Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk fought back tears as she dedicated the biggest victory of her career to the people of her war-torn homeland after reaching her maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open on Tuesday.
Hours after another difficult night in Kyiv, Kostyuk used her on-court interview to pay tribute to the resilience of Ukrainians, moments after beating compatriot Elina Svitolina in an emotional quarter-final clash at Roland Garros.
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“I want to start with this historical match I played with Elina. We had a difficult night in Kyiv, so many people dead. So I give this match to the Ukrainian people and their resilience. Slava Ukraini,” Kostyuk said.
The 23-year-old produced one of the finest performances of her career to beat Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 and reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Kostyuk also paid tribute to Svitolina, who has long been the face of Ukrainian women’s tennis and one of the most outspoken voices against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I want to point out Elina and her impact on Ukrainian tennis, on me and on everyone watching. She’s an unbelievable fighter. I’m so happy to be through, but I want to thank her for this incredible match,” Kostyuk said.
FRENCH OPEN: ALL-URKAINIAN QUARTER-FINAL
The all-Ukrainian quarter-final carried added significance given the circumstances surrounding both players. Tension has lingered throughout the tournament, with Ukrainian players repeatedly speaking about the emotional toll of competing while their homeland continues to endure attacks.
Under the closed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier, Kostyuk made a confident start, racing into a 4-1 lead before Svitolina briefly clawed her way back into the contest. Kostyuk regained control to take the opening set when the seventh seed sent a forehand long.
Svitolina responded strongly in the second set as Kostyuk’s serve faltered, allowing the former world No. 3 to level the match and keep alive hopes of reaching a first French Open semi-final.
The deciding set turned into a tense battle, with the first five games going against serve. Kostyuk eventually settled first, holding for a 4-2 lead before breaking again and serving out the match to secure the biggest win of her Grand Slam career.
FRENCH OPEN: SHADOWS OF WAR
The backdrop to the contest was impossible to ignore. Earlier in the tournament, Kostyuk had revealed that a Russian missile strike had landed close to her family home in Kyiv.
“Tennis is a mental game, but today it was something completely different. I didn’t know how my focus was going to be or if I would even be able to control my thoughts,” she had said after that incident.
Svitolina, who has consistently used her platform to raise awareness about the war, admitted after Tuesday’s defeat that the burden of events back home remains ever-present.
“It is just very sad that we all have to really put up with this heaviness and pain every single day, and scared moments not knowing what the next day is going to bring for our family, for our friends, and for Ukraine in general,” Svitolina said.
Kostyuk will now face Russia’s Mirra Andreeva for a place in the French Open final.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
