Tearful Kostyuk Reaches French Open Second Round Amid Missile Attack in Ukraine Marta Kostyuk’s emotional journey to the second round of the French Open began with a harrowing realization that a missile strike had narrowly missed her family’s home in Ukraine just hours before her match. The 15th-seeded player from Ukraine, competing on Court Simonne-Mathieu, defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 on the opening day of the 2026 tournament. Her victory, however, was overshadowed by the trauma of learning that a missile had struck a building 100 meters from her parents’ residence, where her mother, sister, and great aunt were present at the time. Kostyuk described the incident as one of the most difficult moments of her career, revealing she had been “crying part of the morning” after receiving the news. “I didn’t know how I would handle it,” she said, her voice trembling. “If it was 100 meters closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mom and a sister today.” Despite the trauma, she expressed relief that no one was injured and emphasized her determination to continue competing. “I knew a lot of Ukrainian flags would be here today and a lot of Ukrainian people would come out to support,” she said, her words punctuated by tears. The match itself was a test of resilience. Kostyuk’s focus on the court allowed her to overcome early challenges, securing her place in the second round. She next faces unseeded American Katie Volynets, while compatriot Elina Svitolina, a recent Italian Open champion, will take on Anna Bondar. Kostyuk’s emotional strength was further highlighted by her gratitude toward fans, who cheered her on after the match, and her acknowledgment of the broader Ukrainian spirit. “I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their life,” she said, “keeping helping people who are in need.#ukraine #french_open #katie_volynets #missile_attack #martas_kostyuk
Iranian Missile Strikes Wound Over 100 in Southern Israeli Towns Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli towns wounded more than 100 people on Saturday, medics reported, after Israeli air defense systems failed to intercept the projectiles. The attacks targeted residential areas, leaving entire apartment blocks with significant damage and prompting widespread panic among civilians. Residents described the strikes as unprecedented in intensity, with explosions shaking the ground and debris raining down. Sheltering from the attack, 17-year-old Ido Franky recounted hearing "terrifying" blasts that felt unlike anything he had experienced before. The teenager’s account highlights the chaos and fear gripping the region as missile impacts shattered homes and disrupted daily life. The strikes, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Israeli officials confirmed that the air defense network, which typically intercepts incoming threats, was overwhelmed by the scale of the attack. This failure raised concerns about the effectiveness of current defensive measures against coordinated missile campaigns. Eyewitnesses and local authorities reported that the damage extended beyond immediate casualties, with infrastructure and buildings in the targeted areas suffering extensive destruction. Emergency services worked tirelessly to rescue trapped individuals and provide medical aid to the injured, though the full extent of the toll remains under assessment. The attacks have intensified calls for increased security measures and international condemnation of the violence. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has vowed to respond decisively, though details of potential retaliation remain unclear.#iran #israel #idf #southern_israel #missile_attack
