Roland Garros 2026 Women’s Day 10

Marta Kostyuk fought back tears in a wave of emotion after becoming the first Ukrainian to reach a Grand Slam semi-final with her 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 Tuesday win over compatriot and friend Elina Svitolina.

The 15th seed who has won her last 17 clay matches this season dedicated the win to the suffering of her fellow citizens who endured another night of Russian attacks in Kyiv and elsewhere.

“This was an historic match I played today with Elina,” the winner said. “It was another difficult night in Ukraine, so many people died.

“I give this match (win) to the Ukrainian people and their resilience.”

The seventh-seeded Svitolina was playing a Roland Garros quarter-final for the sixth time.

After splitting sets with her countrywoman, she was unable to break free in the deciding third, where the first five games went against serve.

Kostyuk instead made her move, holding for 4-2 and breaking for a 5-2 margin. She fired an ace in the next game to set up three match points and secured the win with an untouchable serve winner out wide in just under two hours.

“I’m very happy I found a way after the first two sets, here I had not been aggressive enough” the winner said. “I found my rhythm.

“But I kept asking myself how I wanted to play if I wanted to win the tournament.  This was the answer and it worked.

“But the trophy is still far away, I would have two more matches. But I’m excited for Thursday, (semi-final).” 

Kostyuk will now play Russian-born Mirra Andreeva, who boosted her chances of cracking the  ranking top 5 as she ended the Roland Garros career of Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3.

Eighth seed Andreeva, aged 20, moved into her second semi-final here after first reaching the final four in 2024. She could break into the elite by reaching the Saturday final.

The French-based player overwhelmed a 36-year-old opponent who is sticking to the decision that this will be her last Tour season.

Andreeva, 19, swept the opening set in 22 minutes and emerged from a second-set run of three consecutive breaks of serve to tighten her grip on victory.

She finished in a concluding break of Cirstea with a forehand winner on match point to advance in 57 minutes over her regular 2026 practice partner.

“I knew the match would not be easy, and that I would have to put in 200 per cent of intensity and focus,” Andreeva said.

“She played aggressive and put the pressure on me. I’m happy I was able to do play aggressive throughout the whole match.

“Today my game felt on point.”

Andreeva’s victory was her 20th on clay this season from 23 matches played on the surface, the most on the WTA.

Main photo:- Marta Kostyuk celebrates beating compatriot – WTATennis.com