Kostyuk crushed as Andreeva reaches final

Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk had a brief moment of hope as the roof was closed over her French Open semi-final, with a comeback dream snuffed out in a 6-1, 6-3 win by Mirra Andreeva on Thursday.

Kostyuk came into the match played on a day of rain and riding a 17-match win streak on clay.

But her teenaged opponent reached the Saturday final in 76 minutes with a dominating performance, taking revenge for a loss in the Madrid final to Kostyuk.

The 19-year-old will wait for an opponent from Polish qualifier Maya Chwalinska and Diana Shnaider.

Andreeva could become the third-youngest first-time Grand Slam champion this century should she win the title after Maria Sharapova (17) and Emma Raducanu (18).

The eighth-seeded winner admitted the scoreline was not indicative of a match played partly in swirling wind and then calm conditions when the Chatrier court roof was closed for light rain.

“I was very nervous before the match,” Andreeva said. “She’s a tough opponent who’s had an amazing season. She puts a lot of pressure on you.

“I’m super happy with the way I played and I’m happy I got revenge for Madrid and made a Grand Slam final.”

The winner admitted: “I’ve never felt anything like this before. I’m very excited for the last match (final) in Paris.”

Andreeva started out on a roll, reaching 4-0 before Kostyuk finally held after saving five break points in the fifth game.

But another break of the No. 15 handed the set to Andreeva, who reached 4-1 in the second before the roof began to move.

The change in environment sparked Kostyuk to a break of Andreeva, for 3-4 after a game which included a 26-shot rally and a double-fault from the teenager.

But a break for 5-3 and a concluding 34th unforced error from Kostyuk sealed the win, 35th of the season for Andreeva.

“Conditions were very tough with the wind,” the winner said. “I didn.t know from  which direction it would come.

“I told myself to focus and just accept everything that happened on the court. Anything could happen, it was very unpredictable.

“But I won the match with this mindset and I’m very happy about that.”