
Kostyuk advances to French Open second round amid tears over Ukraine attack
Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva to reach the French Open second round, tearing up as she spoke about a missile attack back home in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva to reach the French Open second round, tearing up as she spoke about a missile attack back home in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2 6-3 at Roland Garros and dedicated the victory to Ukraine after Russian missiles narrowly missed her Kyiv home the night before, saying her family were safe but still scared as she chose to play on.

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk defeated 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 7-5 to win the Madrid Open and her first WTA 1000 title, becoming one of the few players outside the top 20 to triumph in Madrid. Kostyuk broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set and sealed the win on her third championship point after Andreeva double-faulted at 6-5 in the second. Andreeva, in her third WTA 1000 final, was denied again. In doubles, Henry Patten and Harri Helioevaara won the men's title 6-3, 3-6, 10-7.

Aryna Sabalenka reached her third consecutive Brisbane International final with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Karolina Muchova, setting up a final against Marta Kostyuk, who defeated Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka aims for her third Australian Open title, while Switzerland reached the United Cup final for the first time by beating Belgium.

Coco Gauff survives a tough match against Marta Kostyuk in the Australian Open quarterfinals, overcoming 51 unforced errors and 9 double faults to win 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-2. Gauff, who has won 12 consecutive matches in Grand Slams, is set to face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Despite her errors, Gauff expressed pride in her fighting spirit and hopes to improve in the next match.

Coco Gauff advances to the Australian Open semifinals after a hard-fought victory over Marta Kostyuk, setting up a rematch with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff, who won the U.S. Open last year, rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the first set to win 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-2 in a match lasting over three hours. Sabalenka, on a 12-match winning streak at Melbourne Park, is eager for revenge after her U.S. Open defeat to Gauff. Despite a subpar performance, Gauff is optimistic about her form heading into the semifinals.

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus after losing to her in the French Open due to Belarus' support of Russia's war in Ukraine. Kostyuk's decision was met with boos and whistles from the spectators, who were unaware of the backstory. Kostyuk's father and grandfather are still in Kyiv, where Russia launched its largest drone attack since the start of the war. No. 7 seed Maria Sakkari was also knocked out of the tournament.

The French Open began with Novak Djokovic expressing his relief at Rafael Nadal's absence, while Marta Kostyuk was booed for not shaking hands with Aryna Sabalenka after losing to her. Kostyuk cited Russia's drone attack on Kyiv as the reason for her behavior, while Sabalenka said she understood Kostyuk's decision. It was a tough day for American tennis players, with notable upsets including Dan Evans losing to Thanasi Kokkinakis and Maria Sakkari losing to Karolina Muchova. Djokovic is set to begin his championship hunt on Day 2.

Marta Kostyuk criticized the French Open crowd for booing her off court after she refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka following the Belarusian's win. Kostyuk accused Sabalenka of not speaking out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is supported by Belarus, and said she does not respect her. Sabalenka responded by saying that no Russian or Belarusian athlete supports the war, but it's not in their hands to stop it.

Marta Kostyuk, a Ukrainian tennis player, was booed by spectators at the French Open after refusing to shake hands with Belarusian opponent Aryna Sabalenka due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, with Belarus' assistance. Kostyuk's decision not to exchange pleasantries with players from Russia or Belarus is due to the recent drone attack in Kyiv, which killed at least one person. Sabalenka initially thought the booing was directed at her, but later realized it was due to Kostyuk's actions. No. 7 seed Maria Sakkari was knocked out of the tournament, while No. 2 seed Sabalenka won her first-round match against Kostyuk.

Marta Kostyuk, a Ukrainian tennis player, was booed by the French Open crowd for not shaking hands with her opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, from Belarus after their match. Kostyuk has been avoiding any interaction with opponents from Russia or Belarus since her country was invaded by Russia with help from Belarus in February 2022. Sabalenka won the match 6-3, 6-2 and initially thought the boos were directed at her.

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk criticized International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach's argument that Russian and Belarusian athletes can return to international competitions because they already compete without friction in some sports. Kostyuk and other international athletes oppose the readmission of Russia and Belarus due to human rights concerns and ethical conflicts. The IOC issued guidelines to allow for their return to world sport as neutral athletes, without a flag, emblem, or anthem, which has angered both sides of the issue.