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Iga Swiatek's remarkable dominance at Roland Garros came to a stunning end on Sunday, May 31, as the four-time French Open champion crashed out of the tournament in the fourth round. The Polish star, who lifted the title in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, was beaten by Ukraine's 15th seed Marta Kostyuk in straight sets, bringing an abrupt halt to one of the most dominant eras in the history of the clay-court Grand Slam.
Swiatek entered the French Open 2026 looking to reclaim the title after a difficult season but instead suffered her earliest exit at Roland Garros in years. The defeat also marked the first time since her breakthrough run in 2020 that she failed to reach the semifinals in Paris.
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How did Iga Swiatek lose to Marta Kostyuk?
The match started on an even note as both players traded blows from the baseline. Swiatek initially looked comfortable and held her own during the opening exchanges, but the momentum shifted dramatically late in the first set.
Trailing 5-4 at one stage, Kostyuk stayed composed and capitalized on a series of errors from the Pole. Swiatek's serve, usually one of her strongest weapons on clay, began to falter under pressure as she surrendered crucial games. The Ukrainian eventually claimed the opening set 7-5.
The second set turned into a one-sided affair. Iga Swiatek struggled badly with her serve and failed to find any rhythm from the baseline. Marta Kostyuk continued to apply relentless pressure, attacking second serves and forcing errors from the former world No. 1.
The Ukrainian won six consecutive service games against Swiatek during the latter stages of the contest and raced through the second set 6-1 to complete one of the biggest victories of her career.
Kostyuk’s red-hot form proves too much for Swiatek
While Swiatek endured a disappointing outing, plenty of credit must go to Kostyuk for producing a near-flawless performance.
The 23-year-old arrived in Paris carrying excellent form after capturing titles in Rouen and Madrid earlier this season. Her confidence was evident throughout the contest as she remained composed in key moments and refused to allow Swiatek any opportunities to regain momentum.
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Marta Kostyuk mixed aggressive shot-making with disciplined defense, forcing Iga Swiatek into uncomfortable positions time and again. Her ability to attack the second serve proved decisive as she consistently won crucial points during extended rallies.
The victory extended Kostyuk's winning streak to 16 matches and secured her place in the French Open quarterfinals for the first time in her career.
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