Updated at\u00a012.16 EDT<\/p>\n
AA suddenly reverts to late first set and early second set AA, holding in the first game of the third set and then working his way to break point at 30-40. A wry smile from the Canadian when his backhand goes wide. And it\u2019s jeu Cobolli two points later. It\u2019s AA 6-4, 4-6, 1-1 Cobolli.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.15 EDT<\/p>\n If Cobolli goes on to win from here, he\u2019ll set up what I think would be a first all-Italian men\u2019s grand slam semi-final. The last of the quarter-finals, the battle of the Matteos, takes place in this evening\u2019s session.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Cobolli wins the second set 6-4<\/p>\n Cobolli holds to 15, which leaves AA serving to stay in this second set. Which the Canadian does with some aplomb, rattling through four unanswered points. Now Cobolli is serving for it \u2013 and the Italian demands the ball back for the second point after taking the first. It\u2019s a superstition that works. 30-0. 40-15. Game and set Cobolli, with an unreturned serve down the middle. Since this match has moved indoors Cobolli is a man transformed.<\/p>\n Flavio Cobolli enjoys taking the second set as a ball kid takes evasive action. Photograph: St\u00e9phane Mah\u00e9\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.01 EDT<\/p>\n A few results on the other courts: Britain\u2019s Henry Patten and Finland\u2019s Harri Heliovaara, favourites of this blog, have advanced to the men\u2019s doubles semi-finals, coming through in straight sets. Andy Lapthorne and Gregory Slade both lost in the quad wheelchair singles quarter-finals, but Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, the six-times defending champions in the wheelchair doubles, are into the last four.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The official line is that the roof has been closed because of the threat of rain, rather than the wind. Not that that will probably calm Sabalenka. And AA is anything but calm as he falls 15-40 down on serve \u2026 and Cobolli absolutely batters the life out of the ball to claim the first break point! From 3-1 down, Cobolli leads 4-3; what a 10-minute turnaround.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka said in her post-match media conference that she \u201cjust wants to quit tennis right now\u201d, before adding: \u201cHopefully in a few days I\u2019ll be back on track mentally.\u201d She looked absolutely shellshocked. And she\u2019s probably also seething if she\u2019s watching AA and Cobolli, now they\u2019ve got the luxury of playing under the roof. Cobolli holds and it\u2019s 3-3 in the second set, after AA took the first 6-4.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A few winters ago Cobolli went to Juan Carlos Ferrero\u2019s academy and studied Carlos Alcaraz, which helped to transform his game. He could do with some Alcaraz fireworks here, but it\u2019s actually AA who self-implodes, crashing his volley into the net. 30-40. And Cobolli breaks straight back!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n AA is now taking it to Cobolli, he has the greater power of the two and is able to combine that with more precision under the roof, and it\u2019s 15-40, two break points. Some big hitting from both players in a 13-shot exchange on the first BP \u2026 but it\u2019s AA who looks the more assured, and he converts at the first time of asking! He\u2019s extended his lead to a set and a break, 6-4 and 3-1 to the good.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A no-nonsense hold to 15 from Cobolli, surpassed by a hold to love from AA. The first of this quarter-final. With the roof closed, they\u2019ve both found their serving groove, and AA leads 6-4, 2-1.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.32 EDT<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n McEnroe is happy, and the players definitely will be too, because the roof is being closed between sets (something Sabalenka will sorely wish happened during her match). We can now focus on the tennis. And with AA and Cobolli now able to find their range much easier, an absorbing 20-shot rally ends in Cobolli\u2019s favour! Deuce. Cobolli then nails a backhand down the line – a shot he couldn\u2019t go for in the first set \u2013 and it\u2019s break point! But three points on the spin for the first-set victor extends AA\u2019s lead to 6-4, 1-0.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Auger-Aliassime wins the first set 6-4<\/p>\n Will Cobolli feel the scoreboard pressure, knowing he has to hold serve to stay in this opening set? A wayward forehand at 15-0 owes probably as much to the wind as it does nerves; it\u2019s really stirring up again. Cobolli decides to play it safe at 30-15 \u2013 you can\u2019t blame him for that given the conditions they\u2019re facing \u2013 but AA thumps away a winner. 