Kostyuk dedicates opening Roland Garros win to Ukraine

PARIS: Marta Kostyuk dedicated her first-round win today at Roland Garros to her home country of Ukraine, saying her parent’s house was nearly hit by a missile earlier in the day.

The Kyiv native beat Oksana Selekhmeteva, who was born in Russia but obtained Spanish nationality four days ago, 6-2, 6-3 to get her campaign in Paris off to a strong start.

“I’m incredibly proud of myself today, I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my life,” 15th seed Kostyuk said on court.

“This morning, 100 metres from my parent’s house, a missile fell.

“I’m obviously very happy to be in the second round. All my thoughts and all my heart was to the people of Ukraine today. My biggest example are Ukrainian people today.”

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kostyuk has not shaken hands with Russian players before or after her matches.

It was a 12th consecutive victory on clay for Madrid Open winner Kostyuk.

Her next opponent will either be American Katie Volynets or France’s Clara Burel. – AFP

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المصدر: New Straits Times