Marta Kostyuk to face Russia's Mirra Andreeva in French semis - ESPN

PARIS — Marta Kostyuk, the best player on clay this season and a vocal supporter of Ukraine amid the war with Russia, will play her first major semifinal at the French Open against a Russian.

Kostyuk won an intense all-Ukraine quarterfinal against Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 on Tuesday.

That set up Kostyuk against Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, who thumped Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3.

Kostyuk leads Andreeva 2-0 on the tour; the second win in the Madrid final a month ago. Kostyuk didn't shake hands at the net, following protocol for Ukrainians with opponents from Russia and its ally Belarus since the war started four years ago.

«We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, so many people dead,» Kostyuk said. «I want to give this match to Ukrainian people and to their resilience. [Glory to Ukraine!]»

Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least 18 civilians and wounding more than 100 others, authorities said Tuesday.

«I found out early in the morning. I have a couple of friends that told me about it, who are there,» Svitolina said. «Just very sad that we all have to really put up with this heaviness and pain every single day, and scared moments not knowing what's going to bring the next day.»

Svitolina will leave Roland Garros to look after the daughter she has with her husband, French tennis player Gael Monfils, but she will be cheering Kostyuk on from a distance.

«I will be watching the match and definitely cheering for her, hopefully that she can get the title,» Svitolina said. «It's going to be massive for Ukraine.»

No. 7-seeded Svitolina got off to a slow start but worked her way into the match,