The 2026 edition of Roland Garros It will have a women’s semifinal marked by both the sporting aspect and the international context. The Ukrainian Marta Kostyukone of the most outstanding players of the season on clay, advanced to a Tall Slam semifinal for the first time and will face the Russian Mirra Andreevawho sealed their qualification after a resounding victory in the quarterfinals of the Parisian tournament.
Kostyuk got his pass after beat her compatriot Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6 and 6-2 in a duel between Ukrainian tennis players. Hours later, Andreeva, 19, eliminated the Romanian Sorana Cirstea with sets of 6-0 and 6-3 to ensure their presence among the four best in the contest. The confrontation takes on an additional dimension due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, an issue that has accompanied the women’s circuit since the beginning of the conflict four years ago.
Marta Kostyuk after reaching Roland Garros semi-finals:
“We played historic match this day with Elina. We had very complex evening again in Ukraine, especially Kyiv. So many of us slow. I want to give this match to Ukrainian of us and their resilience. Thanks. Slava Ukraini!? pic.twitter.com/id5OdmV8iC
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) June 2, 2026
Kostyuk herself once again referred to the situation her country is going through after finishing her match. The tennis player explained that the previous night was marked by new attacks on Ukrainian territory and dedicated her victory to her compatriots.
“We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in kyiv, with many people dead“, he declared. “I want to dedicate this match to the Ukrainian people and their resistance. Slav Ukraine! (Glory to Ukraine!).”
According to the authorities cited in the information provided, Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against kyiv and other Ukrainian cities during the night, causing at least 18 dead and more than a hundred injured.
A confrontation that transcends the field
The Ukrainian player revealed that, before going out on the court, she contacted family members to find out her situation after the attacks.
“I wrote to my family to see if they were okay. That’s pretty much all I can do.”he commented. “The most important thing I can do is sit here and talk about it so that more people know about it and don’t get used to this frightful life.”
Svitolina also made reference to the events that occurred in Ukraine and assured that she received news from friends a few hours before playing the match. “It is very sad that we all have to live with this burden and this pain every day, and with the fear of not knowing what the next day will bring,” he said.
After the elimination, Svitolina indicated that she will leave Paris to reunite with the daughter she has with French tennis player Gael Monfils, although she stated that she will continue supporting Kostyuk in the tournament. “I hope I can win the title. It would be huge for Ukraine,” he said.
On a strictly sporting level, Kostyuk has an advantage in direct confrontations against Andreeva. The Ukrainian dominates the series 2-0 and achieved the most recent of those victories during the final in Madrid played a month ago. As has happened in other matches between Ukrainian players and Russian or Belarusian rivals since the start of the war, there was no greeting on the network at the end of that match.
Andreeva, for her part, will play her second semifinal at Roland Garros. Asked about facing a Ukrainian rival in the middle of the conflict, she downplayed the political aspect and assured that her attention is focused solely on tennis.
“Well, for me it doesn’t matter who I play against,” he said. “I really try to play against the ball that’s coming at me. Normally I don’t care who’s on the other side of the net, so I try to focus on the game and the idea of the game.”
Kostyuk was also asked about the position of some Russian players regarding the war. “I wish there was a clearer position on what is happening,” he said. “Especially when your country is killing other people. I don’t know how you can sleep peacefully at night knowing this is happening and not have anything to say about it.”
Keep reading:
· Serena Williams returns to tennis at 44 years old
· The future of sport? Chinese humanoid robot learns to play tennis in record time
· Roland Garros sanctions Paraguayan tennis player for sexist statements
