarterfinal, matching Kostyuk’s power from the baseline. Still, Kostyuk was sharper on the important points in the deciding set and improved her impressive 2026 clay-court record to 17-0.
Kostyuk’s run has carried a historic weight as well. She is the first Ukrainian woman to reach the semifinals at the French Open in the professional era, dating to 1968. Svitolina has reached the semis at the other three Grand Slams, but failed for the sixth time to win a French Open quarterfinal.
The semifinals matchup also places Andreeva back in familiar territory. She will appear in her second French Open semifinal, two years after her first. When asked about the challenges of playing a Ukrainian in wartime, Andreeva kept her focus on the ball. “Well, for me it doesn’t matter who I play,” she said.
“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.”
After a week of hot weather, rain arrived in Paris, and play began under the closed roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier. In Cirstea’s quarterfinal. she struggled to find her rhythm for the first time in 17 years as she returned to this stage. The 36-year-old veteran—playing the final season of her career—dropped her serve immediately and 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, and Cirstea’s attempt to come back was shortlived. Afterward, Andreeva said, “I felt like it was one of my best matches so far this tournament. Super happy to be back in semis.”
The day also continued on other courts. In men’s play, up-and-coming Rafael Jodar of Spain faces a tall order against second-seeded Alexander Zverev. Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic takes on Joao Fonseca of Brazil in the night session.
French Open Roland Garros Marta Kostyuk Elina Svitolina Mirra Andreeva Sorana Cirstea Ukraine Russia Kyiv drones missiles tennis semifinals
So she didn’t shake hands? That’s kinda childish tbh.
Reading headlines only but it sounds like Kostyuk just proved something about the whole Russia thing. Like I’m glad she said Slava Ukraini, but why is tennis always tied to war now?
Wait I thought Mirra Andreeva was like… older? “Teenager” threw me off. Also the article said Kostyuk led 2-0 on tour but then it’s a match score different—so is that like head-to-head wins or sets? Either way, drones in Kyiv and then tennis is wild.
All I’m seeing is no handshake and then Russia sending drones overnight. Idk man, they should just cancel the whole tournament if it’s this heavy. But then also I feel bad for Svitolina because she was trying to be respectful? Confusing. Like, tennis is supposed to be escape.