Andreeva and Kostyuk reach French Open semi-finals, set up Russia-Ukraine duel

Andreeva dismantles Cirstea

Mirra Andreeva, the 19-year-old Russian, crushed Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-0 6-3 in only 56 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where the roof was closed due to rain. The world No. 8 ripped through the first set in 24 minutes and never faced a break point. “I’m super happy I was able to play aggressive,” Andreeva said after her 16th main-draw win in Paris this century, the most by any teenager. Cirstea, 36, in her final season, had not reached a Roland Garros quarterfinal since 2009. Andreeva’s only blemish since the second round was dropping 14 games across three matches; she now matches her 2024 semi-final run.

Kostyuk breaks new ground for Ukraine

Marta Kostyuk, 23, outlasted compatriot Elina Svitolina 6-3 2-6 6-2 in the first all-Ukrainian Grand Slam quarterfinal. With the victory, Kostyuk became the first Ukrainian woman ever to reach the French Open singles semi-finals. She arrived in Paris undefeated on clay this season, having won the Madrid title. Svitolina, the world No. 7 and recent Rome champion, fell to her sixth quarterfinal loss here. Kostyuk, who had eliminated four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the previous round, closed the match with a surge of 12 of the last 13 points.

Volleys from a war zone

The match was freighted with emotion. Hours earlier, Russian missile strikes killed at least 18 people in Kyiv and Kharkiv, and Kostyuk had earlier revealed a missile landed near her family’s home during the first week. Tearing up on court, she dedicated the win:

We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, so many people dead, and I want to give this match to the Ukrainian people and to their resilience.

Svitolina, a long-time advocate for her war-torn country, embraced her younger opponent at net. The all-Ukraine clash took place under the closed roof in steady Paris rain, with both women having honed their clay-court games in the shadow of war.

Semi-final showdown

Andreeva and Kostyuk now meet Thursday for a place in the final. In their only two meetings this year, Kostyuk has won both in straight sets, including the final of the Madrid WTA 1000. The Russian teen leads a draw stripped of defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time winner Swiatek. For Kostyuk, a first major final is within reach; for Andreeva, a chance to surpass her 2024 semi.

Kostyuk wins

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Kostyuk wins

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Andreeva wins

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