Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk says it’s hard to go to sleep knowing you may wake up to the news that Russia is launching a nuclear attack on Ukraine. In recent weeks and days, talk of Russia’s use of its nuclear weapon has increased.
«I was very nervous these last few days. When I go to sleep, I think: Is there going to be a nuclear attack or what will happen the next time I wake up? You never know what to expect,» Kostyuk said.
Kostyuk retired in Guadalajara
This week Kostyuk competed at the WTA 1000 event in Guadalajara.
After beating Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round, Kostyuk was unable to defeat sixth-ranked Maria Sakkari. On Wednesday, Sakkari defeated Kostyuk 6-4 6-4. Sakkari broke Kostyuk in the first game of the match, but the Ukrainian came back in the second game to tie the first set at one game apiece.
After losing his first break, Sakkari broke Kostyuk again in game five for a 3-2 lead. As was the case early in the set, Sakkari was immediately broken in the next game as Kostyuk tied the first set at three games apiece.
However, Sakkari was able to keep her composure when she broke Kostyuk again in the ninth game and served for the first set in the next game. In the second set, the first break points were seen in the sixth game, when Sakkari saved two consecutive break points to set at three games each.
After saving two consecutive break points, Sakkari earned the first break of the second set in game nine to open a 5-4 lead. In game ten, when Sakkari was serving for the match, Kostyuk had three break points in a row.
But Kostyuk once again missed his break chances as Sakkari managed to close out the match in straight sets. Kostyuk and Sakkari were playing against each other for the second time. Sakkari also defeated Kostyuk in straight sets when they met at the US Open last year.
