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French Open 2026: In yet another upset at French Open 2026, World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has been knocked out of the Grand Slam event as Russia’s Diana Shnaider made it to her first Roland Garros semi-final on June 3, Wednesday. Sabalenka, the Belarusian, won the first set comfortably and seemed like she would storm into the semi-final. But the next two sets saw Shnaider turn the tables as she won 5-7 in the second and didn’t let Sabalenka win any game in the third.
“She’s the world number one, so I just tried to do my best” – Diana Shnaider
In a tournament that has witnessed several shocks including the exits of defending champion Coco Gauff and four-times winner Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka’s loss sent another jolt through the wide-open women’s draw. Shnaider reached her maiden Grand Slam semi-final after an inspired battle in which she won the last 10 games having been two points away from defeat, and she takes on Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the last four.
“Obviously, the first time playing Aryna, I was super nervous. The first set, I was trying to adjust to her game, trying to figure out how to play. I feel like I was trying to focus point by point, not thinking about the score. She’s the world number one, so I just tried to do my best. I just had to fight for every point. It’s definitely a super special win. I feel in the third set I finally found my rhythm and how to play and where to be a bit more. The third set was the one I should be aiming for from the beginning. Super happy to finish on a good note.”
What a comeback 🤯
Diana Shnaider storms back from a set down to defeat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and books her place in her first Grand Slam semi-final 👏 pic.twitter.com/KXglekCRq4
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) June 3, 2026
The conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier proved a massive challenge for both players as they affected precise shot-making, but Sabalenka found her groove to open up a 5-1 advantage before she dropped serve when the wind began to really swirl. The Belarusian let out a frustrated scream after netting a backhand to give Shnaider another breakpoint, but she composed herself again to wrap up the first set in 49 minutes and punch the air to loud applause from the crowd. Russian 25th seed Shnaider dropped her level in the second set to fall behind again before mounting a spectacular comeback to erase a double break and level at 5-5 and drag four-times major champion Sabalenka into a decider.
Left-hander Shnaider’s forehand caused all kinds of issues early in the final set for Sabalenka and the 22-year-old broke for a 2-0 lead with a crosscourt winner before holding firm to seal the win. Last year’s runner-up Sabalenka cut a dejected figure after a defeat that snapped her run of six straight Grand Slam semi-finals.
(With inputs from Reuters)
