PARIS – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka squandered a set lead and two breaks to lose 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 to Diana Schneider in the French Open quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The four-time major champion led 4-1 in the second set and was just two points away from winning with a 5-4 serving for the match, but was completely defeated by the player playing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
“Well, to be honest, I’m speechless. I’m very happy,” Schneider said. “I feel like I was just trying to focus on each point. I’m not thinking about the score. She’s No. 1 in the world… I just try to do my best. I had to fight for every point.”
Sabalenka stood and screamed after losing 30-0 and a point in the deciding sixth game, and although she saved two match points at 0-40, her shot went into the net and she lost the match. In total, she lost 12 of her last 13 matches.
“I want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after missing the match. “We’ll know in a few days. I hope he’s back to normal mentally.”
Sabalenka’s struggle on Wednesday was reminiscent of last year’s final against Coco Gauff. At that time, she loudly scolded the American, shouted to herself, and glared at the team box before losing.
“You just have to sit back and think honestly about what’s going on in your head in those tough moments,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on the match. “Because I’m a pretty experienced player. I’ve been through a lot and overcome a lot.”
Sabalenka already looked shaky when she served in the first set, but still looked in control when she served in the second set, holding a 30-15 lead.
But Schneider, who was already the best in the majors, defeated Sabalenka before he could fully take control.
Sabalenka looked increasingly frustrated as the third set progressed, and when she missed a volley from the net in the fourth game of the final, she crouched down and rested her head on her racket for a moment.
The momentum changed, and the Belarusian player could not find a way back.
Schneider will next face Maja Chwalinska. Maja Chwalinska continued her incredible run at Roland Garros, beating the number one spot. No. 22 seed Anna Kalinskaya is 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Unseeded Czwarinska made it through three qualifying rounds and became the second Polish woman, along with Iga Swiatek, to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros.
Chwalinska said she was inspired by British player Emma Raducanu’s run to the 2021 US Open title as an 18-year-old qualifier.
“It was a very impressive run,” Chwarinska said. Besides, she was very young.
The 24-year-old Chwalinska, who until now had never made it past the second round at a major, scored her biggest victory when Kalinskaja’s big forehand from the back of the court went wide.
Czwalinska’s total prize money for Roland Garros is $864,030, and if she makes it to the top four, she could earn 750,000 euros (approximately $872,000).
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
