PARIS: Marta Kostyuk’s first-round win at the French Open became one of her toughest matches after she found out beforehand that a missile almost hit her parents’ home in Ukraine. Kostyuk fought back tears after beating Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 on Court Simonne-Mathieu on the opening day of the clay-court Grand Slam at Roland Garros in western Paris. “I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career,” the 15th-seeded Kostyuk said. After the match, she thanked fans and received an ovation. “I think it’s important to keep going,” the 23-year-old Kostyuk said.

Kostyuk's work to separate her self-worth from her results has led to the flourishing of a player whose talent was never in doubt.

Kostyuk, the No. 15 seed, was speaking after beating Oksana Selekhmeteva, who recently switched nationality from Russia to Spain.