Andreeva Defeats Kostyuk 6-1 6-3 to Reach First French Open Final

Mirra Andreeva defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-1 6-3 in the French Open women's singles semi-final at Roland Garros on Thursday. The 19-year-old Russian, seeded eighth, reached her first Grand Slam final. Andreeva had advanced to the same stage at the tournament in 2024.

Kostyuk, 23 and seeded 15th, had entered the match on an 18-match clay-court winning streak after beating Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals. Kostyuk had also defeated Andreeva 6-3 7-5 in the Madrid Open final last month. No handshake occurred after that match.

Ukrainian players have not shaken hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents since Russia's full-scale invasion began four years ago. Andreeva will face the winner of the other semi-final between Diana Shnaider and Maja Chwalinska. Shnaider, 22, reached her first major semi-final by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.

Reuters reported that Shnaider defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open quarter-finals. Reuters reported that Shnaider reached her first major semi-final. Kostyuk said a missile struck a building 100 metres from her family home in Kyiv during recent Russian attacks.

"The biggest thing I can do is sit here and talk about [the war] so more people can find out about it and don't get used to this terrible life," she said after the Svitolina match. Reuters reported that Kostyuk stated that the biggest thing she can do is talk about the war so more people learn about it and do not get used to this life. Andreeva has declined to discuss the war.

Kostyuk said before the match that the opponent did not change her approach. "It doesn't matter who I play. I really try to play against the ball that is coming at me," she said.

Reuters reported that Marta Kostyuk had won 18 consecutive matches on clay entering the match. Reuters reported that Marta Kostyuk has dedicated each of her Roland Garros victories to Ukraine. Reuters reported that Marta Kostyuk was seeded 15th at the French Open.

Reuters reported that Mirra Andreeva reached the French Open semi-finals in 2024.

Reuters reported that Marta Kostyuk has said the war leaves sport as the only way for her to escape.