Marta Kostyuk, the standout performer of the clay-court season and a vocal supporter of Ukraine amid the ongoing war, will face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in her first Grand Slam semi-final at Roland-Garros.
Kostyuk won an intense and emotional all-Ukraine quarter-final against Elina Svitolina 6-3 2-6 6-2 on Tuesday, setting up a contest against Russian teenager Andreeva, who thumped Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea 6-0 6-3.
Kostyuk leads Andreeva 2-0 on the tour, the second win in the Madrid Open final a month ago. Kostyuk didn't shake hands at the net then, following protocol for Ukrainians with opponents from Russia and its ally Belarus since the war started four years ago.
The 23-year-old Kostyuk dedicated her victory to the Ukrainian people as tears rolled down her cheeks during the on-court interview.
"We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, so many people dead," Kostyuk said. "I want to give this match to Ukrainian people and to their resilience. Slava Ukraini! [Glory to Ukraine!]"
Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least 18 civilians and wounding more than 100 others, authorities said on Tuesday.
"I texted my family if they were okay. This is pretty much all I can do," Kostyuk said. "The biggest thing I can do is sit here and talk about it so more people can find out about it so they don't get used to this terrible life."
Svitolina said friends in Ukraine told her about the attacks just hours before the match.
"Just very sad that we all have to really put up with this heaviness and pain every single day, and scared moments not knowing what's going to bring the next day," Svitolina said.
"Hopefully she [Kostyuk] can get the title. It's going to be massive for Ukraine."
No 7 seed Svitolina got off to a slow start but worked her way back, matching No 15 Kostyuk's power from the baseline. Kostyuk was better on the important points in the decider and improved her impressive 2026 record on clay to 17-0.
She's the first Ukrainian woman to reach the semi-finals at Roland-Garros in the Open era since 1968. Svitolina has reached the semis at the other three Grand Slams but failed for the sixth time to win a French Open quarter-final.
Asked whether she found it frustrating to hear Russian opponents avoiding the issue, Kostyuk said she wished "there was some more clear stance on what's going on."
"Especially when your country is killing other people," she added. "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."
"There is a way if you don't agree. I know some people who have left Russia the moment the war began, who sold all their business, who left everything behind because they just don't agree with what their country is doing to other people.
"After four years, I think they've made it very clear whose side they are on.
"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.
"With everything that's happening, for me being here is a real blessing, and I don't think about winning. I'm here to represent Ukraine and to enjoy."
Russian teenager Andreeva stormed into the French Open semi-finals with a 6-0 6-3 win over Romanian veteran Cirstea on a rain-soaked Tuesday, extending her impressive run in a Roland-Garros draw that has been stripped of many of its biggest names.
Indeed, Andreeva is now among the leading contenders for a maiden Grand Slam title with defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time winner Iga Swiatek out.
Andreeva will appear in her second French Open semi-final, two years after the first. She was asked about the challenges of playing a Ukrainian in wartime.
"Well, for me it doesn't matter who I play," Andreeva said. "I really try to play against the ball that is coming at me. Usually it doesn't matter to me who I'm playing against, so I'm trying to really focus on the game and on the game plan."
The 19-year-old wasted little time asserting herself in front of a sparse crowd beneath the Court Philippe-Chatrier roof, racing through the opening set in 24 minutes.
Cirstea, playing her third Grand Slam quarter-final in her final year on the circuit, steadied herself early in the second set and recovered a break at 3-3, but the 36-year-old could not halt the Andreeva juggernaut.
Andreeva forced an error from Cirstea's racket to break again and she closed out the victory with a forehand bullet, before walking to the net to give her beaten opponent a warm hug.
"I'm super happy I was able to play aggressive," said Andreeva, who became the teenager with the most Paris main draw victories this century with her 16th win.
"The last time I played her, it was a very tough battle. Every practice with her is very tough. We've practised 10 times already this year and we know each other well.
"I knew it wouldn't be easy and I'd have to 200 per cent of my intensity and focus, as she would look to be aggressive and pressure me whenever she could."
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