World No.1 Sabalenka suffers shocking defeat in French Open quarterfinals, ending hopes for first Roland Garros title

(Paris, 3rd, Combined Foreign News) World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, playing as a neutral athlete from Belarus, suffered a shocking defeat in the French Open women's singles quarterfinals on Tuesday, dashing her hopes of winning her first Roland Garros title.

According to AFP, Sabalenka faced Diana Shnaider, a Russian playing as a neutral. After taking the first set and building a lead with two breaks in the second, Sabalenka was undone by a series of unforced errors in the windy conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier, ultimately losing 6-3, 5-7, 0-6, ending her Paris campaign in stunning fashion.

Shnaider will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the semifinals on Wednesday.

"Honestly, I don't know what to say. I'm super happy. Obviously the wind made it tough. It was my first time playing against Aryna, so of course I was nervous. I think the first set was about trying to adapt to her game," said the 22-year-old Shnaider after the match.

"I'm super happy that I could turn it around and finish perfectly. This tournament is definitely special for me," Shnaider said.

Before this match, Sabalenka was the only Grand Slam champion remaining in either the men's or women's singles draw. She committed a staggering 57 unforced errors in the match, leading to her early exit.

Left-handed Shnaider, who reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, is now a strong favorite to reach the final. She will face world No. 114 Chwalinska in the next round.

"The semifinal will be a lefty vs. lefty match. I'm really looking forward to it," Shnaider said.

Sabalenka's incredible collapse recalled her loss in last year's final to American Coco Gauff, where she also squandered a lead.

This was Sabalenka's 14th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, but she failed to become the first woman since American legend Serena Williams to reach seven consecutive semifinals. (Translated by Ho Hung-ju) 1150603