2026 French Open Women's SF: Andreeva vs. Kostyuk

[PhiEaglesfan712]

The semis are here again, and it's time for the polls @kskate2 @britbox

 

[britbox]

This is close - my gut actually says Kostyuk but I'm so sick of the antics of some of these Ukrainian players, I hope the Russian prevails and will pick and root for her.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Mirra wins this in 2 hard fought sets 7-5, 7-6. I feel like this is Mirra's moment.

 

[the AntiPusher]

This is close - my gut actually says Kostyuk but I'm so sick of the antics of some of these Ukrainian players, I hope the Russian prevails and will pick and root for her.

Me too.. I have nothing against Ukrainian players but its not fair to punish a young player Mirra thinking she represents an entire county as powerful as Russia and their heinous politics, I pick Mirra to get her revenge for losing to her earlier in the spring.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Marta is yet to be defeated on clay so far this year and she holds a H2H 2-0 over Andreeva
The playing conditions for this match will be or could be a deciding factor in this match
Both players are excellent athletes and Mirra has won more matches on tour so far this year than any other player
Nerves could be a factor for Marta this is her first GS SF and for Mirra she has made the SF at RG for the 2nd consecutive year
Mirra has a complete game, though the one thing that has held her back is her Focus, though I have been impressed with her focus so far in this tournament.
Marta as we have seen can be a Drama Queen
Both woman will have to have their emotions 'in check' as Mirra's emotions can also get in the way
Should be an interesting match up with 2 players that have made their statements on clay
Good luck to both players they deserve their spot in the SFs

 

[britbox]

Andreeva stormed out of the gates. 4-1up in the first set. It's actually slightly more competitive than the scoreline suggests. Marta had a big hold and fended off BPs to avoid going 0-5 down.

 

[britbox]

First set to Andreeva in 33 minutes. 6-1

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Andreeva looks like she means business. She's definitely learned from 2024 RG and 2025 Wimbledon, when she lost matches deep in the tournament as a clear favorite. She's not taking anything for granted.

 

[britbox]

She's broken her again. 2-0. Andreeva in the chair.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

First hiccup by Andreeva today. She is broken at love, and we're now on serve in the 2nd. Andreeva needs to just maintain her focus for about 5-10 more minutes. She is still in control of this match.

Edit: Andreeva breaks back, and serves it out. She wins 6-1, 6-3, and makes her first slam final at age 19!

 

[britbox]

I missed the last game - did Kostyuk shake her hand?

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

I missed the last game - did Kostyuk shake her hand?

No: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_...ager-mirra-andreeva-reaches-french-open-final

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I picked Andreeva to win seeing I had to miss both ladies SF just finished watching the high lights of both SFs

Cant wait to do the match call for the final

Congrats Mirra!

 

[britbox]

Match Highlights

 

[britbox]

Kostyuk Press Conference



LeoAI Summary

• Reflections on the Tournament: Marta expressed happiness with her overall clay court season, noting only one loss, which exceeded her expectations. She considers her recent winning streak a permanent part of her career ("I take it with me to the grave") and was proud to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros, her best result there to date.
• The Match and Pressure: Despite the loss, she stated she doesn't feel significant pressure on court, though she acknowledged the match didn't go her way. She noted that her opponent, Mirra, was well-suited to the slow clay court and played a solid, consistent game, while Marta struggled with her serve and felt forced to take more risks, leading to more errors.
• Impact of the War in Ukraine: Marta emphasized that the match was meaningful as an opportunity to support her people back in Ukraine. She felt the crowd's ovation in the quarterfinals was a powerful reminder that the world has not forgotten the war, proving that athletes at this level can still have a significant influence.
• Perspective on an All-Russian Final: When asked how she would feel as a Ukrainian if the final were between two Russian players, she firmly stated, "I don't care," prioritizing the sport and the event over the nationalities of the finalists in this specific context.
• Personal Growth and Mental Health: A major theme was her journey of personal transformation. She revealed that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine changed her perspective on life. She underwent extensive therapy, shifting from being a "control freak" and "intense" player to someone who now enjoys tennis and life more. She described her battles against her own mental hurdles as more significant than any Grand Slam title.
• Future Goals: Marta aims to maintain her ranking and consistency, focusing on staying healthy and continuing her growth as both a player and a person. She noted that while reaching a certain level is an achievement, staying there is the true challenge.
• Adaptability: She mentioned that she and her team always have multiple game plans (around five), but acknowledged that even the best strategies can't overcome a day where the opponent plays significantly better or conditions (like wind) don't favor her.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kostyuk Press Conference

