World number one Aryna Sabalenka suffered a stunning quarter-final collapse at Roland-Garros, losing 6-3, 5-7, 0-6 to 25th seed Diana Shnaider. The Belarusian, who had not dropped a set in her first four matches, was two points from victory in the second set before losing 12 of the final 13 games.
Sabalenka, a four-time major champion, was visibly frustrated throughout the match, shouting at herself and her box as errors mounted. She finished with 57 unforced errors, including 17 in the final set, which lasted just 33 minutes. The wind on Court Philippe-Chatrier played a role, but Sabalenka admitted her mental state was the primary issue.
In her press conference, a subdued Sabalenka said: 'No thoughts, no emotions. I just want to quit tennis right now, but we'll see in a few days. Mentally, I couldn't really recover after the second set. I think that was the biggest mistake from me.' She added: 'I just am so tired of me losing some matches not in the best way just because I was overemotional.'
The defeat echoes her meltdown in last year's final against Coco Gauff. Sabalenka acknowledged the pattern, saying: 'I have been through so many things, and I overcome so many things. I just have to figure that little thing that is not working for me sometimes.' When asked how she would bounce back, she replied: 'I don't know.'
Shnaider, playing in her first grand slam quarter-final, praised her opponent's quality but noted the challenging conditions. 'Tough conditions with the wind, first time playing Aryna, super nervous,' the Russian said. 'I was like, it's OK. It's tough conditions, she's the world No. 1. I will just try to do my best to the end.'
