A tearful Marta Kostyuk dedicated her French Open quarter-final victory over compatriot Elina Svitolina to Ukraine, marking a historic moment as the first major quarter-final between two Ukrainian women.

The 23-year-old outlasted the seventh seed Svitolina with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, securing her place in the semi-finals. This achievement comes against the backdrop of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which weighed heavily on her mind during the match.

Kostyuk and Svitolina played just a day after a missile and drone attack that resulted in at least 18 fatalities across Ukraine. After her victory, Kostyuk expressed her sorrow, stating:

We had another difficult night in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv where so many people died, so I want to give this match to Ukraine.

Emotional and overwhelmed, she received a lengthy ovation from the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, with interviewer Marion Bartoli stepping in to offer support. Kostyuk praised Svitolina's contributions to Ukrainian tennis, calling her "incredible" and acknowledging her impact on the sport.

Kostyuk now stands as the first Ukrainian woman in the Open era to reach the singles semi-finals at Roland Garros. She will face Mirra Andreeva in the next round, aiming for a place in the final.

This victory places Kostyuk among an elite group, joining Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska as only the third Ukrainian woman to reach the semi-finals at a major tournament. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war, she has showcased remarkable resilience throughout the tournament.

Svitolina, reflecting on the significance of their representation, remarked:

It's a big inspiration for the next generation. I think this is great for sports in general in Ukraine.