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

A Ukrainian player will play in the French Open semifinals on Thursday, becoming the first woman from her country to reach that stage at Roland Garros. She will face a Russian opponent after posting a 17-match winning streak on clay. The run follows titles won earlier this year in Rouen and Madrid.

Path from junior success to major results The player reached the third round of the Australian Open at age 15 after winning the junior title there the previous year. 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.

In 2026 she said she has reduced pressure on herself. "I'm enjoying more, just creating points, dealing with challenges, learning how to navigate the difficult situations in the matches," she said.

Coaching change and technical adjustments Her mother, a former professional, guided her early career. In August 2023 the player hired a coach from Poland and worked on consistency and mental approach. "I think she deserves all [the praise] because she really gave her soul for this work with me," the player said of the coach.

" Her movement has improved, particularly side-to-side coverage, while she continues to hit a high number of winners. She recorded 172 winners across five matches at the tournament, ranking fourth overall. "I'm the most consistent I have ever been in my career," she said.