Aryna Sabalenka wraps up French Open campaign with a quarterfinal finish

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Down goes Aryna Sabalenka.

The heavily favored WTA star to win this year’s French Open Grand Slam title received a harsh reality check after conceding a massive lead to Diana Shnaider, 6-3, 5-7, 0-6, during their quarterfinal clash on June 3, 2026, at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris, France.

Up 6-3, 4-1 with only two games needed to complete the sweeping win, Sabalenka was bound for another masterclass as she was all smiles after hitting a flat down-the-line winner to extend her second-set cushion to three games.

However, all those smiles quickly turned into a state of shock as the resilient netter from Russia pulled off a comeback for the ages that no one ever imagined, especially against the laser-focused Sabalenka.

Shnaider trailed 1-4 after Sabalenka’s offensive display, but the world No. 23 WTA player showed nerves of steel, winning eight consecutive games to erase the Belarusian’s three-game advantage.

After the second set was deadlocked at 4-all, Shnaider smelled blood and pummeled Sabalenka with her tricky topspin groundstrokes.

Shnaider used the blustering wind conditions to her advantage as she completely neutralized Sabalenka’s deep, flat forehands by hitting the topspin groundstroke with more force.

As a result, Sabalenka was kicked out of her comfort zone and was pushed back to the wide side of the backhand area. The return was either a looping forehand or an emergency slice pickup, which favored Shnaider, who was waiting midcourt to finish the rallies with a simple drop.

In a jiffy, Sabalenka’s perfect tennis display in the first half was gone. Shnaider rode her momentum en route to an unexpected lopsided affair in the third and deciding set.

The majority expected the more experienced Sabalenka to rise to the occasion in the third frame, but Shnaider sustained her topspin prowess and didn’t give her any room to breathe.

In the boldest way to send the world No. 1 packing, Shnaider bagged a demoralizing bagel in the third set and swept all the remaining nine games to formalize the insane upset win.

“Tough conditions with the wind, first time playing Aryna, super nervous,” Shnaider said after the big win.

“Quarterfinals for the first time, definitely a lot of nerves. I feel like first there was trying to adjust to her game and then to the conditions, to the wind. Trying to figure out how to play. I was just trying to focus point by point, not thinking about the score.”

Shnaider capped the impressive comeback victory with 99 total points won, including seven break points, a service ace, and 55 points on the return.

On the other hand, Sabalenka never regained her footing in the second half of the match, suffering 57 unforced errors, with 17 coming in the final set.