Aryna Sabalenka&rsquo;s bid for a first <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/french-open-dominic-thiem-stuns-champion-novak-djokovic-18316198" rel="nofollow">French Open</a> title was left in tatters as she fell apart in a bizarre defeat by Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
The World No. 1 led by a set and a double-break before exiting the tournament in a blaze of unforced errors, collapsing to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss in blustery conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier.
&ldquo;I just got into a deep, dark hole mentally and I just couldn&rsquo;t get back on track,&rdquo; said an emotional Sabalenka after the match.
<img title="A dejected Aryna Sabalenka after her quarter-final defeat to Diana Shnaider at the French Open on Wednesday. Pics/AFP" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/aryna-roland_e.jpg" alt="A dejected Aryna Sabalenka after her quarter-final defeat to Diana Shnaider at the French Open on Wednesday. Pics/AFP" width="1280" height="720" />A dejected Aryna Sabalenka after her quarter-final defeat to Diana Shnaider at the French Open on Wednesday. Pics/AFP
The Belarusian also questioned why the roof was left open amidst such windy conditions. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why they would keep the roof open when it was crazy windy. Even though I was winning, it was very dirty tennis. Then at some point she [Shnaider] stepped in and played unbelievably,&rdquo; said Sabalenka.
Meanwhile, Shnaider will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the semi-finals on Thursday.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m speechless, I&rsquo;m super happy. Obviously tough conditions with the wind. First time playing Aryna, so definitely a lot of nerves. I feel like in the third set I finally found my rhythm. Where to be a little more on defence and where to attack,&rdquo; said Shnaider, 22.
With the match at one set apiece, the Russian grew in confidence and moved 2-0 up in the third as Sabalenka sprayed eight unforced errors in the space of two games. Shnaider cruised to victory from there, when Sabalenka knocked a routine backhand straight into the net.
<h2>Who is Diana Shnaider?</h2>
. Diana Maximovna Shnaider, 22, was born in Zhigulevsk, Russia.&nbsp; . She began playing tennis at age four; pursuing it seriously at eight. She is currently ranked 25th in the world.&nbsp; . In 2022, she moved to the USA and enrolled at North Carolina State University, where she played college tennis.&nbsp; . Shnaider made her Grand Slam debut at the 2023 <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/lakshya-sen-clinches-first-title-of-season-at-australian-open-super-500-23604514" rel="nofollow">Australian Open</a>.
Four No. of years since Aryna Sabalenka lost at the French Open before the semi-final stage&nbsp;
57 No. of unforced errors made by Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-final on Wednesday&nbsp;
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World No. 1 Aryna suffers shock 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 defeat to Russia’s Shnaider in quarters; says she fell into a dark hole mentally as unforced errors piled up

‘Princess’ Diana stuns queen Sabalenka in French Open

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‘Princess’ Diana stuns queen Sabalenka in French Open

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