World number one Aryna Sabalenka became the latest high-profile casualty at Roland Garros after suffering a stunning quarter-final defeat to Russia’s Diana Shnaider in Paris.
Sabalenka appeared firmly in control of the contest on Court Philippe-Chatrier, leading by a set and a double break before Shnaider produced a remarkable comeback to claim a 3-6 7-5 6-0 victory and secure her place in a first Grand Slam semi-final.
The Belarusian, widely regarded as the favourite for the title following a series of surprise exits elsewhere in the draw, struggled to regain momentum once Shnaider found her rhythm in challenging windy conditions.
After trailing 6-3 and 4-1, the 25th seed raised her level dramatically, winning the final 10 games of the match to complete one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
The result extends a remarkable trend at this year’s French Open, where several of the sport’s biggest names have already departed earlier than expected. Defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek were among the notable exits, while the men’s draw has also witnessed a number of shocks.
Sabalenka admitted afterwards that she struggled mentally as the match slipped away from her grasp, describing the defeat as one of the most difficult moments of her recent career. The 28-year-old also questioned the decision to leave the roof open despite strong winds that affected conditions throughout the encounter.
For Shnaider, however, the victory marks the biggest achievement of her career to date. The Russian revealed she had learned from watching Sabalenka’s difficulties in similarly windy conditions during last year’s French Open final and adjusted her tactics accordingly.
Shnaider will now face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the semi-finals after another surprise result saw Chwalinska continue her dream run through the tournament.
With many of the pre-tournament favourites already eliminated, Roland Garros 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable Grand Slam events in recent memory, with a new champion guaranteed to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Saturday.
