Marta Kostyuk has made history by becoming the first Ukrainian woman to reach the semi-finals of Roland-Garros, overcoming her compatriot Elina Svitolina in a three-set match. The No.15 seed, who has been in excellent form this season with titles in Rouen and Madrid, previously upset four-time champion Iga Swiatek and then came back from losing the middle set to Svitolina to win 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. However, her journey to the semi-finals is not just about tennis; it’s also about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The 23-year-old player broke down in tears after her first-round victory, revealing that a Russian missile strike had destroyed a building close to her family’s home in Kyiv. “If it had been 100 metres closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mother and a sister,” she said at the time. Her recent success has brought attention to the destruction in Ukraine, where the war continues to claim lives and cause devastation.
Kostyuk used her semi-final victory as a platform to highlight the situation in Ukraine, dedicating the match to the resilience of the Ukrainian people. She will now face Russian player Mirra Andreeva, who defeated Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3. Kostyuk emphasized the difficult conditions in Kyiv, stating, “We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, and I want to give this match to the Ukrainian people and their resilience.”
Throughout her career, Kostyuk has praised fellow Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova for speaking out against the silence of Russian and Belarusian players during the war. However, Kostyuk admitted she no longer has the emotional energy to do the same. “I saw the bombing started last night already in the evening, but I never follow news during the night. I mean, I will change absolutely nothing, and I will just not get any sleep,” she said. She explained that she tries to separate her personal life from her professional responsibilities, but the impact of the war is unavoidable.
Unlike Russian-born Daria Kasatkina, who has spoken out against the Putin regime and now represents Australia, some Russian players, including Andreeva, have avoided political commentary, focusing solely on tennis. Kostyuk expressed frustration with their silence, saying, “After four years, I think they’ve made it very clear whose side they are on.”
Svitolina, who is married to French star Gael Monfils, started her Roland-Garros campaign strongly but fell behind Kostyuk early in the match. She managed to turn the tables in the second set, winning all 10 points when she ventured to the net, forcing a third set. The final set was a tense battle, with Kostyuk eventually taking control and advancing to the semi-finals with a strong performance.
Alexander Zverev’s journey to the semi-finals has been marked by both challenges and determination. As the top seed in the absence of Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev faced Spanish prodigy Rafael Jodar and overcame a 5-2 deficit to win 7-6 (7-3), 6-1, 6-3. Despite his success, Zverev’s reaction to reaching the semi-finals was understated. “Not really. I don’t really care,” he said, emphasizing his focus on the upcoming matches rather than past achievements.
Zverev’s path to the final is now blocked by Czech player Jakub Mensik, who defeated Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca in a thrilling three-set match. Mensik, who joins an elite group of Czech men to reach the semi-finals, showed remarkable resilience, rallying from a break down in the third set twice.
This year’s Roland-Garros has seen several high-profile players fall early, creating opportunities for emerging talents. Top seeds like Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz were eliminated in the early rounds, leaving Zverev as one of the favorites for the title. However, Zverev’s reputation is complicated by past controversies, including domestic violence allegations. His critics have not forgotten these incidents, even after his recent victories.
Despite the challenges, Zverev remains focused on his goal of winning a grand slam title. With the support of fans and the attention of the tennis world, he has never had a better chance to achieve this milestone.
Key points:
– Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk advanced to the semi-final with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win over compatriot Elina Svitolina.
– Her opponent will be Russian Mirra Andreeva, who defeated Romanian Sorana Cirstea, 6-0, 6-3.
– In the men’s draw, Alexander Zverev’s quest for a maiden grand slam title remains on track after his 7-6 (7-3), 6-1, 6-3 victory over Spanish whizkid Rafael Jodar.
– His semi-final opponent will be Czech Jakub Mensik, who beat Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
