Russian 25th seed stages comeback to knock out world No. 1 after dramatic quarter-final collapse.
Image: NBC News
Diana Shnaider produced a major upset at the French Open, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals in Paris.
Sabalenka started strongly and led by a set and a double break, but her level dropped sharply in difficult windy conditions. The top seed committed 57 unforced errors as she lost control of the match.
Shnaider, playing her first Grand Slam quarter-final, stayed composed and gradually took advantage of Sabalenka’s mistakes. She fought back to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 and complete a stunning comeback.
The Russian now moves into the semi-finals, where she will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska. The other semi-final will be decided between Marta Kostyuk and Mirra Andreeva, with a place in Sunday’s final at stake.
Sabalenka’s defeat ends her run as the only Grand Slam champion remaining in the draw. It also denies her a chance to reach a seventh consecutive major semi-final, as her performance unravelled in a decisive final set where she won just 14 points
