Ukrainians at Roland Garros 2025: Victories, debuts and character

Elina Svitolina — confidently into the second round

13th seed Elina Svitolina had no trouble defeating Turkey’s Zeynep Sönmez — 6:1, 6:1. The match lasted 1 hour and 12 minutes, and Elina demonstrated excellent clay-court form, confirming her status as the leader of Ukrainian tennis. Her strong physical and emotional condition allowed her to fully control the match. In the second round, Svitolina will face Hungary’s Anna Bondár. This will be their first head-to-head encounter.

Dayana Yastremska — victory over the Australian

Dayana Yastremska defeated Australia’s Destanee Aiava 7:5, 6:1. This is her sixth appearance in the Roland Garros main draw, and she made a confident start, showing technical variety and a more stable serve than before. In the second round, Yastremska will face 11th seed Diana Shnaider (no flag).

Yuliia Starodubtseva — the comeback of a 'lucky loser'

Yuliia Starodubtseva, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser after losing in the final qualifying round, came back to defeat Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch — 2:6, 6:1, 6:4. This is her first Grand Slam main draw win, and she showed strong character by turning the match around after a weak start. In the second round, she will face 27th seed Anastasia Potapova (no flag).

Anastasiia Soboleva — a worthy debut

19-year-old Anastasiia Soboleva, who came through three qualifying rounds, made her Grand Slam main draw debut against 11th seed Diana Shnaider (no flag). She was down 0:5 in the first set but fought back to force a tiebreak, which she lost 6:7(3). The second set ended 2:6. Despite the loss, she showed character and potential. It was her fourth match in Paris, and she stood her ground against a much more experienced opponent.

Marta Kostyuk — a disappointing start

26th seed Marta Kostyuk lost to Czech player Sara Bejlek — 3:6, 1:6. It was not her best day, as she committed many double faults and couldn’t challenge her opponent. After the match, she apologized to her supporters: “Sometimes days don’t go the way they should, even when you’ve done everything to prepare. Thank you to everyone who supports me,” she wrote on social media.

Doubles debut for Yuliia Starodubtseva

Yuliia Starodubtseva also made her Roland Garros doubles debut. Partnering with Czech player Anastasia Detiuc, they won their first-round match against the French duo Emeline Dartron / Tsiantsoua Rakotomalala Rajaonah — 5:7, 6:1, 6:2.

Ukrainian players continue to hold their ground at Roland Garros 2025.

Author: Tetyana German-Shakhly

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