Shnaider beats Oliynykova at French Open
PARIS: Russian Diana Shnaider beat Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova at the French Open on Saturday in a match overshadowed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The 23rd-ranked Shnaider won 7-5, 6-1 to go into the fourth round after the build-up to the match had been dominated by Oliynykova, who is ranked 65th, accusing her opponent of “taking money” from a “company financing war crimes.” The players did not shake hands after the match. During her post-match press conference on Thursday after she had booked her meeting with Shnaider, Oliynykova brandished her phone to show photos of Shnaider playing in an event sponsored by Russian state energy company Gazprom and also some of the Russian’s social-media ‘likes’. “This is her on the picture on the Gazprom tournament,” said Oliynykova. “Gazprom is a company which is financing the war crimes...I think it’s the same as playing in Nazi Germany for Gestapo officers on the tournament organized by (the) company which built Auschwitz. There is no difference for me.” Shnaider played in a team exhibition tournament held last November in St.