Emotional Kostyuk dedicates win to Ukraine

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Emotional Kostyuk dedicates win to UkraineImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Marta Kostyuk's best French Open result was reaching the fourth round in 2021ByHarry PooleBBC Sport journalistPublished2 hours agoUkraine's Marta Kostyuk won "one of the most difficult matches" of her career as she reached the French Open second round on the same morning that a Russian missile struck close to her parents' home. Russia launched a large-scale wave of overnight strikes against Ukraine, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Four people were killed in the capital Kyiv - where Kostyuk was born - and at least 83 people were injured across the country.

Kostyuk became tearful during her on-court speech following her 6-2 6-3 victory over Russian-born Oksana Selekhmeteva. To loud cheers of support, the world number 15 said: "This morning, 100 metres away from my parents' house, a missile destroyed the building. "It was a very difficult morning for me, I didn't know how this match would turn out for me or how I would handle it.

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"I have been crying this morning. I don't want to talk about myself today. "All my heart and all my thoughts go to the people of Ukraine today.

"A one-horse French Open or will somebody stop Sinner? Published19 hours agoSelekhmeteva was playing her first match under the Spanish flag, having switched allegiance earlier this week. Kostyuk did not shake hands with her opponent, as Ukrainian players have a long-standing policy of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players.

The 23-year-old has been an outspoken critic of Russia and its ally Belarus since it began its invasion on Ukraine in 2022. "My biggest example is the Ukrainian people," Kostyuk said. "I woke up this morning and looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their lives, kept helping people who are in need.

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"I knew a lot of Ukrainian people would come out and support today. My friends from Ukraine came to support and I'm very happy to have them here. "I'm incredibly proud of myself.

I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. "Only Mirra Andreeva (15) has claimed more wins on clay on the WTA Tour this season than the in-form Kostyuk (12), who remains unbeaten on the surface in 2026. She will face Katie Volynets next after the American beat France's Clara Burel 6-3 6-1.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.