Diana Shnaider defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, rallying from a set and a double break down to win 3-6 7-5 6-0. The 21-year-old Russian credited her victory to lessons learned from Sabalenka's struggles in last year's windy final against Coco Gauff.
Shnaider said she recalled how the Belarusian faltered in similar blustery conditions 12 months ago. “I had that thought in the back of my mind that she was struggling with Coco last year,” Shnaider told reporters. “I was like, 'yeah, I've got to use this opportunity, I need to just adjust.'”
After losing the first set and falling behind a double break in the second, Shnaider shifted tactics. She began stepping in more aggressively on Sabalenka's second serve, forcing unforced errors and shifting momentum.
“The momentum was shifting a little bit towards my side. I believed more in myself,” Shnaider said. “After winning the second set, 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.”
Shnaider expressed surprise that the Court Philippe Chatrier roof was not closed during the match. The roof was open when play began, despite the warm-up taking place with it closed. “I was a little bit surprised with that decision,” she said. “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.”