Marta Kostuyuk clinces first title with a win over Varvara Gracheva

Marta Kostuyuk clinched her maiden WTA title at the ATX open with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over the Russian Varvara Gracheva, in Austin, Texas.

She dedicated her win for her country and “to all the people who are fighting and dying” as a result of Russia invasion in Ukraine. Therefore, it is no surprise that the 20-years-old refused to shake the hand of her Russian opponent.

“Being in the position that I am in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” Kostyuk said during the trophy ceremony at the inaugural edition of the hard-court tournament in the Texas capital, “and I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people that are fighting and dying right now.”

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Kostuyuk has been very vocal and direct in her disapproval of Russia’s actions over the past year and had previously refused to shake the hand of Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, at the US Open.