Ukrainian Player Reaches French Open Semifinals After Quarterfinal Win

Marta Kostyuk defeated fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in the French Open quarterfinals on Tuesday. Kostyuk improved her 2026 clay-court record to 17-0 and became the first Ukrainian woman to reach the French Open semifinals in the professional era since 1968.

Kostyuk leads her next opponent 2-0 in head-to-head meetings, including a win in the Madrid final last month. The quarterfinals were played under the closed roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier after rain arrived following a week of hot weather. Kostyuk did not shake hands at the net, following a protocol observed by Ukrainian players when facing opponents from Russia or Belarus since the war began four years ago.

Kostyuk dedicated the victory to Ukraine after learning of overnight strikes on Kyiv and other cities that killed at least 18 civilians and wounded more than 100 others. >"We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, so many people dead.

I want to give this match to Ukrainian people and to their resilience. ]" — Marta Kostyuk, June 2, 2026 (ESPN) Elina Svitolina said she learned of the attacks early Tuesday morning from friends in Ukraine and described the ongoing heaviness and uncertainty.

Svitolina will leave Roland Garros to care for her daughter with husband Gael Monfils but said she will watch and cheer for Kostyuk from afar. >"I will be watching the match and definitely cheering for her, hopefully that she can get the title. " — Elina Svitolina, June 2, 2026 (ESPN) Her next opponent said the nationality of the player does not affect focus.

"Well, for me it doesn't matter who I play. I really try to play against the ball that is coming at me," the opponent said.