Ukrainian player reaches French Open semifinals on 17-match clay streak

Marta Kostyuk will become the first Ukrainian woman to reach the French Open semifinals when she faces Mirra Andreeva on Thursday. Kostyuk reached the third round of the Australian Open at age 15. She did not win another Grand Slam match for nearly three years and did not advance past the fourth round of a major until the 2024 Australian Open.

Path to the semifinals Kostyuk won titles in Rouen and Madrid this year.

She enters the semifinal on a 17-match winning streak on clay. She said she has given herself space to breathe in 2026. "I'm enjoying more, just creating points, dealing with challenges, learning how to navigate the difficult situations in the matches," she said.

Coaching change Kostyuk's mother, a former professional, guided her early career.

In August 2023 she hired Sandra Zaniewska, a former Polish player, as coach. Kostyuk credited Zaniewska with improving her consistency and mental approach. "I think she deserves all [the praise] because she really gave her soul for this work with me," Kostyuk said.

Kostyuk has shown improved court coverage at Roland Garros and leads most players in winners hit during the tournament. She described herself as the most consistent she has been in her career.