By Sybille de La Hamaide; Reuters.
Image: Marta_Kostyuk.
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk reched the French Open fourth round on Friday, defeating Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic 6-4 6-3 to extend her unbeaten run on clay this season.
The 23-year-old world number 15 still had to fight hard to get past the experienced Golubic, a decade her senior. The two women traded long and powerful baseline rallies, with some jaw-dropping winners.
The first set extended beyond an hour as Golubic saved three set points, one with a bold volley at the net, before eventually conceding the set on an unforced error at the fourth opportunity.
In the second set, however, Kostyuk asserted her dominance. Breaking Golubic’s serve early, the Ukrainian held firm, exploiting her serve – which she described as her “favourite shot” – to great effect.
“I feel like I found again that joy of creating points, changing rhythm, running around a little bit, and it’s something I love to do,” Kostyuk said.
“It’s something that’s not very difficult for me, so I love to take that advantage against players. Maybe that’s the key,” she added.
At 4-2 in the second set Kostyuk cemented her lead with an under-arm serve. It is the first time she has reached the last 16 at Roland Garros since 2021.
She will next face four times champion Iga Swiatek, who eased into the fourth round with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Magda Linette in an all-Polish clash on Friday.