• Reflections on the Tournament: Marta expressed happiness with her overall clay court season, noting only one loss, which exceeded her expectations. She considers her recent winning streak a permanent part of her career ("I take it with me to the grave") and was proud to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros, her best result there to date.
• The Match and Pressure: Despite the loss, she stated she doesn't feel significant pressure on court, though she acknowledged the match didn't go her way. She noted that her opponent, Mirra, was well-suited to the slow clay court and played a solid, consistent game, while Marta struggled with her serve and felt forced to take more risks, leading to more errors.
• Impact of the War in Ukraine: Marta emphasized that the match was meaningful as an opportunity to support her people back in Ukraine. She felt the crowd's ovation in the quarterfinals was a powerful reminder that the world has not forgotten the war, proving that athletes at this level can still have a significant influence.
• Perspective on an All-Russian Final: When asked how she would feel as a Ukrainian if the final were between two Russian players, she firmly stated, "I don't care," prioritizing the sport and the event over the nationalities of the finalists in this specific context.
• Personal Growth and Mental Health: A major theme was her journey of personal transformation. She revealed that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine changed her perspective on life. She underwent extensive therapy, shifting from being a "control freak" and "intense" player to someone who now enjoys tennis and life more. She described her battles against her own mental hurdles as more significant than any Grand Slam title.
• Future Goals: Marta aims to maintain her ranking and consistency, focusing on staying healthy and continuing her growth as both a player and a person. She noted that while reaching a certain level is an achievement, staying there is the true challenge.
• Adaptability: She mentioned that she and her team always have multiple game plans (around five), but acknowledged that even the best strategies can't overcome a day where the opponent plays significantly better or conditions (like wind) don't favor her.

With only one loss on clay this year Marta can be proud, though it did come at a high cost of being defeated in a SF with the chance to make the final.
One thing I cannot stand is her coach telling her where to strand on the court to say receive also what shot to do time and time again?
I would like to see if Marta can go alone on a court without the Constant On Court coaching by her coach

 

[britbox]

Andreeva Press Conference



LeoAI Summary

• Match Context & Victory: Mirra Andreeva secured her spot in her first Grand Slam final at the French Open after a "very tough match" against Marta Kostyuk. She expressed deep satisfaction with her performance, noting Kostyuk's incredible form on clay throughout the season made the victory even more significant.
• Unprecedented Focus: Mirra described being in a state of hyper-focus, stating she was so locked in she could literally see the individual hairs on the tennis ball during the match. She emphasized that maintaining this level of concentration for the entire match was a major breakthrough compared to previous matches where she might have lost focus.
• Mental Resilience: A key theme was her evolved mindset regarding pressure. In the past, losing a serve felt like "the end of the world," causing her to panic. Now, she adopts a "so what?" attitude, immediately focusing on breaking back. This mental shift allowed her to recover from breaks in the second set and close out the match without losing her composure.
• Trust in Conchita Martínez: Mirra credited her coach, Conchita Martínez, for her growth. She explained that while she used to listen to advice but struggle to fully commit, she now completely trusts Conchita's game plans and advice. This trust has made it easier to execute strategies and even laugh off setbacks by attributing them to the team's collective effort (jokingly).
• Handling the Roof Closure: When the roof was closed due to rain while Mirra was leading 4-1 in the second set, she initially felt it was a poor timing that disrupted her rhythm. However, she quickly adapted, telling herself to accept the officials' decision and focus solely on the next point, successfully navigating the two games she lost immediately after the stoppage.
• Pre-Final Routine: Despite the historic nature of the occasion, Mirra plans to stick to her standard routine for the final. She will not change her habits, which include practicing, playing Uno, taping her racket, and warming up, believing that consistency is crucial for her performance.
• Potential Final Opponents:
  • She discussed the possibility of an all-Russian final against Diana Shnaider (her doubles partner). She recalled a conversation in Rome where they joked about meeting in Paris, and she expressed excitement about sharing such a big stage with someone she knows so well.
  • She also mentioned Maja Chwalinska, a qualifier she has never played against, acknowledging her incredible run and the challenge of facing an unknown game style.
• Handling External Pressure: When asked about the scrutiny regarding her Russian nationality and comments from Ukrainian players, Mirra stated she ignores all external noise. She focuses entirely on her busy schedule of practice, recovery, and matches, ensuring she doesn't read news or listen to outside opinions during the tournament.
• Personal Growth & Dreams: Reflecting on her journey from Siberia, Mirra admitted she never truly believed she would reach a Grand Slam final, viewing it as her "number one dream" but something distant. Now, feeling more mature and experienced than two years ago, she is thrilled to be on the cusp of achieving that goal.
• Side Notes: She mentioned finishing a crystal painting of her dog, and is looking for a new creative project. She also expressed a deep love for the French Open atmosphere, the clay courts, and the city of Paris, noting she enjoys speaking French with locals.

