World number two and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina suffered a surprise second-round defeat at the French Open on Wednesday. In the biggest upset of the tournament so far, Rybakina was knocked out by unseeded Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva.
The match ended 3-6 6-1 7-6(10-4) in favor of Starodubtseva. Rybakina struggled under the sweltering sun and blew a one-set lead, which ultimately sent her spinning out of the competition.
This loss marks Rybakina's earliest exit from any WTA tournament since the 2025 Miami Open. Her departure leaves the women's draw short of a genuine contender for the title in Paris.