Kostyuk sinks Svitolina to reach French Open semis

Marta Kostyuk battled past fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in three sets on Tuesday at the French Open to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal.

Kostyuk, who dumped out four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the last 16, beat Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 and goes on to face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva on Thursday for a place in the final.

"I'm very happy I found a way. It was very difficult in the first two sets," said Kostyuk.

The 23-year-old Kostyuk extended her unbeaten run on clay this season to 17 matches. She is bidding for a third title on the surface after wins in Madrid and Rouen.

"I still think it's very far. I still have two matches to play," added Kostyuk.

Svitolina fell at the quarter-final stage at Roland Garros for the sixth time. It is the only major where she has not reached the last four.