Andreeva reaches French Open final in tense semi-final devoid of handshake
Mirra Andreeva defeats Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 in a match marked by the absence of post-match protocols, setting up a final against Diana Shnaider or Maja Chwalinska.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva has secured her place in the French Open singles final after defeating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 in a semi-final that was defined by its stark departure from standard sporting protocol. The match, held on Court Philippe-Chatrier, concluded without a post-match handshake or joint photograph between the competitors, reflecting the ongoing geopolitical conflict between their nations.
Andreeva, the eighth seed, dominated the contest from the outset, racing to a 4-0 lead in the opening set. She converted her first match point while serving for the match to seal the victory, overwhelming Kostyuk with depth and aggression. The Ukrainian player, who had won their previous two encounters, briefly threatened a comeback in the second set but was unable to sustain the momentum against the Russian’s form.
The atmosphere surrounding the event was tense, with the players taking separate photographs on opposite sides of the net rather than posing together as is customary. Kostyuk and her countrywoman Oleksandra Oliynykova have spoken out during the tournament regarding the impact of Russia’s four-year invasion of Ukraine. Following the match, Kostyuk walked off the court quickly, turning only to wave and blow kisses to the crowd, where some spectators were draped in Ukrainian flags.
Andreeva, 19, acknowledged the pressure of facing an opponent who had remained unbeaten on clay. She described the victory as "revenge" for a previous final loss in Madrid and expressed excitement about reaching her first Grand Slam final. She will now face either her compatriot Diana Shnaider or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the title match.
In other developments at the French Open, top-seeded Italian pair Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori won the mixed doubles final earlier on Thursday, defeating Gabriela Dabrowski and Evan King 4-6, 6-3, 10-4. Additionally, an Italian player is guaranteed a spot in the men’s singles final, with Flavio Cobolli set to face fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the semi-final on Friday.
