War horror rips through French Open

Sobbing Kostyuk shows journalists photograph of building on fire near her home

An emotional Marta Kostyuk was consoled by former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli during her post-match interview

A tearful Marta Kostyuk dedicated her French Open quarter-final against compatriot Elina Svitolina to Ukraine after she made history to reach the last four in Paris.

Kostyuk and Svitolina took to court the day after a missile and drone attack killed at least 18 people across Ukraine.
Speaking on court following her 6-3 2-6 6-2 win, Kostyuk said: “We had another difficult night in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv where so many people died, so I want to give this match to Ukraine.”

“[I’m] just very sad that we all have to put up with this heaviness and pain every single day, scared moments not knowing what the next day is going to bring for our family, for our friends, and for Ukraine in general.”

She began this French Open with a gritty victory in what she called “one of the most difficult matches” of her life, later showing journalists a photograph of a building on fire just 100 metres from her family home after Russian missiles struck Kyiv.

Asked about the importance of having Ukrainian representation in the tournament’s latter stages, Svitolina, 31, said: “It’s a big inspiration for the next generation. I think this is great for sports in general in Ukraine.

The 23-year-old outlasted seventh seed Svitolina - who she earlier described as “a legend of Ukrainian tennis” - in a deciding set in the first major quarter-final between two Ukrainian women in history.

Kostyuk is the first Ukrainian woman in the Open era to reach the singles semi-finals at Roland Garros - and she achieved the feat with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine never far from her mind.

Kostyuk teared up as she was given a lengthy ovation by the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, with interviewer Marion Bartoli stepping in to hug her.

She also paid tribute to four-time major semi-finalist Svitolina, saying: “I want to point out Elina’s incredible impact on tennis, Ukrainians and me. She is incredible.”

The first Ukrainian singles player to reach the last four at the French Open since Andrei Medvedev in 1999, Kostyuk will face Russian Mirra Andreeva for a place in Saturday’s final. 

(BBC sport)