A true sensation has occurred in the world of tennis. Marta Kostyuk, the top Ukrainian player and 15th in the world rankings, achieved a historic victory over four-time Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek. This is the first time in the Ukrainian tennis player's career that she has managed to defeat the Polish superstar, and the match result has sparked a storm of reactions within the expert community.
The tournament's official broadcaster, the Eurosport channel, provided exclusive comments from its leading analysts, who attempted to break down the reasons for this victory and what it means for both athletes.
Chris Evert: "Kostyuk now has an absolutely universal game"
Legendary American tennis player and Eurosport expert Chris Evert did not hide her admiration for the Ukrainian's actions on the court. According to Evert, Marta is demonstrating colossal progress, which became evident precisely in this match.
"Wow. Marta's great victories continue, and her confidence should grow rapidly. Kostyuk now has an absolutely universal game across the entire court. You can no longer capitalize on her errors or weak play off the volley," noted the tennis legend.
Evert emphasized that the Ukrainian athlete has fully adapted her style to any conditions. She demonstrated a finished, cohesive game that is effective on any surface, not just clay. The key factors for success were Marta's psychological resilience and high tennis IQ.
At the same time, Evert believes that Iga Swiatek's defeat has exposed serious problems that the Polish player's new coaching staff has simply not yet had time to fix. "For Iga, this is a return to the drawing board. She needs to figure out her style: simplify her actions, eliminate errors, perhaps strengthen her serve, and feel more comfortable when coming to the net," the expert summarized.
Evert also added that the elimination of top seeds at Roland Garros only confirms the incredible depth of the women's tour: opponents are no longer afraid of anyone.
Alex Corretja: "Tactical boldness and audacity"
Former world No. 2 and Eurosport analyst Alex Corretja pointed out the Ukrainian's tactical boldness, which shocked her opponent. According to him, Marta won points on almost 60% of Swiatek's second serves. She boldly came to the net, dictated the terms, and dominated the court.
The expert emphasized that Kostyuk perfectly calculated her game plan. She knew exactly what needed to be done, and although she had never won a set against Swiatek before, today she won two sets in a row.
Corretja highlighted not only the technical aspects but also the Ukrainian's insane audacity. "The main thing is her colossal belief in herself. She really felt that everything would work out in her favor," the analyst stated.
You can watch the main matches of Roland Garros live in Ukraine on the Eurosport and HBO Max platforms.