PARIS — Marta Kostyuk, the standout player on clay this season and a passionate advocate for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia, is set to play in her inaugural major semifinal at the French Open against a Russian opponent.
Kostyuk triumphed in a fiercely contested all-Ukrainian quarterfinal, defeating Elina Svitolina with scores of 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 on Tuesday. This victory paves the way for her clash with Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva, who overwhelmed Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea by 6-0, 6-3.
In men’s action, 20-year-old Jakub Mensik halted the impressive run of Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, securing a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (3) win.
“This is definitely one of my best performances to date,” Mensik shared.
The 19-year-old Fonseca notably defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a gripping five-set match in the third round and followed that up by taking out two-time runner-up Casper Ruud in the fourth round.
Mensik had to overcome painful cramps after edging past Mariano Navone in a dramatic fifth-set tiebreaker in the second round, and he also fought through five sets to advance against Andrey Rublev in the fourth round.
To secure his spot in Sunday’s final, Mensik will face the second-seeded Alexander Zverev, the 2024 runner-up, who defeated the rising Spanish talent Rafael Jodar 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-3.
Kostyuk boasts a 2-0 lead over Andreeva on the tour, including a victory at the Madrid final just a month ago. Protocol has led Kostyuk to refrain from shaking hands at the net with her Russian and Belarusian opponents since the conflict began.
“Last night was particularly devastating in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, where many lives were lost,” Kostyuk expressed. “I dedicate this match to the resilient people of Ukraine. Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!)”
In a recent barrage, Russia unleashed hundreds of drones and numerous missiles on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, resulting in at least 18 civilian deaths and injuring over 100 others, according to reports.
“I reached out to my family to check on them. There’s not much else I can do,” Kostyuk said. “The most significant action I can take is to raise awareness, ensuring that more people are informed about this tragic reality.”
Svitolina revealed that friends in Ukraine had informed her of the attacks just hours prior to their match.
“It’s incredibly sad that we all have to endure this heaviness and pain daily, facing frightening uncertainty about what the next day holds,” Svitolina remarked.
Although Svitolina will be leaving Roland Garros to care for her daughter with French tennis star Gael Monfils, she will be fervently supporting Kostyuk.
“I hope she can clinch the title; it would mean so much for Ukraine,” Svitolina encouraged.
Seeded seventh, Svitolina started slowly but eventually matched Kostyuk’s formidable power from the baseline. In the crucial points of the deciding set, Kostyuk emerged victorious, extending her flawless clay record in 2026 to 17-0.
She has now made history as the first Ukrainian woman since 1968 to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros in the Open era. While Svitolina has reached the semifinals in the other three Grand Slams, she has yet to conquer the French Open quarterfinal.
Andreeva is gearing up for her second French Open semifinal, two years after making her first appearance. She was asked about the unique challenges of competing against a Ukrainian in wartime.
“For me, it doesn’t matter who my opponent is,” Andreeva stated. “I am focused on the ball coming at me. Typically, my concentration is solely on my game and tactics.”
When questioned about the frustration of witnessing Russian players sidestep the issue, Kostyuk expressed a desire for more clarity on the ongoing situation.
“Especially when your country is responsible for taking innocent lives,” she added. “It’s unfathomable how one can find peace at night while knowing these atrocities are occurring without a word of protest.”
After a week of sweltering heat, rain swept into Paris, and matches were played under the closed roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier. Cirstea, competing in the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years, struggled to find her rhythm against her young adversary.
The 36-year-old, who is in the final season of her career, opened with a service drop. It wasn’t until the first game of the second set that she finally held serve. Andreeva’s precise groundstrokes and swift charges to the net proved too much for the 18th-seeded Cirstea, whose comeback attempts fell short.
“I believe this was one of my best matches in the tournament so far,” Andreeva reflected. “I’m thrilled to be back in the semifinals.”
