06/04/26 09:36:00
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06/04 09:35 CDT No handshake and no photo as Andreeva of Russia beats Kostyuk
of Ukraine to reach French Open final
No handshake and no photo as Andreeva of Russia beats Kostyuk of Ukraine to
reach French Open final
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam
final by beating Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-1, 6-3 at the French Open on
Thursday.
Andreeva converted her first match point when she served for the match. There
was no post-match handshake between them and Kostyuk walked off quickly,
turning only to wave and blow kisses to the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier,
which saw some fans draped in Ukrainian flags.
The atmosphere beforehand was somewhat tense as the players had separate photos
taken as they each stood next to two children on their respective side of the
net. Usually the players pose for the same photo, standing right next to each
other by the net.
Kostyuk and countrywoman Oleksandra Oliynykova have spoken out during the
tournament about the impact Russia's invasion of Ukraine is having on their
country.
Later Thursday, the other semifinal featured left-handed players Diana Shnaider
of Russia and Maja Chwalinska of Poland.
Mixed doubles
Top-seeded Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori of Italy won the mixed doubles
final earlier Thursday, beating Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and American Evan
King 4-6, 6-3, 10-4.
An Italian is guaranteed to be in Sunday's men's Open singles final, with
Flavio Cobolli facing fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Friday in the first
Grand Slam semifinal for both players.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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