In a surprising turn of events at the French Open, Iga Świątek, a four-time champion, was eliminated by Marta Kostyuk. This marked Świątek’s earliest defeat at the tournament since 2019. During the match, Świątek struggled with both her serve and shot choices. She had a prior 3-0 record against Kostyuk, but on Sunday, her form faltered.
Kostyuk clinched the match with a 7-5, 6-1 victory, marking her 16th consecutive win on clay in 2026. Her triumph added to the series of upsets dominating this year’s French Open, with the women’s draw also experiencing turbulence.
Kostyuk had never won a set against Świątek, a six-time Grand Slam champion. At 23, Kostyuk is showing renewed vigor. She recently secured her biggest career title at the Madrid Open, following a 250-level clay title at the Rouen Open.
After the match, Kostyuk expressed: “I feel like I’ve given myself more space to just create something, to challenge my opponents.” She spoke about starting the day with gratitude for playing on such a stage. Sunday’s opportunities aren’t taken lightly by Kostyuk. Before her first-round win over Oksana Selekhmeteva, Kostyuk faced a personal ordeal as a missile struck near her parents’ home in Kyiv.
Kostyuk shared that she had been emotionally distraught, fearing the loss of her family due to the proximity of the explosion.
In advancing to her second career Grand Slam quarterfinal and her first at the French Open, Kostyuk maintained composure despite cooler weather conditions. The first set saw Świątek breaking Kostyuk’s serve twice but immediately conceding breaks due to inconsistent serving. Świątek’s issues compounded in the second set, with Kostyuk delivering precise groundstrokes and effective passing shots. Świątek struggled to manage longer rallies, highlighting areas needing improvement.
Kostyuk was appreciative of the support: “I’m feeling shocked.” Her unconventional mid-match behavior, including lighthearted engagement with the crowd, highlighted her relaxed approach.
In the second set, Świątek’s brief lead quickly dissipated, with Kostyuk decisively claiming the next six games to secure her victory.