Marta Kostyuk is in tears at the start of her on-court victory. She dedicates the win to Ukraine and praises her idol Elina Svitolina. Special moments for her after reaching the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time, after 25 appearances in the main draw of a grand slam.

”I want to start with this historical match that we played today with Elina. We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kiev, so many people dead, and I want to give this match to the Ukrainian people and to their resilience.

”And of course I want to point out Elina and her incredible impact on Ukrainian tennis, on Ukrainians, and on me and everyone who's watching.She's an unbelievable fighter, and I'm so happy to be through the semi-finals, but I want to thank her again for this incredible match.”

That was an amazing final four games from Marta Kostyuk, what a brilliant level.

Kostyuk has now won 16 matches in a row on clay, unbeaten on the surface this season. And at the age of 23, she is through to her first grand slam semi-final. She will play eighth seed Mirra Andreeva on Thursday for a place in the final.

There is a lovely moment at the net as Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina hug. Svitolina has been Kostyuk’s inspiration but is this the passing of the baton? Kostyuk becomes the first Ukrainian woman to reach the final four at Roland Garros.

This is a stunning surge from Marta Kostyuk. From 2-2, the 15th seed has taken off, flashing winners and controlling delicate volleys to win three games in a row. She will serve for place in the semi-finals, leading 5-2 in the decider.

Five games in the decider, five breaks: this time, Mart Kostyuk edges in front with power and poise, the forehand crosscourt at over 90mph followed by a deft pick-up volley.

Then, on the second break point, she shows brilliant reflexes to flick a Svitolina pass that bounced off the top of the net and steer it into open court.

3-2 up, leading by the break, can Kostyuk hold to get closer to the finish line?

Marta Kostyuk’s movement and foot speed had earned her the upper hand in the first set against Elina Svitolina, enabling her to take control of the points and turn defence into attack.

But Svitolina has jumped on a dip from Kostyuk to win the second set and force the decider. The seventh seed, with more experience at this level, has the momentum after turning the match around.

After Marta Kostyuk couldn’t take a break point chance to move 5-1 up, Elina Svitolina manages to hold and then break back herself as Kostyuk goes wide with a backhand down the line. It means Svitolina only trails 4-3, with the match back on serve as the seventh seed digs in.

Marta Kostyuk, 23, has looked up to Elina Svitolina, 31, for her entire career but has made a lighting start against her idol to go up a break and lead 3-0. The 15th seed defeated four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the fourth round, and has won more clay-court matches in a single season than any player since Swiatek’s 2022 season.

History will be made for Ukraine as the two in-form players of the clay-court season clash for a place in the French Open semi-finals. Elina Svitolina won the Rome title while Marta Kostyuk won the Madrid title, and has won 16 consecutive matches on the clay this season.

For the first time in the Open era, there will be a Ukrainian woman in the semi-finals at Roland Garros. Svitolina, the seventh seed, has reached four grand slam semi-finals previously at Wimbledon, the US Open and Australian Open, without making it through. Kostyuk, meanwhile, is bidding for her first grand slam semi-final.

“I knew this match wouldn’t be easy and it would require 200 per cent focus and intensity. I’m super happy I was able to do it first and play aggressive throughout the whole match.”

French Open semi-final draw

[1] Aryna Sabalenka / Diana Shnaider v [22] Anna Kalinskaya / Maja Chwalinska

[7] Elina Svitolina / Marta Kostyuk [15] v [8] Mirra Andreeva

That was emphatic from Mirra Andreeva, with the 19-year-old blasting through to the semi-finals of the French Open for the second time in her young career. The first time, in 2024, came after a shock victory over Aryna Sabalenka and announced her big breakthrough at the grand slams. This time, everyone knows about her dangerous the eighth seed is. In heavy conditions, she routs Sorana Cirstea 6-0 6-3.

Can she now reach her first grand slam final? She will play either Elina Svitolina or Marta Kostyuk on Thursday.