World No 3 Iga Swiatek crashed out of the French Open with a 7-5 6-1 straight-sets loss to Marta Kostyuk in the fourth round.
Kostyuk, the world No 15, impressed in a high-quality first set that included some dazzling shots from both players.
Swiatek’s unforced errors, though, made the difference – she gifted the serve back to her opponent after breaking to go 4-3 up, and a crucial double fault in the last game of the set allowed the Ukrainian to steal the first set from the Pole.
Swiatek roared back with a break of serve in the first game of the second set but Kostyuk responded brilliantly with a break of her own and seized the momentum to win six straight games and close out the match in a statement win that confirms a new champion at Roland-Garros in 2026.
Marta Kostyuk has not lost a match on clay in 2026
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The world’s top tennis players have been cutting short their media duties ahead of the French Open in a protest against prize money. The players taking part in the protest want Grand Slams to offer a greater share of the revenue for prize money
The loss will be a cause for concern for Swiatek, who appeared to implode in the second set as she suffered only her fourth ever defeat at the French Open.
Kostyuk, on the other hand, reaches only her second Grand Slam quarter-final and her first since the Australian Open in 2024.
She also remains the only woman to win every match she has played on clay in 2026 – her unbeaten streak on the surface extends to 16 matches, with a game against either Elina Svitolina or Belinda Bencic to follow.
Marta Kostyuk has reached her second ever Grand Slam quarter final
“I feel like I’ve given myself more space to just create something and to challenge my opponents,” Kostyuk said. “The most important thing I’ve been doing is just trying to enjoy it.
“I woke up only thinking about what an unbelievable day I have to live today, play on Chatrier against Iga – there’s nothing else I could do today other than this.
“I’m not playing tennis to win, I’m playing tennis because I love it.”
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