Fifteenth seed will face Andreeva in French Open semi-final after beating compatriot Svitolina day after deadly attack on homeland
Marion Bartoli (left), who conducted the on-court interview, hugs an emotional Marta Kostyuk Credit: Christophe Petit Tesson/Shutterstock
Sonia Twigg Women’s Sport Reporter, at Roland Garros
Sonia Twigg primarily writes about cricket, tennis and football. After starting her career at the Press Association, she has covered England Test tours overseas as well as tennis majors. She has been at the Telegraph since 2024. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @twiggsonia.
Published 02 June 2026
Marta Kostyuk dedicated her historic French Open quarter-final win over fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina to the people of her homeland, after a heavy Russian attack killed 18 people overnight.
Following the 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win that made Kostyuk the first Ukrainian woman to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros, she burst into tears in her post-match interview.
After regaining her composure, Kostyuk said: “I want to start with this historical match that we played today with Elina.
“We had a difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, so many people did, and I want to give this match to the Ukrainian people and to their resilience.”
The match itself was a momentous occasion, two Ukrainians, both ranked inside the world’s top 15 took to a closed-roof Court Philippe-Chatrier as yellow-and-blue flags were dotted around the two tiers of spectators.
On Monday, Russia deployed one of its biggest attacks in the last few months, with two children among the victims of an offensive that involved the use of missiles and drones.
Kostyuk will take on 19-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals. The win over Svitolina was her 17th successive victory in what has been a remarkable clay-court season.
All those left in the women’s singles come from Eastern Europe, with Anna Kalinskaya, Andreeva, Diana Shnaider and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka all coming from either Russia or Belarus. None have criticised the Russian government.
When asked about playing against Ukrainian players, both Andreeva and Shnaider have said they are playing the ball coming at them not the opponent.
For Kostyuk, it is not as simple as that: “They are all grown-ups. They know what they’re talking about. They know what’s going on. They have phones. They have Instagram. They have news. They are clearly aware of what’s going on.”
She added: “Obviously not much I can do about it. I wish there was some more clear stance on what’s going on, especially when your country is killing other people. I don’t know how you can sleep at night peacefully when you know that this is going on, and you have nothing to say about it.”
Tennis may offer an escape, but the reality of life in Ukraine is never far from the minds of those representing their nation on the global stage. It was only a week ago that Kostyuk was in tears after a match on the day that Russian missiles narrowly missed her parents’ home where her mother, sister and great-aunt were sleeping.
Compatriots Kostyuk (left) and Elina Svitolina share an embrace at the net following the conclusion of their match Credit: Christophe Petit/Shutterstock
Kostyuk is no different, signing off her on-court interview with a plea to those in Philippe-Chatrier to donate to her or Svitolina’s charitable foundations supporting sport and tennis in Ukraine.
While others might tire of hearing about this reality, for Kostyuk and her family, who lived without electricity for two to three days in -20 degrees during one of the winters since war broke out in 2022, it is inescapable.
On the match against Svitolina, she said: “I checked the news and everyone who was congratulating me, there were a lot of people watching.
“I think it was [an] important match for Ukraine. Obviously I wish this match was in the final, but we have what we have.”
‘I stand against evil’: Ukrainian player puts war back in spotlight
And now she must play some putinaZi cunt in the next match.
Russia is a fascist state ruled by a sadistic child-murderer.
It is an absolute obscenity that sporting links are still permitted.
Comment from :
Huy V Rot
It’s sick that the Russians and Belarusians are allowed to play. It is also highly unfair that the Ukrainian players have to deal with blackouts, water cuts and bombings in the day and at night, which lead to a lack of rest and concentration, while the Russian and Belarusian players can train without worrying about any of that. Ban them!
Chris Hare
While putin and his fellow degenerates attack the homes of women and children, Ukraine is dismantling the whole rotten Muscovite empire.
It will soon collapse completely 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Russell Jones
My wife is Welsh born to a Welsh mum and Ukrainian father.
About one year into the recent conflict approximately 3 yrs ago, Elina contacted me by DM on twitter as I openly supported Ukrainian tennis players.
I appreciated the contact and shared with my wife the kindness and appreciation of the support given.
Sean O Hennessy
Andreeva shouldn’t be playing. Neither should Sabalenka and many others. No other sport allows Russians and Belarusians to compete. What’s wrong with tennis? I hope Kostyuk thrashes Andreeva. Slavi Ukraini.
Hilary Deighton
Well done both ladies. You do your country proud.
I think everyone in the stadium will be pulling for Marta and that’s something the Moskal demon spawn will have to deal with. I hope the French drug test them too.
I hope Marta 💝 will sweep the ruSSian slut 🪳 off the court!