World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka Authors Stunning Collapse At French Open

BusinessSportsMoneyWorld No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka Authors Stunning Collapse At French OpenByAdam Zagoria,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm a basketball and tennis insiderFollow AuthorJun 03, 2026, 10:52am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.TOPSHOT - Aryna Sabalenka reacts as she plays against Diana Shnaider during their women's quarter final singles match on day 11 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesWorld No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was cruising towards a semifinal appearance at Roland Garros….until she wasn’t.The four-time Grand Slam champion led by a set and was two points from victory when serving for the match at 5-4 before completely collapsing against a player appearing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Sabalenka dropped 10 straight games en route to a devastating 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to No. 25 Diana Shnaider of Russia.“Honestly I’m speechless,” Shnaider said. "I’m super happy. Obviously today a little tough conditions with the wind. First time playing Aryna. Super nervous. Playing the quarterfinals for the first time. The first set I was just kind of trying to adjust to her game. Then to the conditions and to the wind. Trying to figure out how to play. I was just trying to focus point by point, not think about the score. I was like, it’s OK, it’s tough conditions. She’s the world #1. So I’ll just try to do my best til the end and see how it goes. I just fought for every point. Try to run for every ball and make it extra into the court.”The women’s semifinals now feature a stunning collection of names unfamiliar to many tennis fans.Shnaider will face qualifier Maja Chwalińska of Poland, who upset No. 22 Anna Kalinskaya, 7-6, 6-3.The other semifinal features Russian No...