Aryna Sabalenka became the latest star to suffer a shocking defeat at this year’s edition of Roland Garros.
Following the exits of Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka fell to 25th seed Diana Shnaider, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.
The Belarusian was up a set and 4-1 in the second, but then lost 12 of the final 13 games in what was a remarkable comeback from Shnaider.
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Sabalenka was the favourite to go all the way this year, following her near-miss in last season’s final to Gauff.
Analysing the match, seven-time French Open champion Chris Evert suggested the same issue the world number one faced in 2026 has reared its head again this time around.
Chris Evert reacts to Aryna Sabalenka’s defeat in Paris
Speaking on TNT Sports, Evert said: “I mean, when you think about it, she had a meltdown sort of last year and Coco Gauff beat her.
“And she said in the press conference, I will never let that happen to me again. I have learned a hard lesson in my tennis and I will be more calm and more unemotional.
“And sure enough, she played in the wind, the wind, it wasn’t only her opponent, it was the wind that got her ruffled, and she was talking to her box.
“It really upset her. And again, she was very emotional, and I think that lost her the match as well.”
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Former British player Tim Henman added: “Also as well, when she reflects on this, as Chrissy mentioned in the final last year, it was the wind, it was 70 unforced errors, and she didn’t really make those adjustments to play with a little bit more margin for error, a little bit safer away from the lines.
“And then she’s got into a similar situation against with all due respect to a lesser player and she didn’t make those adjustments.
“We all know that sometimes you learn more from your losses than your wins. But from 12 months ago, she hasn’t really made those adjustments, and it cost her yesterday.”
Chris Evert suggests Aryna Sabalenka did not adapt during loss
Evert continued: “That is her game. It’s all out attack on every single shot that she hits. There’s no holding back.
“She doesn’t have a defence. She controls the point, you know, but as Tim said, she just didn’t make the adjustments as far as, okay, this isn’t a normal day. This is a very windy day. I have to adapt.
“And she was going for the lines, and they were going two feet out. Why not have, you know, go for two feet inside the line and play it a little bit safer. And that’s what you have to do in the wind.”
Sabalenka’s conqueror, Shnaider, had only ever gone as far as the fourth round at a Grand Slam prior to this year’s French Open.
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