Elina Svitolina, the seventh seed, and Marta Kostyuk, ranked 15th, set up an all-Ukraine quarter-final at Roland Garros after both reached the women’s singles last eight. It marks only the second time two Ukrainian players have met in a Grand Slam quarter-fina
Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk are set to share the court again in a place that always feels too big for nerves—Roland Garros. This time, it’s not just another women’s singles quarter-final. It’s an all-Ukraine meeting. with both players earning their spots after a fortnight that has left Ukrainian tennis firmly in the spotlight.
Seventh seed Svitolina and 15th-ranked Kostyuk are two of only three women from Ukraine to reach the singles quarter-finals at Roland Garros in the Open era. Their run also comes with evidence of depth beyond the two of them: four women from Ukraine reached the third round during this fortnight.
For Svitolina, the quarter-final is her sixth at the French Open. She has now reached the last eight of a Grand Slam on seven occasions since returning to the tour after giving birth to her daughter three years ago. The 31-year-old has turned what could have been a pause into another chapter—one that keeps extending into the biggest weeks of the sport.
Kostyuk, eight years younger, is experiencing something only a few of her peers get to feel. This is just the second time she has reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament. She previously made the last eight at the 2024 Australian Open.
When two Ukrainian players reach this stage together, it’s still rare enough to feel historic. It’s only the second time that two Ukrainian players have reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament.
Johanna Konta, the former British women’s number one, captured the moment in her own way. Speaking to TNT Sports. she said: “What a time for Ukrainian tennis.” She added: “To have these two women. and the kind of women that Svitolina and Kostyuk are – they’re incredibly well-spoken. inspirational and philanthropic – they really exemplify more than just the sport and it’s brilliant to see.”.
Kostyuk framed the matchup not as rivalry for its own sake. but as a chance to share a court with someone who has already carried much of the country’s spotlight. Facing her compatriot, Kostyuk said: “We have a really good relationship. She’s a legend of Ukrainian tennis and it’s such an honour to share the court with her.”.
Then she pointed to what the moment means beyond one match: “She’s paved the way for a lot of Ukrainian girls and boys. She’s doing great, especially this year, she’s doing unbelievable. I’m so excited for this match.”
The quarter-final is set. What makes it bigger than a draw is the way it threads together achievement, history, and the obvious weight of expectation—carried, for once, by more than just one player.
French Open 2026 Roland Garros Elina Svitolina Marta Kostyuk all-Ukraine quarter-final Ukrainian tennis women’s singles quarter-finals Open era Johanna Konta