A mouth-watering all-Ukraine French Open quarter-final has been confirmed after Elina Svitolina defeated Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. 

The seventh-seeded Svitolina will now play Marta Kostyuk after the latter’s major upset against Iga Świątek. 

Elina Svitolina acknowledges the crowd after her win.  Getty Images

On commentary, former player Irina Falconi described the looming occasion as “incredible”.

“What a moment for Ukraine tennis to have Kostyuk vs Svitolina in the quarter-finals, love to see that, that’s incredible for that country given the circumstances,” she said on the world feed.

Svitolina had to fight hard after trailing early before producing a clinical third set performance. 

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Falconi admitted the effort didn’t seem to be there from Bencic during the finale. 

“It almost felt like Bencic kind of gave up. I’m going to say it, she kind of gave up in that third set, seven games in a row,” she said. 

Unforced errors became the Swiss star’s problem, conceding 33 to Svitolina’s 26. 

Post-match, Svitolina was delighted that her quarter-final showdown means there’ll be a Ukrainian presence in the final four. 

“There’s going to be Ukraine in the semi-finals so it’s really amazing,” she said.

“It couldn’t be a better tournament for us, it’s an amazing achievement for Ukrainian tennis to have so many great players in the top 100 in such a difficult situation with the war and invasion, it’s really difficult, and I think it’s really inspiring for the nation to believe it is possible one day to play on this court and win.”

The women’s draw will pit the winner between Mirra Andreeva and Sorana Cîrstea against Kostyuk or Svitolina. 

Commentator Kathryn Downes said it was a “shame” that either of the in-form Ukrainians will have to depart. 

“(But) what a mouth-watering quarter-final we have set up,” she said. 

Kostyuk’s earlier victory against Swiatek means the French Open will have a new winner with Aryna Sabalenka a strong contender having only won the US Open and Australian Open.