Shnaider beat world No1 Sabalenka to reach French Open semi-finals

Russian outsider Diana Shnaider staged a remarkable comeback from a set and a double break down to defeat world number one Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 in windy conditions and book her place in the French Open semi-finals on Wednesday.

In a tournament already filled with upsets, including the exits of defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time winner Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka’s defeat added another shock to a wide-open women’s draw.

Shnaider reached her first Grand Slam semi-final after a stunning fightback, winning the final 10 games of the match despite being just two points away from defeat at one stage. She will now face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the last four.

 “Obviously, the first time playing Aryna, I was super nervous,” Shnaider said. “I was trying to adjust to her game and focus point by point. She’s the world number one, so I just tried to fight for every point.”

She added that finding her rhythm in the third set was key, calling the victory “super special.”

The match was heavily affected by blustery conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier, which made shot-making difficult for both players. Sabalenka had taken a 5-1 lead in the first set before momentum shifted as the wind intensified.

“I don’t know why they kept the roof open when it was so windy,” Sabalenka said. “Mentally, I wasn’t really okay after things started slipping away.”

The Belarusian showed visible frustration during the match and later admitted she struggled mentally after losing control of the second set.

Shnaider, however, capitalized on the momentum, dominating the final set to seal one of the biggest wins of her career and end Sabalenka’s run of six consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearances.