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Marta Kostyuk, the standout performer of the clay-court season and a vocal supporter of Ukraine in the ongoing battle, will face Russian teenager Mira Andreeva in her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland-Garros.
Kostyuk won an intense and emotional all-Ukraine quarter-final against Elina Svitolina on Tuesday, setting up a showdown against Russian teenager Andreeva, who beat Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstia 6-0 6-3.
Kostyuk leads Andreeva 2-0 on tour, a second win in the Madrid Open final a month ago. Kostyuk then did not shake hands at the net, following protocol for Ukrainians with opponents in Russia and its ally Belarus since the war began four years ago.
Kostyuk, 23, dedicated his victory to the people of Ukraine as tears rolled down his cheeks during an interview in court.
“We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kiev, so many people died,” Kostyuk said. “I would like to dedicate this match to the people of Ukraine and their resilience. Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!)”
Russia fired hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against Kiev and other Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least 18 civilians and injuring more than 100, authorities said Tuesday.
“I texted my family asking if they were OK. That’s all I could do,” Kostyuk said. “All I can do is sit here and talk about it so more people know about it so they don’t have to live this terrible life.”
Svitolina said friends in Ukraine told her about the attack hours before the match.
“So sad that we all have to endure this heaviness and pain every day, and the fearful moments of not knowing what the next day is going to bring”.
“Hopefully he (Kostyuk) can get the title. It’s going to be huge for Ukraine.”
No. 7 seed Svitolina got off to a slow start but came back to match No. 15 Kostyuk’s strength from the baseline. Kostyuk was better in the decider and improved his impressive 2026 record on clay to 17-0.
She is the first Ukrainian woman to reach the semifinals at Roland-Garros since 1968 in the Open era. Svitolina reached the semifinals of three other Grand Slams but failed to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open for the sixth time.
Asked if he found it disappointing to hear the Russian opposition avoid the issue, Kostyuk said he wished “there was some clearer position on what’s going on.”
“Especially when your country is killing other people,” he added. “I don’t know how you can sleep peacefully at night when you know this is going on, and you have nothing to say about it.”
“If you don’t agree, there’s a way out. I know people who left Russia the moment the war started, who sold all their businesses, who left everything behind because they didn’t agree with what their country was doing to other people.
“After four years, I think they’ve made it very clear whose side they’re on.
“They’re all grown up. They know what they’re talking about. They know what’s going on. They have phones. They have Instagram. They have news.
“With everything that’s going on, it’s a real blessing for me to be here, and I don’t think about winning. I’m here to represent Ukraine and enjoy.”
Andreeva tears through Cirstea to return to Roland-Garros semi-finals
Russian teenager Andreeva stormed to a rain-soaked 6-0 6-3 French Open semi-final against Romanian veteran Cirstia, extending her impressive run in a Roland-Garros draw that has been stripped of many of its biggest names.
Indeed, Andreeva is now among the main contenders for a first Grand Slam title, with defending champion Coco Gough and four-time winner Iga Suatek out.
Andreeva will be making her second French Open semifinal appearance two years after her first. He was asked about the challenges of playing Ukrainian during the war.
“Well, for me it doesn’t matter who I play,” Andreeva said. “I really try to play against the ball coming my way. Usually it doesn’t matter to me who I’m playing against, so I’m really trying to focus on the game and the game plan.”
The 19-year-old wasted little time asserting herself in front of a raucous crowd under the roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier, racing through the opening set in 24 minutes.
Sarstia, making her third Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance in her final year on the circuit, settled herself early in the second set and recovered a break at 3-3, but the 36-year-old Andreeva could not stop the juggernaut.
An error from Andreeva Sarstier’s racket forced a break again and she sealed the win with a forehand bullet before walking to the net to give her defeated opponent a warm hug.
“I’m very happy that I was able to play aggressively,” said Andreeva, who became the teenager with the most Paris main draw wins this century with her 16th win.
“The last time I played with him, it was a very difficult battle. Every practice with him is very difficult. We have already practiced 10 times this year and we know each other well.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and I had to give my 200 percent intensity and focus, because he’s going to be aggressive and he’s going to put pressure on me every time.”
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