World number one Aryna Sabalenka saw her French Open title hopes vanish as she completely unravelled in a crushing quarter-final defeat by Diana Shnaider in yet another shock result at this year’s tournament.
Sabalenka, a beaten finalist at Roland Garros last year, was 6-3 4-1 up before the momentum suddenly shifted and sparked an extraordinary comeback from Shnaider.
The Russian 25th seed, playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, reeled off 12 of the final 13 games to win 3-6 7-5 6-0 and complete a monumental upset.
Belarusian Sabalenka had been the only Grand Slam singles champion remaining in an open women’s draw and was the heavy favourite for the title.
Shnaider will face qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the last four after the Pole defeated Anna Kalinskaya earlier on Wednesday.
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