Marta Kostyuk Upsets Iga Świątek at French Open

PARIS — Iga Świątek, a four-time French Open champion, exited the tournament following a surprising defeat to Marta Kostyuk. This marks her earliest loss at Roland Garros since 2019. Before this match, Świątek had a perfect 3-0 record against Kostyuk. However, during the encounter, Świątek struggled with her serve and shot selection, which Kostyuk effectively exploited.

Świątek had opportunities to close the first set, having served for it twice, only to be broken on both occasions. As a result, the pressure on her serve affected her baseline game, causing her downfall in the match. Despite her past successes, including six Grand Slam titles, Świątek couldn’t find her rhythm and succumbed to Kostyuk, who clinched the match 7-5, 6-1. Kostyuk’s victory extended her clay-court winning streak to 16 matches in 2026.

This defeat for the top seed continued the trend of unexpected results at this year’s French Open. Kostyuk, seeded 15, had never before taken a set off Świątek. However, she has been in remarkable form during the clay season, winning significant titles such as the Madrid Open and the Rouen Open prior to this tournament.

After her victory, Kostyuk expressed her enjoyment of the game, emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment and relishing the experience of playing on the prestigious Court Philippe Chatrier. Her outlook on cherishing each moment was underscored by events in Ukraine, as she recalled a close call when a missile struck near her family home in Kyiv, triggering emotional moments during the tournament.

Kostyuk, at 23, has now advanced to her second Grand Slam quarterfinal and her first at the French Open. She displayed a powerful game, countering Świątek’s tactics with precise groundstrokes and strong defense, managing to win key net exchanges and serve effectively under pressure.

Following the disappointing loss, Świątek’s challenges in maintaining composure during extended rallies were evident. Despite having shown improvement in recent matches, her performance demonstrated areas needing attention. On the other hand, Kostyuk’s steady and composed play, coupled with effective shot-making, paved the way for her remarkable triumph.

As Świątek momentarily left the court after the first set, Kostyuk remained engaged with the crowd, displaying her ease and confidence with delightful interactions. Kostyuk’s impressive passage through the following games highlighted her potential to make deeper runs in tournaments moving forward.