Marta Kostyuk wins French Open opener hours after missile strikes close to parents’ house in Ukraine - 'One of the most difficult matches'

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Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk said she was "proud" to come through "one of the most difficult matches" of her career in the French Open after a missile struck near her parents' home earlier on Sunday morning.

'I've been crying' - Kostyuk gives moving interview just hours after missile near her parents' home

Video credit: TNT Sports

Kostyuk, seeded No. 15 in Paris, beat Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2 6-3 on Sunday to ensure her place in the second round of the clay major.

Her match took place shortly after a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv, the capital of Kostyuk's home country.

Speaking on court after the first-round victory, Kostyuk said she had endured "a very difficult morning" in the lead-up to opening her French Open campaign.

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"I’m incredibly proud of myself today," Kostyuk said. "I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 metres away from my parents’ house, a missile destroyed the building.

"It was a very difficult morning. I didn’t know how this match was going to turn around for me. I didn’t know how I would handle it. I’ve been crying part of the morning."

Kostyuk's victory extended her impressive run on clay, with the 23-year-old having won two titles on the bounce, and 12 matches in succession on the surface.

Marta Kostyuk - Oksana Selekhmeteva - Roland-Garros highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I don't want to talk about myself today," Kostyuk said.

"I’m very pleased to be in the second round, but all of my thoughts and all my heart goes to the people of Ukraine today. Thank you so much for coming out. Slava Ukraini [Glory to Ukraine]."

She added: "I think it’s important to keep going. My biggest example is Ukrainian people. I woke up in the morning today and I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their lives, kept helping people who are in need.

"I knew a lot of Ukrainian flags would be here today, and a lot of Ukrainian people would come out and support. My friends from Ukraine came as well. Very happy to have them here. Not much I can say."

It was largely a comfortable performance from Kostyuk as she broke Selekhmeteva three times in the opening set.

After losing her first service game in the second, the 23-year-old recovered with three successive breaks to put the outcome of the match beyond doubt.

Selekhmeteva earned a break of her own and threatened a comeback when she saved two match points to consolidate, but could not prevent Kostyuk from serving out the match at her second opportunity.

Kostyuk will face American Katie Volynets in the second round.

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