30-all. And then deuce. There\u2019s so little between these two. But Cobolli clunks into the tramlines and AA has a set point! Cobolli, his purple shirt flapping in the wind, lands a big forehand \u2026 and AA can\u2019t get it back! Deuce. Advantage Cobolli. Deuce. Advantage AA. Set point No 2. Cobolli clobbers long and AA seizes a tight, edgy opening set!<\/p>\n Felix Auger Aliassime takes the opening set under the roof of Philippe-Chatrier. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.30 EDT<\/p>\n The nerves are probably jangling too \u2013 AA is bidding to reach his first grand slam semi-final on clay, Cobolli his first at any major \u2013 and AA is in a little bit of service trouble at 15-30. A snarling serve gives the Canadian the initiative in the next point, and he doesn\u2019t let up. 30-all. Cobolli then chops long \u2013 before making amends with a deep, dangerous forehand that AA can\u2019t get back. Deuce. Advantage Cobolli, courtesy of a double fault from AA. Cobolli can\u2019t convert the break point and AA accelerates through the next two points for another hold. It\u2019s 5-4 to AA.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.10 EDT<\/p>\n At 3-3 and 30-15, AA turns into a wall at the net, forcing the error from Cobolli. That\u2019s the best point of the game, and AA takes the next one too to hold. This quarter-final hasn\u2019t fully exploded into life yet \u2013 the conditions certainly aren\u2019t helping \u2013 I understand the organisers want to keep this as an outdoor tournament wherever possible, but closing the roof would undoubtedly raise the level of both players. As if to illustrate this, AA spoons a forehand WAY beyond the baseline with Cobolli leading 40-30, and Cobolli holds for 4-4.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Ninety minutes into her 14th consecutive grand slam quarter-final, it seemed like nothing could stop Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> from another straightforward day on-court. Even in gusty conditions and after a few nervous games while closing out the opening set, the world\u2019s best women\u2019s player seemed to be cruising as she established a 6-3, 4-1 lead.<\/p>\n Instead, that moment would mark the beginning of one of the most shocking collapses of Sabalenka\u2019s career. Arrested by tension and unable to play with any semblance of freedom, the top seed completely fell apart. She was overcome by a supreme fighting performance from the 25th seed Diana Shnaider, who recovered to produce the greatest win of her career by defeating Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.<\/p>\n Sabalenka was attempting to reach her 13th major semi-final in her last 14 appearances. She has been so consistent in the best events in the world and she has improved so much as a tennis player over the years. Yet the one consistent theme in her career has been how frequently she has been completely shackled by her tension and nerves in the most decisive moments. The nerves she displayed in last year\u2019s final to Coco Gauff, however, did not even come close to her collapse here. From 6-3, 4-1 up, a completely healthy Sabalenka lost 11 of the final 12 games of the match.<\/p>\n As shocking as Sabalenka\u2019s performance was in the second half of the match, Shnaider played her part to perfection and she never stopped believing. Once Sabalenka began to look vulnerable, she locked down her game, cutting out errors in the rallies and maintaining immaculate depth. When she had opportunities to unleash with her one big weapon, her wicked lefty forehand, she did not hesitate. As she fought her way back into the second set, she landed a number of brilliant down-the-line forehands, including on break point for 5-5.<\/p>\n The Russian\u2019s momentum did not stop at the beginning of the third set. Suddenly embroiled in a constant stream of long, physical rallies in such slow, windy conditions, Sabalenka simply could not find a way to regain control of the point. With her opponent completely frazzled, Shnaider refused to let Sabalenka back into the match. She gradually wrestled control of the baseline and struck her forehand spectacularly throughout the final set to secure the biggest win of her career.<\/p>\n You can read the rest of Tumaini\u2019s match report here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The 25-year-old AA began his career in the era of the Big Three \u2013 in fact he\u2019d beaten Federer, Nadal and Djokovic before turning 21 \u2013 though he was unable to convert the otherworldly talent he\u2019d shown as a youngster into major titles. Perhaps the expectation got to him; the injuries certainly did. But he\u2019s now in the rare position of knowing there are no slam champions left in the draw. He\u2019s very much aware, like every other man left, that this is a chance that may not come his way again. Cobolli holds to 30 before AA squeezes through from deuce. AA leads 3-2.