Why is Iga Swiatek knocked out at French Open?

Swiatek falls early as Marta Kostyuk ends birthday with upset

Iga Swiatek’s Roland Garros campaign ended in a fourth-round shock when Marta Kostyuk knocked out the four-time French Open champion. The result turned on a lopsided scoreline: Kostyuk won 7-5, 6-1, turning what began as a tight first set into a one-sided second set that left Swiatek unable to regain control.

What Kostyuk’s win did

Kostyuk, playing for the quarterfinal spot, became the latest major-name casualty at Roland Garros as she continued an eye-catching run. The straight-sets nature of the second set mattered because it suggested a clear momentum swing—Kostyuk was able to convert that first-set edge into overwhelming pressure, while Swiatek struggled to adjust.

The upset also coincided with Swiatek’s 25th birthday, and coverage framed the loss as a particularly sour celebration.

Why it matters for Roland Garros

Swiatek’s exit is significant because she has been the sport’s defining force on clay at this event, and a loss for a player of her stature changes the balance of the women’s draw. It also fits a broader pattern of surprising results described in the surrounding day-by-day updates from the tournament.

What to watch next

With Swiatek out, tournament attention shifts toward Kostyuk’s quarterfinal opponent and whether her improved consistency can carry over. More broadly, the major remaining storylines become who can capitalize on the opening left by one of the favorites and whether other seeded players can avoid the same fate.