PARIS, JUN 3 (IANS): Russian youngster Diana Shnaider scripted one of the most remarkable comebacks of the 2026 French Open, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s singles quarterfinals at Roland Garros on Wednesday.
The No. 25 seed, competing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, came from a set and double break down to win the last 10 games in succession, sealing a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 victory in two hours and 12 minutes. The win not only secured her maiden entry into a Grand Slam semifinal but also snapped Sabalenka’s streak of six consecutive major semifinal appearances.
Shnaider, 22, looked on the brink of defeat as Sabalenka raced to a commanding lead. The Belarusian was two points away from victory when serving at 5-4 in the second set. However, Shnaider’s resilience and left-handed forehand turned the tide. From 6-3, 4-1 down, she unleashed a flurry of winners to claim 12 of the next 13 games, including the last 10 in a row.
Sabalenka, who struggled to control her game in swirling winds on Court Philippe-Chatrier, committed 57 unforced errors, 17 of them in the deciding set. It was the first time she had lost a set 6-0 since Dubai 2024.
For Shnaider, already a five-time WTA titlist, this was her second Top 10 win in 16 attempts, and her first since defeating Coco Gauff in Toronto 2024. She won a crucial 17-point second game in the final set, which proved decisive in her march to victory.
The Russian’s triumph marks a historic breakthrough, as she now stands one win away from a maiden Grand Slam final.
Chwalinska reaches maiden semis
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska also advanced to her first Grand Slam semifinal, defeating No. 22 seed Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3 in another quarterfinal clash at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Ranked World No. 114, Chwalinska displayed remarkable composure in key moments, converting seven of eight break-point opportunities compared to Kalinskaya’s five of 11. Despite Kalinskaya firing two aces, her six double faults proved costly, allowing Chwalinska to stay within striking distance throughout the match.
The Polish star began by trailing 0-1 but quickly earned successive breaks to lead 5-1. Kalinskaya fought back with four straight games, forcing a tie-break, which Chwalinska won comfortably. In the second set, she dominated with consistent returns and sharp rallies, closing out the match 6-3.
Chwalinska won 82 total points to Kalinskaya’s 69, including 43 receiving points, underscoring her effectiveness on return. For the 24-year-old, this was her eighth win at Roland Garros this year, having come through qualifying.
Her achievement places her in the history books as only the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach the French Open women’s singles semifinals, after Nadia Podoroska in 2020. No qualifier has ever reached the final in Paris, and Chwalinska now stands one win away from rewriting history.