Amid emotional scenes and the continuing backdrop of war in her homeland, Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk produced a composed performance at Roland Garros to book her place in the second round of the French Open 2026. The 15th seed overcame Spain’s Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday before dedicating the victory to Ukraine after revealing that a missile had landed close to her parents’ home earlier in the day.
Playing on the opening weekend of the clay-court Grand Slam in Paris, Kostyuk showed both resilience and focus despite carrying heavy emotions into the match. The 23-year-old from Kyiv controlled proceedings from the baseline and wrapped up the contest in straight sets, extending her excellent run on clay this season.
“I’m incredibly proud of myself today, I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my life,” 15th seed Kostyuk said on court.
“This morning, 100 metres from my parent’s house, a missile fell. I’m obviously very happy to be in the second round. All my thoughts and all my heart was to the people of Ukraine today. My biggest example are Ukrainian people today,” she added.
Kostyuk’s comments once again highlighted the emotional burden many Ukrainian athletes continue to carry while competing internationally since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Ukrainian has consistently spoken out about the war and has become one of the most vocal players on the WTA Tour regarding the conflict. Since the invasion began, she has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players before or after matches, maintaining a firm personal stance throughout the past four years.
Sunday’s victory also underlined Kostyuk’s growing credentials as one of the strongest clay-court players on tour this season. The Madrid Open champion entered Roland Garros in outstanding form, and the win over Selekhmeteva marked her 12th consecutive victory on clay.
Her aggressive movement, heavy topspin forehand, and improved composure under pressure have transformed her into a serious contender in Paris. Earlier this month, Kostyuk captured the biggest title of her career in Madrid, defeating several top-ranked players en route to the trophy and becoming the first Ukrainian woman to win the prestigious tournament.
Against Selekhmeteva, who was born in Russia but officially obtained Spanish nationality just days before the tournament, Kostyuk stayed in complete control for most of the match. She broke serve early in both sets and neutralised her opponent’s attacking attempts with consistent depth and defensive coverage from the baseline.
The Ukrainian’s rise over the past two seasons has been one of the major success stories on the WTA Tour. Once regarded as a teenage prodigy after winning the Australian Open junior title at just 14 years old, Kostyuk has steadily matured into a complete player capable of challenging the world’s elite on every surface.
Her strong results this year have also pushed her into the top 15 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career, cementing her position among the leading figures in women’s tennis.
Kostyuk will next face either American Katie Volynets or France’s Clara Burel in the second round as she continues her pursuit of a deep run at Roland Garros, where she reached the quarterfinals for the first time last season.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva also advanced comfortably into the second round with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over French wild card Fiona Ferro.
The 19-year-old eighth seed, considered one of the brightest young talents in world tennis, handled the Parisian crowd well despite Ferro’s spirited resistance late in the second set. Andreeva eventually closed out the match in one hour and nine minutes to continue her impressive rise on the WTA Tour.
The Russian has enjoyed a breakthrough year, building on her semifinal appearance at Roland Garros in 2025 and establishing herself as a regular contender at major tournaments. Known for her variety, tactical intelligence, and calm temperament, Andreeva has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting players of her generation.
She will next face either Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera or Colombia’s Emiliana Arango in the round of 64 as she looks to build momentum in Paris.
With emotional stories, emerging stars, and powerful performances already shaping the opening days of the French Open, Roland Garros 2026 has once again become a stage where tennis and real-world realities collide in unforgettable fashion.
