Aryna Sabalenka has crashed out of the French Open.
The world number one suffered an astonishing collapse against 25th seed Diana Shnaider, conceding 10 consecutive games to lose 6-1, 5-7, 0-6 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Sabalenka struggled to deal with the windy conditions throughout and, in truth, the Belarusian’s emotions got the better of her towards the end of the contest.
What’s next for Aryna Sabalenka after shock French Open exit?
In what has been a tournament of shocks, Sabalenka is the latest high-profile name to fall.
Shnaider, who fought admirably throughout the contest, has reacted to her historic victory in Paris.
Diana Shnaider reacts to her stunning victory over Aryna Sabalenka
“I am speechless. I am super happy,” an elated Shnaider told Marion Bartoli during her post-match speech.
“Obviously today tough conditions with the wind and first time playing Aryna. I was super nervous, being in the quarter finals for the first time.
“The first set was just trying to adjust to her game and the conditions and the wind and trying to figure out how to play.
“I was just trying to focus point by point, not thinking about the score.
The Roland Garros Women’s Singles semi-finalists
- Marta Kostyuk
- Mirra Andreeva
- Maja Chwalinksa
- Diana Shnaider
“I was like it’s okay, it’s tough conditions, she is world number one and I will try and do my best until the end and we will see how it goes and just fight for every point and try to run for every ball and make it into the court.
“I mean definitely super special win. I feel like in the third set I finally found my rhythm and how to play.
“Where to be a bit more defensive and when to attack. I feel the third set was the one I should be aiming for from the beginning but super happy I managed to finish on a good note.
“It’s been a super special tournament for me here,” the Russian continued.
Shnaider will make her Grand Slam semi-final debut later this week against world number 114 Maja Chwalinska.
Chwalinska became only the second qualifier to reach the semi-finals in Paris when she defeated Anna Kalinskaya earlier on Wednesday.
The winner of Chwalinska and Shnaider will play either Marta Kostyuk or Mirra Andreeva in the Roland Garros final.
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How will Aryna Sabalenka recover?
After suffering heartbreak in the final of last year’s Roland Garros event, Aryna Sabalenka has yet again come up short.
This was truly an unbelievable defeat; particularly the manner in which she lost.
The world number one, who was the overwhelming favourite to win her first title in Paris, well and truly fell apart in the windy Court Philippe Chatrier conditions.
There can be no excuses for this defeat and there is only one word to describe it: shocking.
The Belarusian, who has made a habit of suffering monumental collapses on the Grand Slam stage, will need to pick herself up quickly ahead of the grass-court swing.
Sabalenka’s next event is expected to be the Berlin Open, starting on June 13.
