Andreeva powers past Kostyuk to reach first Grand Slam final
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva produced one of the most mature performances of her young career to defeat Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 and secure a place in her first Grand Slam final at the 2026 French Open.
The eighth seed needed just 76 minutes to overcome the in-form Kostyuk on Court Philippe-Chatrier, ending the Ukrainian’s impressive 17-match winning streak on clay and advancing to Saturday’s championship match at Roland Garros.
The victory marks another milestone in Andreeva’s rapid rise on the WTA Tour. At just 19 years old, she becomes the youngest French Open finalist since Coco Gauff reached the title match in 2022 and joins an elite group of teenage players to reach a Grand Slam final in the modern era.
Andreeva gains revenge for Madrid final defeat
The Paris semi-final also served as redemption for Andreeva after suffering a straight-sets defeat to Kostyuk in the Madrid Open final six weeks earlier.
Kostyuk had also won their meeting in Brisbane earlier this season, making Wednesday’s encounter a significant test for the Russian teenager.
Rather than allowing recent history to weigh on her, Andreeva delivered a clinical display from the opening game, controlling rallies from the baseline and forcing Kostyuk into a series of costly errors.
"I was very nervous before the match," Andreeva admitted afterward.
"She hadn't lost a match on clay before today, so that added pressure. I'm happy with the way I played, happy to get revenge for Madrid, and even happier to be in my first Grand Slam final."
Both players appeared tense early on, but Andreeva settled much quicker. After surviving three break points in her opening service game, the Russian immediately found her rhythm and surged into a commanding 4-0 lead.
Her court craft was on full display as she mixed deep groundstrokes with delicate drop shots and precise lobs, constantly disrupting Kostyuk’s rhythm. The Ukrainian eventually got on the scoreboard in the fifth game, but the momentum remained firmly with Andreeva, who wrapped up the opening set 6-1.
The statistics reflected her dominance. Kostyuk struggled to find consistency and accumulated a growing number of unforced errors, while Andreeva remained composed and efficient in key moments.
Kostyuk unable to sustain fightback
The second set followed a similar pattern. Andreeva broke early and quickly moved ahead 4-1, seemingly in complete control of the contest. Kostyuk briefly threatened a comeback by breaking serve and reducing the deficit to 4-3, raising hopes of extending the battle.
However, Andreeva immediately responded.
The teenager regained the break in the next game and showed remarkable composure while serving for the match, closing out victory with aggressive shot-making and confident decision-making.
Kostyuk's resistance ultimately faded as Andreeva sealed the win when the Ukrainian sent a forehand long.
Historic achievement for the Russian teenager
The result continues a remarkable clay-court season for Andreeva. She arrived in Paris after reaching the Stuttgart semi-finals, the Madrid final, and the Rome quarter-finals, while also capturing a title earlier in the year.
Her run at Roland Garros has been equally impressive. Through six matches, she has dropped only one set and conceded just 32 games overall, highlighting the consistency that has made her one of the most dangerous young players on tour.
Andreeva is now the youngest player to reach a Grand Slam final since Gauff’s run to the 2022 French Open final and will attempt to become the first teenager to win a major title since Gauff lifted the US Open trophy in 2023.
Kostyuk’s historic run comes to an end
Although disappointed, Kostyuk leaves Paris with plenty to celebrate. The 23-year-old became the first Ukrainian woman in the Open Era to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals and entered the match on a remarkable 17-match clay-court winning streak.
Her victories throughout the season established her as one of the standout performers on the surface, and her run in Paris further strengthened her reputation among the elite players in women's tennis.
While the dream of a maiden Grand Slam final ended in the semi-finals, Kostyuk's breakthrough campaign suggests bigger opportunities may still lie ahead.
Who will Andreeva face in the final?
With her victory over Kostyuk, Andreeva advances to the biggest match of her career. She will face either fellow Russian Diana Shnaider or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the French Open final.
Regardless of the opponent, Andreeva will enter the championship match with momentum, confidence, and the opportunity to capture the first Grand Slam title of her career.
For a player still in her teens, another piece of tennis history is now within touching distance.
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