By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Picture credit score: Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty
Aerial acrobatics mark Marta Kostyuk’s flight path throughout this good clay marketing campaign.
Kostyuk famously flipped out after successful the Madrid last.
Right now, Kostyuk flew by means of 12 of the ultimate 13 factors heading off good pal and compatriot Elina Svitolina to soar into her maiden Roland Garros semifinal with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 triumph.
Within the first-ever all Ukrainian girls’s main quarterfinal, Kostyuk cracked 33 winners—10 greater than Svitolina—and asserted her all-court acumen within the decisive set. Kostyuk hit 17 of her 33 winners, together with 5 of six web factors, in that last set.
A streaking Kostyuk scored her seventeenth consecutive clay-court win—together with her Billie Jean King Cup triumph for Ukraine—and stand as the one girl undefeated on clay this season with an ideal 17-0 mark on filth.
Ukrainian flags had been flying within the stand as Kostyuk snapped Svitolina’s 10-match successful streak then paid tearful tribute to the pal she calls “a Ukrainian tennis legend” and the energy and resilience of the Ukrainian individuals who have empowered her throughout this dynamic filth run.
An emotional Kostyuk embraced Svitolina at web then cried throughout her on-court interview paying tribute to those that encourage her and dedicating this main second to the Ukrainian individuals.
“We’ve had some very tough nights once more in Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv,” Kostyuk stated. “So many individuals useless. I need to give this match to the Ukrainian individuals and their resilience. Thanks. Slava Ukraini.”
Beneath the closed Court docket Chatrier roof, Kostyuk confirmed excessive ceiling in a stirring near in the present day’s all-Ukrainian quarterfinal. Eight years after Svitolina swept Kostyuk, 6-2, 6-2, of their maiden assembly on the 2018 Australian Open, the fifteenth seed turned the tables in a close to flawless end to this match.
Spare a thought for Svitolina, who defeated Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff in succession to seize her third Rome championship final month however couldn’t sluggish an outstanding Kostyuk’s roll down the stretch in the present day.
“After all I need to level out Elina and her unimaginable affect on Ukrainian tennis and on Ukrainians and on me,” Kostyuk stated. “She’s an unbelievable fighter and I’m so glad to be by means of to the semifinals. And I need to thank her once more for this unimaginable match.”
The arrogance that comes from a 17-match successful streak empowered Kostyuk to swing freely at crunch time, Svitolina stated.
“Clearly, in a few weeks that she gained Madrid and actually had a flawless form of the spirit of time with so many wins,” Svitolina stated. “Yeah, I feel she’s enjoying actually, actually excessive stage and, yeah, deserves all this wins, deserves all of the titles across the starting, after which successful Madrid and, yeah, this nice streak.
“After all, you already know, that it’s regular that you simply get loads of confidence and play very free, you already know, in a manner. So, yeah, it’s nice what she does.”
The victory vaults Kostyuk right into a rematch of the Madrid last towards Russian Mirra Andreeva.
Earlier, the 19-year-old Andreeva crushed 36-year-old Romanian Sorana Cirstea, 6-0, 6-3 to storm into her second Roland Garros semifinal within the final three years.
The eighth-seeded Andreeva has gained 10 of 11 units she’s performed as she goals for a maiden main last two years after partnering Diana Shnaider to the Olympic doubles silver medal at Roland Garros.
“It’s going to be a really robust match,” Andreeva stated of the semifinal. “Clearly, there are not any simple opponents, particularly once you’re going to be enjoying the semifinal of a Grand Slam.
“I feel we’re simply going to attempt to put together my finest. I’m simply going to attempt to do every part I can on the court docket, combat, and we’ll see. The higher participant will win.”
Thirty-days in the past, all-court acrobat Kostyuk clipped Andreeva 6-3, 7-5 within the Mutua Madrid Open last then celebrated with a superb again flip.
Marta Kostyuk celebrates successful her 1st WTA 1000 title in Madrid by doing a BACKFLIP on court docket
AURA. pic.twitter.com/pg3fBIN1xC
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 2, 2026
In that match, Kostyuk cranked her inside-out forehand with precision, transformed all 4 break factors she earned and coated the court docket with vigor defeating Andreeva for the second time this season. Former gymnast Kostyuk caught the touchdown in Madrid and goals to proceed her ascent in Paris.
Flying off to a quick begin, Kostyuk gained eight of the primary 9 factors in seizing a 4-1 lead. Kostyuk broke for 5-3 then staved off two break factors to serve out a one-set lead.
Spreading the court docket with sharp angles and smooth contact, Svitolina carved a drop volley winner for break level. When Kostyuk’s working forehand down the road, Svitolina scored the primary break of the second set for 2-0.
The three-time Rome champion had gained all seven of her journeys to web within the set as she held for 4-1.
Altering path down the road successfully, Svitolina smacked a backhand down the road for a second set level. When Kostyuk’s working forehand discovered the web on the fifth shot of the rally, Svitolina broke once more to grab the second set and drive a decider after 77 minutes of play.
Whereas the 31-year-old Svitolina is the extra skilled participant, the 23-year-old Kostyuk was the aggressor because the compatriots performed one last set for a visit to the semifinals.
Resetting, the Madrid champion got here proper again to interrupt to start out the ultimate set. Kostyuk tried driving her two-hander down the road however lined the ball into web as Svitolina broke again within the second recreation.
Svitolina netted her third double fault as Kostyuk broke once more for a 2-1 lead within the decider.
Lifting her stage within the sixth recreation, Kostyuk slammed a smash, slid an ace out broad and fired a forehand forging a love maintain for a 4-2 lead.
Transferring fluidly, Kostyuk cracked a forehand cross and Svitolina netted the volley. That alternate gave Kostyuk her sixth service break and a 5-2 benefit.
Slashing her fourth ace introduced Kostyuk to triple match level. Kostyuk cracked a serve winner out broad sealing a robust efficiency in a single hour, 49 minutes.
Kostyuk pinned a loss on a Ukrainian legend and Svitolina stated she’ll be rooting for her compatriot to deliver the title house.
“I might be watching the match and undoubtedly cheering for her hopefully that she will get the title. I feel it’s
going to be large for Ukraine,” Svitolina stated.
