French Open Day 11 Program: Kostyuk, Andreeva meet against the background of Ukraine and Russia

ByTech Word News

The French Open women’s singles draw has taken an unexpected turn, and Thursday’s semifinal promises plenty of intrigue as four players chase their first Roland Garros title.

Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk plays against each other in an exceptional competition Russian Mirra Andreeva in a match that matters both on and off the pitch. World number one Aryna Sabalenkova crashed out in the quarter-finals and eighth seed Andreeva is now the highest-ranked player left in the tournament.

Kostyuk comes with dynamism and confidencewho has beaten the Russian teenager in both of his matches this season, including a straight-set victory on clay in the Madrid final. The Ukrainian has been one of the most consistent on the surface this year and is now just one win away from her first Grand Slam final.

Their latest meeting will again take place against the background of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukrainian players have refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents, and Thursday’s semi-final is expected to be no different.

While the political context inevitably adds another layer to the contest, Kostyuk will aim to extend her winning record against Andreeva and continue her impressive run in Paris. Meanwhile, the Russian has quietly established herself as one of the brightest young talents in women’s tennis and is now two wins away from her first major title.

In the second semi-final, Russia’s Diana Shnaider will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska. Both players enjoyed breakthrough tournaments, Shnaider stunning Sabalenka in the quarterfinals and Chwalinska becoming only the second women’s qualifier in the Open Era to reach the semifinals of Roland Garros.

Chwalinska, who has won eight matches in a row in Paris, is playing with immense confidence, while Shnaider enters the competition buoyed by the biggest victory of her career.

With none of the four semi-finalists having previously won a Grand Slam singles title, the stage is set for a new champion in Paris.

Court Phillipe-Chartrier

Daily Session: Starts at 3:30 PM IST

  • Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori (1) vs Gabriela Dabrowski and Evan King – Mixed Doubles Final
  • Marta Kostyuk (15) vs. Mira Andreeva (8) – women’s singles semi-final (no earlier than 15:00)
  • Diana Schneider (25) vs. Maja Chwalinska – women’s singles semifinals

Short Suzanne-Lenglen

Daily Session: Starts at 2:30 PM IST

  • Quentin Halys and Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten (2) – Men’s Doubles Semi-Final

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

04 Jun 2026 11:23 IST