Kostyuk Beats Selekhmeteva to Reach French Open Second Round

Kostyuk extends clay win streak with straight sets victory in Paris

The Ukrainian extended her clay-court winning streak to 12 matches and will face Katie Volynets or Clara Burel next.

Kostyuk stays focused despite missile strikes to reach French Open second round...

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk eased past Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the French Open on Sunday. She said she was proud of how she stayed focused even as the war in her country hit closer to home.

 

Sealed with an ace 💨#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/cSqj2kkD7s

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 24, 2026

The 23-year-old, who won titles in Rouen and Madrid, extended her clay-court winning streak this season to 12 matches. She noted that the result felt secondary after hearing about a missile strike near her parents’ home in Ukraine earlier that day.

Kyiv and the surrounding areas were hit by hundreds of drones and missiles in one of the heaviest bombardments of the capital since Russia’s invasion four years ago.

“I'm incredibly proud of myself today,” an emotional Kostyuk said during her on-court interview.

“I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 metres away from my parents' house, a missile destroyed a building. It ⁠was a very difficult morning for me

“I didn't know how this match would turn out. I didn't know how I'd handle it. I don't want to talk about myself today.

“I'm very pleased to ‌be in the second round, but all of my thoughts and my heart goes to the people of Ukraine today.”

Kostyuk has spoken out strongly against the war and said it matters to keep competing.

“My lbiggest example is the Ukrainian people,” she added.

“I woke up in the morning, and I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their lives, ‌kept helping people who are in need. I knew a lot of Ukrainian flags would be here, and ‌a lot of Ukrainian people would come out and support.

“My friends from Ukraine came as well. Very happy to have them here.”

Starting in straight sets 👊@marta_kostyuk makes it through to Round 2!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/3KaGModNtM

— wta (@WTA) May 24, 2026

Kostyuk’s opponent, Selekhmeteva, was born in Russia but switched to represent Spain before Roland Garros.

Kostyuk will face either Katie Volynets or Clara Burel in the next round.