Ukraine duo vying for French Open history

When Marta Kostyuk high-fived fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the corridors of Court Philippe Chatrier after reaching the French Open quarter-finals on Sunday, it represented far more than than a simple gesture of congratulations.

"I do feel like they're united and they're playing for something more than just tennis," former British player Anne Keothavong told TNT Sports after witnessing that moment.

With their country at war, a mutual respect and admiration exists between the pair which transcends their ambitions on the tennis court.

When Svitolina and Kostyuk go head-to-head in their quarter-final on Tuesday, one of them will become the first Ukrainian women's singles semi-finalist at Roland Garros since the start of the professional era in 1968.

The significance of that achievement is not lost on either.

"There's going to be someone from Ukraine in the semi-final so it's already amazing," said Svitolina on court after winning her fourth-round match against Belinda Bencic.

"It couldn't be a better tournament for us. It's an amazing achievement for Ukrainian tennis, we have so many great players coming up as well in such a difficult situation right now.

"It's really difficult and I think it's really inspiring for the next generation to really believe it is possible one day to play on this court and win."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian players have had to cope with the emotional toll and practical disruption to their lives.

Yet, seven Ukrainian women are inside the world's top 100, which is more than three of the four nations that host Grand Slams have.

Kostyuk has managed to extend her clay-court winning ‌streak to 15 tour matches by reaching the last eight in Paris - despite beginning this tournament with "one of the most difficult matches" of her life after Russian missiles narrowly missed her family's Kyiv home the night before.

The emotional 23-year-old later showed journalists a photograph of a building on fire, which she said was just 100 metres from her family home.

On the court, her remarkable winning run continues.

She has said she was previously too hard on herself, focusing too much on results, but is now determined to "enjoy playing tennis". That was in evidence when she danced on the court while waiting for Iga Swiatek to return between sets during her impressive straight-set victory over the four-time champion.

"It gives you a different perspective," said Kostyuk. "Before my first-round match, I don't even know what I'm doing here. Like, this is not important at all.

"For sure, it gave me more space and understanding that there are much bigger things in life than tennis.

"I try to keep that in mind always."

Seventh seed Svitolina and 15th-ranked Kostyuk are two of only three women from Ukraine to reach the singles quarter-finals at Roland Garros in the Open era.

But the nation's strength in depth has been evident throughout this fortnight, with four women from Ukraine reaching the third round.

It is also only the second time that two Ukrainian players have reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament.

Former British women's number one Johanna Konta told TNT Sports: "What a time for Ukrainian tennis.

"To have these two women, and the kind of women that Svitolina and Kostyuk are - they're incredibly well-spoken, inspirational and philanthropic - they really exemplify more than just the sport and it's brilliant to see."

Four-time major semi-finalist Svitolina is through to her sixth French Open quarter-final and the 31-year-old has now reached the last eight of a Grand Slam on seven occasions since returning to the tour after giving birth to her daughter three years ago.

For Kostyuk, eight years Svitolina's junior, this is just the second time she has reached this stage at one of the sport's biggest tournaments. She also got to the last eight of the 2024 Australian Open.

On facing her compatriot, Kostyuk said: "We have a really good relationship. She's a legend of Ukrainian tennis and it's such an honour to share the court with her.

"She's paved the way for a lot of Ukrainian girls and boys. She's doing great, especially this year, she's doing unbelievable. I'm so excited for this match."