World number one Aryna Sabalenka was knocked out of the French Open on Wednesday in a stunning quarterfinal loss to Russia's Diana Shnaider. Despite winning the first set and holding a commanding lead in the second, Sabalenka collapsed, losing 10 consecutive games to fall 3-6 7-5 6-0. Sabalenka described falling into a deep, dark hole mentally and expressed frustration over the decision to keep the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier open during blustery conditions. Shnaider, who reached her first major semi-final, noted she adapted to the wind by studying Sabalenka's struggles in last year's final.
In another upset, Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska reached the semi-finals after defeating 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3) 6-3. Chwalinska is only the second Polish woman to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals and the second qualifier in the Open era to do so. The 24-year-old, who previously took a career break to battle depression, has already earned more than $870,000 during this run, doubling her previous career earnings. She will face Shnaider for a place in the final.
On the men's side, Italy's Flavio Cobolli surged into his first Grand Slam semi-final with a 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory over fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Cobolli attributed some of his success to superstitions, including using the same shower stall as 14-time champion Rafa Nadal. He now awaits the winner of the match between fellow Italians Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi.
The tournament has seen a series of shocks, with early exits for defending champion Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic. For the first time since 1977, no Grand Slam champion will feature in the semi-finals of a major. In the men's draw, Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik have already secured their places in the semi-finals.