Swiatek’s four-match streak as the French Open continues to bring surprises | Tennis

Swiatek lost in straight sets to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the round of 16 a day after Gauff was eliminated.

Iga Swiatek’s 25th birthday celebrations turned sour at the French Open when the former champion was eliminated by 15th seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in straight sets in the round of 16.

In pursuit of a fifth Roland Garros title, Swiatek cruised to a 7-5, 6-1 victory on Sunday, following a series of events at this year’s tournament in the French capital.

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The number one man in the world Jannik SinnerNovak Djokovic is the 24-time Grand Slam champion and women’s champion Coco Gauff both exited in the last three days, with Swiatek’s exit followed by the loss of Chinese number one Wang Xinyu.

It leaves world number one Aryna Sabalenka the favorite to claim her first title in Paris, although Kostyuk will be one to watch as she builds on the strength that has helped her shine on clay this season.

“I would still be surprised,” said Kostyuk during an interview in court.

“I feel like I’ve given myself more time to just do something, challenge my opponents. I woke up in the morning and all I could think was ‘what an amazing day I’m going to have today… there’s nothing I can do but this one’.”

“I try not to think about winning and losing, because I don’t play tennis to win. I play tennis because I love it. I want to connect with people, I want to feel this energy … to make people happy and bring people together.”

There was little to separate the pair in the early exchanges as they traded doubles on the break, before Kostyuk reached game 11 and raised his level late to take the opening set with a backhand crosscourt winner.

It was the first time Kostyuk had taken the Pole’s third set after losing three in a row in their previous meetings, and he was upset when he went 3-1 up in the next set after fighting back.

The Rouen and Madrid champion held on from there to take her record on clay this season to 15-0, securing a meeting with seventh-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina or 11th-seeded Swiss Belinda Bencic in the next round.

Later, ⁠—Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea proved dreams never end as she beat Xinyu 6-3, 7-6(4) to reach her first Roland Garros quarterfinal in 17 years.

The 36-year-old, who is retiring at the end of the season, reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for only the third time in his career.

It will be her first quarter in the French capital since 2009 – the longest gap between the first quarter for a female soloist in the Open Era.

“I always think that there is no end to ambition and dreams. I love this game so much,” said Cirstea after the win.

“I love tennis so much and to be able to continue to play at this level – to have my family, my team, my neighborhood watching me – is a real joy.

“I think sometimes people put us in certain groups because of age, but I think in life you have the right to do whatever you want and I want to play. I’m here, thank you everyone for all your support.”