Shnaider stuns Sabalenka at windy French Open to make semi-finals

PARIS, June 3 : Russian outsider Diana Shnaider battled from a set and a double break down to shock world number one Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 7-5 6-0 in blustery conditions and charge into the French Open semi-finals on a windswept Wednesday.

In a tournament that has witnessed several shocks including the exits of defending champion Coco Gauff and four-times winner Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka's defeat sent another jolt through the wide-open women's draw.

Shnaider reached her maiden Grand Slam semi-final after an inspired battle in which she won the last 10 games having been two points away from defeat, and she takes on Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the last four.

"Obviously, the first time playing Aryna, I was super nervous. The first set, I was trying to adjust to her game, trying to figure out how to play," Shnaider said.

"I feel like I was trying to focus point by point, not thinking about the score. She's the world number one, so I just tried to do my best. I just had to fight for every point.

"It's definitely a super special win. I feel in the third set I finally found my rhythm and how to play and where to be a bit more. The third set was the one I should be aiming for from the beginning. Super happy to finish on a good note."

The conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier proved a massive challenge for both players as they affected precise shot-making, but Sabalenka found her groove to open up a 5-1 advantage before she dropped serve when the wind began to really swirl.

"I don't know why would they keep the roof open when it's crazy windy," Sabalenka told reporters.

"But how can I complain, if for almost the whole match everything was working okay for me, but then it just slipped away. I feel like it was getting crazy maybe just