Sabalenka Loses French Open Quarterfinal After Leading by Set and Double Break
6 verified2 unconfirmed1 contested
World number one Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated from the French Open in the quarterfinals by Diana Shnaider, despite holding a commanding lead. Sabalenka won the first set 6-3 and was ahead by a double break in the second set before losing 12 of the final 13 games in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 defeat. The loss makes Sabalenka the latest top seed to exit Roland Garros, following defending champion Coco Gauff, four-time champion Iga Swiatek, and 2026 Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka, who has never won the French Open title, said in her post-match press conference that she felt like she wanted to quit tennis. She cited mental and emotional struggles, as well as windy conditions, as factors in her collapse. The Belarusian had been the overwhelming favorite to win her first clay-court major given the absence of other Grand Slam champions in the draw.
What’s verified
Aryna Sabalenka is the world number one in women’s tennis.
She lost to Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarterfinals.
The final score was 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 in favor of Shnaider.
Sabalenka led by a set and a double break before losing the match.
She stated in her press conference that she wanted to quit tennis.
Other top players including Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina had already been knocked out of the tournament.
Where accounts differ
Sources disagree on the exact point in the match where Sabalenka held a double break. One source reported she was up 6-3, 4-1, while another reported a 6-3, 5-3 lead. Both agree she led by a set and a double break.
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that Sabalenka questioned why the roof at Court Philippe-Chatrier was left open during windy conditions, citing a similar situation from the previous year. This detail was not included in the other source.
One source provided specific career statistics including Sabalenka’s four Grand Slam titles (two Australian Opens, two US Opens), four final losses, and six semifinal defeats, as well as her unforced error count of 57 against 46 winners in the match. The other source did not include these numbers.
Key figures
Aryna Sabalenka – world number one tennis player
Diana Shnaider – opponent who defeated Sabalenka
Sources: BBC News, Sky Sports
