Marta Kostyuk weathered a mid-match storm to defeat Ann Li 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-3 in the Rouen quarterfinals on Friday, advancing to the semifinals despite surrendering a dominant opening set. The Ukrainian’s 78% first-serve winning percentage proved decisive across three rollercoaster sets that saw her bagel Li, lose a tiebreak after serving for the match, then regather to close out the decider.
Kostyuk’s serve looked untouchable early—she fired five aces and won 110 total points to Li’s 83—but her 46% second-serve win rate kept the American in contention. After cruising through the first set without facing a break point, Kostyuk faltered serving for the match at 6-5 in the second. Li, who had won just 26% of second-serve points, suddenly found her footing in the tiebreak, racing to a 7-4 lead to force a decider. The momentum shift proved temporary. Kostyuk’s baseline aggression—historically 154% more prolific in winners than Li’s—reasserted itself in the third set. She broke early, consolidated, and closed out at 6-3 to book her semifinal berth.
Key Takeaways
- Kostyuk’s first-serve dominance was the match’s defining metric—she won 78% of points behind her first delivery, 17 percentage points better than Li’s 61%, offsetting a shaky 46% second-serve win rate.
- The five aces Kostyuk struck exceeded her hard-court average of 3.7 per match, while Li failed to register a single ace despite averaging 5.7 per match historically—a stark reversal of her typical serving profile.
- Li’s 26% second-serve points won exposed a fatal vulnerability. Kostyuk exploited this weakness repeatedly, winning 27 more total points (110-83) even after the second-set tiebreak collapse.
- Both players committed five double faults, but Kostyuk’s five aces created a net advantage on serve that Li—serving at 64% first-serve accuracy—could not match without her usual ace production.
Player Analysis
Marta Kostyuk
Kostyuk’s performance was a tale of two serves. Her first delivery was lethal—78% of points won ranks among her best showings this season—and the five aces (above her 3.7 average) kept Li pinned behind the baseline. But the second serve remains a glaring liability. Winning just 46% of second-serve points invited Li back into the match, particularly in the second-set tiebreak where nerves crept in. The five double faults, consistent with her season average of 4.0, came at inopportune moments. Still, her ability to reset after the tiebreak loss—breaking early in the third and never looking back—demonstrates the mental resilience that carried her to the Brisbane final in January. With a 4-6 hard-court record over her last ten matches, this win signals a potential return to form.
Ann Li
Li’s second-serve struggles doomed her from the outset. Winning just 26% of second-serve points—compared to her typical 60% first-serve percentage—meant she spent the match defending rather than dictating. The zero aces registered is baffling for a player who averages 5.7 per match; without free points on serve, she couldn’t offset Kostyuk’s baseline firepower. The second-set tiebreak showcased her best tennis—aggressive returns, clean striking—but that version of Li appeared for seven points, not three sets. Her 3-7 recent hard-court record reflects a player searching for consistency. The five double faults matched Kostyuk’s total, yet Li lacked the first-serve dominance to balance the errors. If she can rediscover the serving form that defines her game, the talent is there. Friday wasn’t that day.
Match Statistics
| Marta Kostyuk | Stat | Ann Li |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Aces | 0 |
| 5 | Double Faults | 5 |
| 57% | 1st Serve % | 64% |
| 78% | 1st Serve Points Won | 61% |
| 46% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 26% |
| 110 | Total Points Won | 83 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Marta Kostyuk vs Ann Li at Rouen 2026?
Marta Kostyuk defeated Ann Li 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-3 in the Rouen quarterfinals on April 17, 2026.
How many aces did Marta Kostyuk hit against Ann Li?
Marta Kostyuk struck five aces while Ann Li failed to register a single ace in the match.
What was Marta Kostyuk’s first-serve winning percentage at Rouen?
Kostyuk won 78% of her first-serve points, significantly outpacing Ann Li’s 61% first-serve success rate.
Who won the Rouen 2026 quarterfinal between Kostyuk and Li?
Marta Kostyuk won the quarterfinal, advancing to the semifinals after recovering from a second-set tiebreak loss.
What’s Next
Kostyuk advances to the Rouen semifinals, where she’ll seek her second career title after a breakthrough 2025 season. Li’s early exit continues a frustrating spring campaign that’s seen her win just three of her last ten hard-court matches.
Head-to-head history: Ann Li vs Marta Kostyuk.