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.46 EDT<\/p>\n A poor drop shot from AA allows Cobolli a chance at 15-30. But Cobolli is raging against the wind after conceding the next point for 30-all \u2013 both players would do well to accept the conditions they\u2019re facing, the extra energy spent fighting it won\u2019t do them any favours \u2013 before seeing a break point come and go at 30-40. Cobolli has an easy volley at deuce but flaps into the net. AA goes on to hold for 2-1 \u2013 the first hold of this quarter-final.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n John McEnroe believes that the roof should have been closed given the nightmarish conditions. It it remains open for the whole of this match, I\u2019d say that probably favours Cobolli, who is the slightly lower-ranked player but has the touch and dexterity of feet and hands to cope with the constant adjustments needed to play in this wind. For Cobolli this is a second grand slam quarter-final after his last-eight appearance at Wimbledon last year; for AA (as he shall be known from now on, to save my fingers), he\u2019s now reached the quarter-finals at all four majors. His best results have come on faster surfaces \u2013 both hard court and indoors \u2013 so the slower, heavier conditions today may give the edge to Cobolli, who then totally disproves my thoughts by dropping serve from deuce. They\u2019ve traded breaks and it\u2019s 1-1.<\/p>\n Photograph: Beno\u00eet Tessier\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.35 EDT<\/p>\n I wonder how unsettled both Auger-Aliassime (seeded No 4) and Cobolli (seeded No 10) are feeling having seen what happened to Sabalenka. Auger-Aliassime looks bewildered on the first point, perhaps more by the wind than the occasion, as he misjudges the overhead and Cobolli capitalises. 0-15. 0-30, when AA double faults. AA gets his side of the scoreboard moving for 15-30, but soon slides 15-40 down. The crowd, still stunned by Sabalenka\u2019s exit, barely react to the early break points, but AA does, calmly saving them both, the second with a serve-volley. But Cobolli comes straight back at the Canadian, and Italian breaks at the third opportunity. Cobolli leads 1-0.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I think everyone on Chatrier would quite like to have a lie down after that quarter-final, but the French Open<\/a> stops for no one, not even its patrons, and Felix Auger-Aliassime and Flavio Cobolli are already warming up in the dust bowl.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.10 EDT<\/p>\n The All England Club is confident that there will be no player protests at Wimbledon<\/a> following meetings at the French Open.<\/p>\n Individuals representing top tennis players, led by the former Women\u2019s Tennis<\/a> Association chief executive Larry Scott, met Wimbledon officials on Monday to discuss the state of the dispute, talks that both parties viewed as productive.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the All England Lawn Tennis<\/a> Club said: \u201cWe were pleased to have the opportunity to meet players\u2019 representative at Roland Garros. Our discussions about the arrangements for this year\u2019s Championships were positive. We look forward to continuing these discussions in further detail after the Championships.\u201d<\/p>\n The AELTC\u2019s prize-money announcement, which takes place next Thursday, will be another critical moment in this dispute and there is significant anticipation over the rise. The player representatives informed the AELTC during the meeting that they expect a significant increase to their prize-money purse. The AELTC generally holds off on finalising its prize-money pool until relatively close to the announcement, allowing the club greater flexibility regarding its financial contributions.<\/p>\n The buildup to the French Open<\/a> was dominated by the growing discontent from the top men\u2019s and women\u2019s players regarding the response from grand slam tournaments to their criticisms. They were particularly frustrated by the French Tennis Federation\u2019s prize-money announcement, which they deemed insufficient, prompting them to take more forceful action. The FFT offered a total purse of \u00a352.6m for this year, a 9.5% rise from last year. It is less than the \u00a353.5m offered by Wimbledon last year, which the players expect to increase significantly this year.