Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk reacts throughout her fourth spherical match in opposition to Poland’s Iga Swiatek on Might 31, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Marta Kostyuk reached the quarterfinals on the French Open for the primary time on Sunday (Might 31, 2026) by taking out four-time champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 and ruining her birthday.
Kostyuk, who’s undefeated on clay this season, had misplaced their three earlier matches and by no means taken a set in opposition to the previous top-ranked participant, who turned 25 on Sunday (Might 31).
She defended extraordinarily nicely, chasing Swiatek’s photographs all around the courtroom, and in addition produced some gorgeous groundstroke winners whereas her rival was additionally undone by her personal errors.
An intense baseline battle unfolded from the outset and Swiatek earned the primary break when she overwhelmed Kostyuk after a protracted rally with a backhand winner.
Kostyuk broke again instantly, although, solely to drop her serve once more and hand Swiatek a 5-4 lead.
The Polish participant confirmed indicators of nerves as she double-faulted, shanked a forehand broad after which missed a volley on the web, permitting Kostyuk to stage at 5-5. Swiatek hit two extra double faults within the twelfth sport and the Fifteenth-seeded Ukrainian participant sealed the set with a backhand passing shot.
Swiatek then briefly left the courtroom. In the meantime, Kostyuk saved herself heat by stretching and hopping beside her chair, then obtained some applause as she did a number of dance strikes to the music enjoying within the stadium.
Following a primary week marked by a suffocating heatwave, reduction lastly arrived in Paris on Sunday, with temperatures dropping to 21 levels C (70 F) round noon.
When play resumed, Swiatek broke, however one more double fault coupled with extra unforced errors introduced her opponent again at 1-1. Kostyuk then gained the final 5 video games.
Kostyuk had reached the fourth spherical at Roland Garros in 2021, dropping to Swiatek.
The Fifteenth-ranked Ukrainian is in a powerful run of type and prolonged her successful streak on clay to 16 matches. Forward of Roland Garros, she gained in Madrid — the largest title of her profession — after she claimed one other clay-court title in Rouen, France.
Swiatek has not gained a title on clay for the reason that 2024 French Open.
Printed – Might 31, 2026 05:14 pm IST
