Kostyuk Upsets Świątek at French Open

Follow The Athletic’s live coverage from Day 8 of the French Open held in Paris. The competition saw a significant shift as Iga Świątek exited the tournament, facing her earliest defeat since 2019. It was Marta Kostyuk who managed this feat by defeating the four-time champion. Świątek struggled with her serve and shot selection against Kostyuk, who she had defeated in all three of their previous encounters.

Świątek found herself serving for a close opening set but squandered her break advantage twice. Her struggles with her serve then affected her baseline game, leading to a challenging second set. Kostyuk claimed victory with a score of 7-5, 6-1, marking her 16th consecutive clay court win in the 2026 season. This notable triumph continues the trend of upsets in this year’s French Open, a trend intensified after earlier disruptions in the men’s draw.

Before Sunday, Kostyuk had never taken a set from Świątek, a six-time Grand Slam champion. However, this clay season saw Kostyuk in excellent form. She captured the biggest title of her career at the Madrid Open, starting the month with success, and added a 250-level clay title at the Rouen Open.

“I feel like I’ve given myself more space to just create something, to challenge my opponents,” Kostyuk shared post-match. “I think the most important thing I’ve been doing is trying to enjoy. I woke up today thinking about the opportunity to play on Chatrier.”

Kostyuk does not take such days lightly. Before her first-round win at Roland Garros against Oksana Selekhmeteva, a missile landed near her parents’ home in Kyiv due to a Russian bombardment. She expressed emotional turmoil during the day, unsure of her performance due to this incident.

“Throughout the match, the thought kept coming back,” Kostyuk said in a press conference, recalling how the morning’s events affected her mindset.

As the tournament progresses, Kostyuk has advanced to her second Grand Slam quarterfinal and her first at the French Open. Her match against Świątek occurred under overcast skies, which did not hinder her aggressive and effective playing style. Świątek’s unsteady serving allowed Kostyuk to maintain her momentum, answering with precise groundstrokes and minimizing errors.

Świątek’s inclination to struggle during longer rallies played into Kostyuk’s hands, as she kept her defense stiff and continued pressuring Świątek into mistakes. Kostyuk also showed impressive mental resilience, especially during net exchanges, allowing her to exploit Świątek’s vulnerabilities.

“I’m feeling shocked; I’ve never taken a set off her. I still can’t believe it.” Kostyuk expressed her astonishment, extending gratitude to the supportive crowd.

Following the first set, Świątek took her usual off-court break to regroup. Meanwhile, Kostyuk stayed upbeat on the court, mingling with the crowd and keeping the mood light. Świątek secured the first game of the second set, but Kostyuk then sealed the next six games, showcasing her dominance.