Kostyuk beats Svitolina, becomes first Ukrainian in Roland-Garros semifinals

Marta Kostyuk’s win over Elina Svitolina at Roland-Garros landed on two tracks at once: it was a three-set quarterfinal decided by force and nerve, and it was a first for Ukrainian women’s tennis in Paris. The 23-year-old beat Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 on Tuesday on Court Philippe-Chatrier to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal, according to Roland-Garros. Tournament organizers said the result made her the first Ukrainian woman in the Open era to reach the Roland-Garros semifinals. ### How did Kostyuk get through an all-Ukrainian quarterfinal? Tuesday’s match turned after Marta Kostyuk reset in the third set. Roland-Garros said Kostyuk took the opener 6-3, dropped the second 2-6, and then pulled away 6-2 to close out a “particularly poignant day” against compatriot Elina Svitolina. (rolandgarros.com) Elina Svitolina had entered the quarterfinal on a 10-match clay winning streak, according to Roland-Garros’ earlier tournament coverage. That set up an all-Ukrainian meeting after Svitolina said before the match that “there’s going to be Ukraine in the semifinal,” whatever the result. ### Why is the result historic for Ukraine? (rolandgarros.com) Roland-Garros said the semifinal berth is Kostyuk’s first at a major. The tournament’s official match report also identified her as the first Ukrainian woman in the Open era, which began in 1968, to reach the last four in Paris. Ukraine has had deep runs in Paris before, but not this one in the women’s singles draw. (rolandgarros.com) Roland-Garros noted before the quarterfinal that Svitolina was trying to complete a career set of Grand Slam semifinals, while Kostyuk was playing for her first. ### What does 17-0 on clay actually tell us? (rolandgarros.com) The number attached to Kostyuk’s run is 17-0. Roland-Garros said the world No. 15 is now the only WTA player unbeaten on clay in 2026 after the Svitolina win. That streak had already become notable before the quarterfinal. Roland-Garros reported after Kostyuk’s fourth-round upset of Iga Swiatek that she had improved to 16 straight clay wins, then extended it one match later against Svitolina. (rolandgarros.com) Her player profile on the tournament site says she broke through in 2026 with a title in Madrid. (rolandgarros.com) ### What did Kostyuk say after the match? CNN reported that Kostyuk dedicated the victory to “the Ukrainian people” after the match. The network described the quarterfinal as emotional because it came between two Ukrainian players with Russia’s war on Ukraine still shaping the backdrop to their careers. Roland-Garros has also documented that backdrop during the tournament. (rolandgarros.com) In first-round coverage last week, the tournament site said Kostyuk had been dealing with news from Kyiv after a missile strike near her family’s home, and quoted her saying she had to “deal with it and go out and play.” (edition.cnn.com) ### Who is waiting in the semifinal? Mirra Andreeva is next. Roland-Garros said the No. 8 seed reached the semifinals by beating Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3 on Tuesday, returning to the last four in Paris for the second time in three years. Thursday is the date attached to the next step. (rolandgarros.com) Roland-Garros’ daily wrap said Kostyuk will be back on Thursday to face Andreeva, and the tournament’s semifinal match page lists the women’s singles meeting as upcoming in Paris. (rolandgarros.com 1) (rolandgarros.com 2)