Marta Kostyuk has broken new ground at the
Madrid Open while
continuing her unbeaten streak on clay in 2026. She defeated Mirra Andreeva
6-3, 7-5 in a
convincing display to clinch a first WTA 1000 title.
She has taken full advantage of the big seeds tumbling out of the tournament, opening it up while capitalising on the opponents ahead of her. Following her title in Rouen, that is now an 11th win in a row which has made her a forced to be reckoned with as the clay swing prolongs.
Kostyuk broke away at the end of the first set to move into a commanding lead. She was then pushed in the second set but pounced on a late double fault by Andreeva to break, serving it out as she broke new ground.
There were no handshakes at the end between them amid the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Rampant Kostyuk seizes advantage
Kostyuk looked formidable from the off. There were no nerves
when four relatively comfortable holds kicked off the match. The Ukrainian
dropped zero points on serve in that period. Her forehand was working very well
and conjured up a number of winners. This helped her get the breakthrough in
this final. She created the first break point of the match and took it expertly
as she sailed into an ominous lead.
The world number 23 would rise to a career high of 15th
if she got over the line in the Spanish capital. She backed up the break to
move 5-2 ahead, winning three games on the spin.
This commanding spell put Andreeva on the back foot, but she
responded well. She forced Kostyuk to serve it out before having the first chances
to break in this final – two in fact. These were both deflected away, but it
took Kostyuk two attempts to get over the line after a double fault halted her
progress. After some cracking points, she was able to confirm the first set and
take a huge step towards the title.
Topsy turvey set falls in the hand of Kostyuk
The second set continued from the first. Kostyuk flung the
pressure on the Andreeva serve and clinically converted her second break point
of the match. However, the momentum shifted towards the other side of the
court. Andreeva won seven points in a row. In the midst of this was a break backed
up by a hold to love.
Marta Kostyuk won the 2026 Madrid Open
It went from bad to worse for Kostyuk. At one point she was
a set and a break up. She would fall to a break disadvantage as Andreeva upped
the levels. Once more, this topsy turvey set had another twist. Kostyuk broke
to love and instantly and got the set back on serve. This was culminated by a
hold to love, a precious eight-point swing that knocked back Andreeva back.
Kostyuk continued to remain unchallenged on serve as the
score was levelled at 4-4. It would go to 5-5 two games later, but it would have
been a completely different picture if Andreeva had sewn the set up with one of
the two set points that was offered up.
This would prove to be pivotal. Kostyuk fortuned off a
double fault and had the chance to serve it out for a maiden WTA 1000 title. She took her third match point before dropping to the floor in delight and emotion. She continues her rapid rise in the sport.