Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has reached the quarterfinals of Roland Garros for the first time in her career, achieving this milestone by defeating the world’s third-ranked player, Iga Swiatek, in straight sets.
Entering the Round of 16 at the 2026 Roland Garros, Kostyuk was riding a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive victories, which included two titles at the WTA 250 event in Rouen and the WTA 1000 event in Madrid. However, she faced a challenging opponent in Swiatek, who had historically posed difficulties for her.
Prior to this match, Kostyuk had faced Swiatek three times without winning a single set. Their first encounter took place at Roland Garros in 2021, where Kostyuk achieved her best result at a Grand Slam by reaching the Round of 16.
In a surprising turn of events, Kostyuk managed to avenge her previous defeats against Swiatek, winning the match in two sets. The first set was closely contested, with both players maintaining parity until the twelfth game, when Kostyuk secured her first break to win 7-5. In the second set, Kostyuk displayed dominant form, dropping her serve in the opening game but winning the next six games to take the set 6-1.
Match Result: Roland Garros 2026, Round of 16
Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine, 15) — Iga Swiatek (Poland, 3) 2:0 (7:5, 6:1)
“I am still in shock, defeating a player who has won here four times and has beaten me three times — it’s incredible. I can’t believe it. I think I give myself more space to create something. The most important thing I’ve been doing is trying to enjoy myself. I woke up this morning thinking about what an amazing day it would be to play against Iga,” Kostyuk remarked in a post-match interview.
Kostyuk emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, stating, “What’s the mission going forward? Of course, it’s about mental attitude; that helps. I want to continue enjoying myself — not focusing on wins or losses. I play tennis because I love it, not just for victories.”
Significance of Kostyuk’s Victory
- Kostyuk becomes the second Ukrainian woman to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, following Elina Svitolina, who has reached this stage five times: in 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2025.
- This marks Kostyuk’s second quarterfinal appearance at a Grand Slam tournament, with her first being at the Australian Open in 2024.
- Kostyuk’s next opponent will be determined from the match between Elina Svitolina and Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
Marta Kostyuk has made history by reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros for the first time, defeating Iga Swiatek in straight sets. This victory marks a significant achievement for Kostyuk and places her among the elite players in women's tennis.