Diana Shnaider Stuns Aryna Sabalenka In French Open Quarter-Final Collapse

PARIS, France (AFP) — Aryna Sabalenka’s push to win the French Open for the first time ended in a startling quarter-final defeat on Wednesday, as Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider recovered from a heavy early deficit to reach the last four.

The world number one had taken the opening set and then built a double-break advantage, but her match unravelled on Court Philippe Chatrier as the wind swirled and her error count mounted. Shnaider came through 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 after Sabalenka repeatedly handed over points with loose shots.

Shnaider is set to meet Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in Thursday’s semi-finals. The player who comes through that match will face either Marta Kostyuk or Mirra Andreeva in Sunday’s championship match.

“Well honestly I’m speechless, I’m super happy. Obviously tough conditions with the wind,” said the 22-year-old Shnaider, who defeated a top-10 opponent for only the second time. “First time playing Aryna so definitely a lot of nerves and I feel the first set was trying to adjust to her game.”

Sabalenka, the last Grand Slam champion still competing in either singles draw at Roland Garros, could not live up to that standing. She finished with 57 unforced errors, a figure that told the story of her slide.

For Shnaider, who had never before played a major quarter-final, the result now leaves her well placed to chase a spot in the final. Her semi-final opponent, Chwalinska, is ranked 114th in the world and, like Shnaider, plays left-handed.

“Definitely super happy I managed to finish on a good note rather than start on a good note. Definitely a special tournament for me here,” Shnaider said. “It’s going be a lefty battle so I’m looking forward (to the semi-final).”

Sabalenka’s loss brought back memories of last year’s final against Coco Gauff, when she also failed to protect a strong position. The Belarusian had arrived in a 14th straight Grand Slam quarter-final, but she missed the chance to become the first woman since Serena Williams to reach seven consecutive major semi-finals.

The top seed began sharply, moving ahead 5-1 in the first set before eventually taking it on her third set point, having earlier failed to close it out on serve.

The second set appeared to be moving the same way when Sabalenka went 4-1 up with two breaks in hand. But she immediately surrendered serve, and her frustration grew when Shnaider earned three break points that would have made it 4-4. Sabalenka complained animatedly towards her box before steadying herself enough to hold.

That recovery did not last. Sabalenka’s level dropped again, and more poor mistakes allowed Shnaider to break and draw level at 5-5. The Belarusian kept signalling angrily towards her coaching team as control of the contest slipped away.

Shnaider then took the second set after Sabalenka drove back-to-back forehands low into the net, forcing a deciding set that quickly moved away from the top seed.

The Russian’s belief rose as she broke early in the third and led 2-0, with Sabalenka committing eight unforced errors across the first two games of the set.

From there Shnaider controlled the finish. She sealed her semi-final place on a third match point when Sabalenka put a routine backhand into the net. The stunned world number one left the court after collecting only 14 points in the final set.