Athens News - Ukraine's Kostyuk takes on Russian Andreeva in French Open semis

Either Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska will await in the final.

Here, AFP Sport takes a look at the two women's last-four matches:

Marta Kostyuk (UKR x15) v Mirra Andreeva (RUS x8)

Kostyuk leads head-to-head 2-0

-- Kostyuk extended her victorious run on clay to 17 matches by winning an all-Ukrainian quarter-final against Elina Svitolina and next renews her burgeoning rivalry with Andreeva.

The 15th seed emotionally dedicated her last-eight win to Ukraine, which was hit by hundreds of Russian drones and dozens of missiles early Tuesday, killing at least 23 people.

She said after her first-round win that her family home was only narrowly missed by a Russian missile.

"With everything that's happening, for me being here is real blessing, and I don't think about winning," said Kostyuk.

"It's not the most important thing for me. I'm here to represent Ukraine and to enjoy."

Kostyuk, who has beaten Andreeva twice this year including in the Madrid Open final, has criticised Russian players who have refused to denounce their country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing war.

"After four years, I think they've made it very clear whose side they are on," Kostyuk said of Russian players on tour.

"Again, this is their burden to carry, and this is what they live with, not me."

Andreeva, who will be playing in the semis at Roland Garros for the second time in three years, says playing against a Ukrainian does not bother her.

"It doesn't matter who I play. I really try to play against the ball that is coming at me," insisted the 19-year-old.

Diana Shnaider (RUS x25) v Maja Chwalinska (POL)

Shnaider leads head-to-head 1-0

-- Shnaider and Polish qualifier Chwalinska find themselves with a golden opportunity to reach Sunday's final after winning their maiden Grand Slam quarter-finals.

Shnaider kept her cool as world number one Aryna Sabalenka fell apart in their quarter-final on Wednesday, coming from a set and a double-break down to win 6-0 in a decider.

She will be a strong favourite against Chwalinska, but is equally inexperienced in the latter stages of Slams.

Shnaider won their only previous meeting in the semi-finals of an ITF event in Istanbul in April 2022.

"Of course I remember playing her," said the 22-year-old.

"I'm expecting a huge fight tomorrow. I feel like both of us is gonna be leaving it all out tomorrow with huge opportunity in front of us. So I feel like it's gonna be a great match."

Chwalinska is bidding to become the first qualifier to reach the women's final at Roland Garros in the Open era, after a dream run that has already seen her win eight matches in total.

The world number 114 is already only the second qualifier to make the semis in Paris after Nadia Podoroska in 2020.

"I honestly don't know what's going on. I know I repeat myself but every single match here is kind of crazy for me so I'm very grateful," Chwalinska said.

K.Michailidis--AN-GR