PARIS — It’s happened again. For the second straight year, the world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was unable to handle the Paris wind and suffered more French Open heartbreak.
In the 2025 final, it was Coco Gauff who took advantage; on Wednesday it was Russian No. 25 seed Diana Shnaider who kept her composure as Sabalenka imploded again at Roland Garros, going from one game from victory to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 defeat.
Given how much Sabalenka struggled once more in the windy conditions, it feels like it’s becoming as big an issue for her as extreme heat is for the men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. And at a tournament she has never won and where she was the overwhelming favorite with her three main rivals all eliminated early, this was a crushing disappointment at an event where the scar tissue is piling up. It was her earliest Grand Slam exit since a stomach bug contributed to a last-eight defeat here to Mirra Andreeva two years ago. The wait for a first non-hard court Grand Slam title goes on.
Given the opportunity for a maiden title here and the fact Sabalenka led by a set and a double break, this will have to rank as one of her biggest disappointments. And there have been a few of those at the majors over the last few years.
Shnaider will play Poland’s Maja Chwalińska in the semifinals, in a golden opportunity for both players to take a step into history.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Tennis, Top Sports News, Women’s Tennis
2026 The Athletic Media Company
