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The top-rated Sabalenka slipped to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 defeat in blustery conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier against the Russian Shnaider.
Aryna Sabalenka. (X)
Aryna Sabalenka succumbed to Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinal of the French Open as the Belarusian’s quest of a first crown at Roland Garros was dashed on Wednesday as she unravelled in strange fashion to the Russian.
The world number one led by a set and a double break before her game disintegrated amid a flurry of unforced errors, slipping to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 defeat in blustery conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier.
“I felt like when I saw her being emotional, I was, like, ‘Yes, you’re going in the right direction, just stay focused on yourself, don’t pay too much attention to her, what she’s saying to her team or whatever she’s doing’,” said Shnaider, who has now beaten a top-10 player for only the second time in her career.
Shnaider will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in Thursday’s semi-finals, with Marta Kostyuk or Mirra Andreeva awaiting the winner in Sunday’s final.
“She’s a very tricky player, so I’m not surprised she’s good. Sometimes it just takes time,” said the 22-year-old of Chwalinska, whom she defeated at a lower-tier event in Istanbul four years ago.
Sabalenka was the only Grand Slam champion remaining in either the men’s or women’s singles draws at Roland Garros, but her performance hardly reflected that status as she racked up 57 unforced errors.
“You know those rooms where you just go in and smash everything?” Sabalenka said with a smile when asked how she would process the loss.
“Probably I will spend a whole day tomorrow in there destroying stuff. Maybe it will help, maybe not.”
Playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, Shnaider now finds herself a strong favourite to reach the final as she prepares for a last-four clash with world number 114 and fellow left-hander Chwalinska.
“Definitely a special tournament for me here,” the Russian added.
“It’s going to be a lefty battle, so I’m looking forward to the semi-final.”
Sabalenka’s scarcely believable collapse echoed her defeat in last year’s final against Coco Gauff, when she also let a commanding position slip.
“I knew the final last year, I watched it. I knew it was also super windy,” said Shnaider.
“So of course I had that thought in the back of my mind that she was struggling with Coco last year. I was, like, ‘Yeah, I’ve got to use this opportunity, I need to just adjust and do my best’.”
The Belarusian was contesting a 14th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final, but failed to become the first woman since Serena Williams to reach seven straight major semi-finals.
The top seed flew into a 5-1 lead and, despite initially failing to serve out the set, closed it on her third set point.
The second set began in similar fashion, with Sabalenka surging 4-1 ahead with a double break, only to surrender her next service game.
Her frustration grew as she handed Shnaider three break points to level at 4-4. After some animated exchanges with her box, she gathered herself briefly to hold serve.
But the 28-year-old’s game continued to unravel. A succession of poor unforced errors allowed Shnaider to break again and level the match at one set all, as Sabalenka gesticulated wildly towards her coaching team.
Shnaider could hardly believe her fortune when Sabalenka dumped consecutive forehands into the net to hand over the second set and force a decider.
The Russian’s confidence soared as she raced to a 2-0 lead in the third, with Sabalenka spraying eight unforced errors around Chatrier in just two games.
From there, Shnaider cruised to the finish line, sealing her place in the semi-finals when Sabalenka pushed a routine backhand into the net on the third match point.
The stunned world number one trudged off court having won only 14 points in the deciding set.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
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