 

[britbox]

With only one loss on clay this year Marta can be proud, though it did come at a high cost of being defeated in a SF with the chance to make the final.
One thing I cannot stand is her coach telling her where to strand on the court to say receive also what shot to do time and time again?
I would like to see if Marta can go alone on a court without the Constant On Court coaching by her coach

I can't stand coaching during matches at all.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Andreeva Press Conference

• Match Context & Victory: Mirra Andreeva secured her spot in her first Grand Slam final at the French Open after a "very tough match" against Marta Kostyuk. She expressed deep satisfaction with her performance, noting Kostyuk's incredible form on clay throughout the season made the victory even more significant.
• Unprecedented Focus: Mirra described being in a state of hyper-focus, stating she was so locked in she could literally see the individual hairs on the tennis ball during the match. She emphasized that maintaining this level of concentration for the entire match was a major breakthrough compared to previous matches where she might have lost focus.
• Mental Resilience: A key theme was her evolved mindset regarding pressure. In the past, losing a serve felt like "the end of the world," causing her to panic. Now, she adopts a "so what?" attitude, immediately focusing on breaking back. This mental shift allowed her to recover from breaks in the second set and close out the match without losing her composure.
• Trust in Conchita Martínez: Mirra credited her coach, Conchita Martínez, for her growth. She explained that while she used to listen to advice but struggle to fully commit, she now completely trusts Conchita's game plans and advice. This trust has made it easier to execute strategies and even laugh off setbacks by attributing them to the team's collective effort (jokingly).
• Handling the Roof Closure: When the roof was closed due to rain while Mirra was leading 4-1 in the second set, she initially felt it was a poor timing that disrupted her rhythm. However, she quickly adapted, telling herself to accept the officials' decision and focus solely on the next point, successfully navigating the two games she lost immediately after the stoppage.
• Pre-Final Routine: Despite the historic nature of the occasion, Mirra plans to stick to her standard routine for the final. She will not change her habits, which include practicing, playing Uno, taping her racket, and warming up, believing that consistency is crucial for her performance.
• Potential Final Opponents:
  • She discussed the possibility of an all-Russian final against Diana Shnaider (her doubles partner). She recalled a conversation in Rome where they joked about meeting in Paris, and she expressed excitement about sharing such a big stage with someone she knows so well.
  • She also mentioned Maja Chwalinska, a qualifier she has never played against, acknowledging Joint's incredible run and the challenge of facing an unknown game style.
• Handling External Pressure: When asked about the scrutiny regarding her Russian nationality and comments from Ukrainian players, Mirra stated she ignores all external noise. She focuses entirely on her busy schedule of practice, recovery, and matches, ensuring she doesn't read news or listen to outside opinions during the tournament.
• Personal Growth & Dreams: Reflecting on her journey from Siberia, Mirra admitted she never truly believed she would reach a Grand Slam final, viewing it as her "number one dream" but something distant. Now, feeling more mature and experienced than two years ago, she is thrilled to be on the cusp of achieving that goal.
• Side Notes: She mentioned finishing a crystal painting of her dog, and is looking for a new creative project. She also expressed a deep love for the French Open atmosphere, the clay courts, and the city of Paris, noting she enjoys speaking French with locals.

This has been the one thing that has kept Mirra from improving it is her mind set and focus as she has a complete game, she has impressed me at RG with her focus
Well done Mirra