Shnaider draws on Sabalenka's past struggles to score French Open upset

Diana Shnaider drew inspiration from Aryna Sabalenka's past difficulties in windy conditions to stage a comeback victory against the world number one in the French Open quarterfinals. Shnaider rallied from a set and a double break down to defeat Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.

“

Of course I knew in the final last year ... it was super windy. I had that thought in the back of my mind that she was struggling with Coco last year. I was like, 'yeah, I've got to use this opportunity, I need to just adjust.'

"Of course I knew in the final last year... it was super windy," Shnaider told reporters. "I had that thought in the back of my mind that she was struggling with Coco last year. I was like, 'yeah, I've got to use this opportunity, I need to just adjust.'"

Shnaider explained that after losing the first set and facing a deficit in the second, she decided to play more aggressively. "I was starting to step in more on her second serve, putting more pressure," she said. "She got a couple of unforced errors here and there. The momentum was shifting a little bit towards my side. I believed more in myself."

“

I was starting to step in more on her second serve, putting more pressure. She got a couple of unforced errors here and there. The momentum was shifting a little bit towards my side. I believed more in myself.

After securing the second set, Shnaider felt a surge of confidence, noting, "I was like, 'Yay, she hasn't lost a set here and I'm the first one (to take one off her).' In the third set... I just tried to be more aggressive and go for my shots."

“

I was like, 'Yay, she hasn't lost a set here and I'm the first one (to take one off her).' In the third set ... I just tried to be more aggressive and go for my shots.

Both players expressed surprise that the Court Philippe Chatrier roof remained open despite the challenging wind. "I was warming up with a closed roof. I didn't know they were going to open it up," Shnaider said. "I was a little bit surprised with that decision. But again, the conditions were very tough, there were a lot of dirty shots, it was very unpredictable, a lot of wind and a lot of sand."

“

I was warming up with a closed roof. I didn't know they were going to open it up. They were starting to open it right when I was finishing my warm-up. I was a little bit surprised with that decision. But again, the conditions were very tough, there were a lot of dirty shots, it was very unpredictable, a lot of wind and a lot of sand.