French Open: Kostyuk Ends Swiatek’s 5th Title Bid With Straight-Sets Upset

Swiatek dumped out by Kostyuk

Kostyuk claimed her first win over Swiatek after three defeats, breaking the three-time champion’s Paris defense on her birthday. Aryna Sabalenka is now favorite for the title.

15th seed Kostyuk blasts past Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 on clay in Paris shocker...

Iga Swiatek’s 25th birthday turned into a nightmare at Roland Garros. The three-time champion crashed out in the last 16, beaten 7-5, 6-1 by Ukraine’s 15th seed Marta Kostyuk. Her bid for a fifth French Open title ended just as she appeared to be finding her form again.

With Swiatek gone, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is now the favorite for her first Paris crown. But keep an eye on Kostyuk - the Ukrainian has been building serious momentum and has looked dangerous on clay all season.

“I'm still in shock,” Kostyuk said in an on-court interview.

“I feel like I've given myself more space to just create something, to challenge my opponents. I woke up in the morning and all I thought was 'what an unbelievable day I have to live ⁠today ... there's nothing I could do other than this'.

“I try not to focus at all on winning and losing, because I'm not playing tennis to win. I'm playing tennis because I love it. I want to ‌connect to people, I want to feel this energy ... make people happy and unite people.”

The first set stayed tight early on as both players traded breaks twice. Kostyuk then held under pressure in the 11th game and finished strong, clinching the set 7-5 with a sharp backhand crosscourt winner.

It was Kostyuk’s first set won against the third seed after losing their previous three meetings. She smelled an upset when she went 3-1 up in the second set following a gritty hold.

The Rouen and Madrid title winner stayed composed from there to move to 15-0 on clay this year. She now sets up a Roland Garros quarterfinal against either 7th seed Elina Svitolina or 11th seed Belinda Bencic.