<\/p>\n After the world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> predicted at the Italian Open last month that the players would eventually have to boycott grand slam tournaments to achieve their goals, top players including the world No 1s Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner chose to initiate a media boycott during their pre-tournament media availability.<\/p>\n You can read the rest of Tumaini\u2019s story here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This is surely Mirra Andreeva\u2019s title to lose from here on in. But then we said the same about Sabalenka, whose bid to go one better than last year\u2019s runner-up finish was extinguished in 10 consecutive games against her amid a final-set shellacking. Chatrier was transformed from last week\u2019s sauna into a wind tunnel today and Sabalenka just couldn\u2019t deal with it. Despite her four grand slams, the world No 1\u2019s search for a major title away from hard courts goes on. A first-time slam champion is now guaranteed, with Andreeva playing Marta Kostyuk in the other semi-final. \u201cHello Katy, I think we are now officially allowed to call this the Upset Open,\u201d emails Krishna Moorthy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.02 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m speechless,\u201d says Shnaider, who\u2019s through to her first grand slam semi-final. \u201cI\u2019m super happy, obviously very tough conditions with the wind, first time playing Aryna, I was very nervous. First set I was trying to adjust to her game and the conditions. In the third set I finally found my rhythm; I should have been aiming for that for the beginning!\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019s then asked about facing the qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the most unlikely of semi-finals. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a lefty battle,\u201d she replies. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d The Russian\u2019s beaming, as she should be; this is the day of her life \u2013 and it could get even better tomorrow. She goes into the semi in the strange position of being the favourite.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Shnaider stuns Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0!<\/p>\n So Sabalenka, having led by a set and 4-1 and also served for the quarter-final in the second set, is now serving to stay in it. Not a sentence I thought I\u2019d be typing when I left for my lunch just over an hour ago. Sabalenka is rooted to the clay as Shnaider seizes the first point; Sabalenka can\u2019t even move her feet. She\u2019s screaming to the glowering skies as Shnaider surges to 0-30 and 0-40 \u2013 three match points! \u2013 but suddenly Sabalenka remembers she\u2019s the world No 1, and batters her way through the first two MPs. But Sabalenka smacks into the net on the third! And then there were none; the last grand slam champion in the women\u2019s and men\u2019s draws has fallen and this tournament has hit new levels of chaos!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.58 EDT<\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 7-5, 5-0 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Thanks Tom! Wow. Sabalenka let her emotions get the better of her in several crucial moments last year, against Madison Keys in the Australian Open final, Coco Gauff in the French Open<\/a> final and Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon semi-finals, and she\u2019s doing the same here. But perhaps to put it that simplistically is also doing a disservice to Shnaider: the Russian has worked her way into this match and is now playing the tennis of her life, as another left-handed forehand winner down the line gets her to 15-all. And another forehand winner makes it 30-15. That\u2019s been her money shot today. Shnaider won the third set 6-0 against Keys in the previous round, and she\u2019s on course to obliterate Sabalenka too, as she holds to 30.<\/p>\n Diana Shnaider celebrates an amazing victory over Aryna Sabalenka. Photograph: Beno\u00eet Tessier\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.53 EDT<\/p>\n Shnaider* 3-6, 7-5, 4-0 Sabalenka (* Denotes next server) The blunders continue, a lazy volley into the net from Sabalenka starting her service game. A thumping winner at the net might make the world No 1 feel better about herself, but Shnaider goes one better with a fierce forehand winner down the line, her fave shot. Before you know it, she has two more break points. They\u2019re converted straight away with yet another clumsy overhit forehand. She\u2019s staring down the barrel now.<\/p>\n And with that I\u2019ll hand you back to Katy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 7-5, 3-0 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server) Shnaider eases into a 40-0 lead within a couple of minutes, and a longer rally can\u2019t extend the game much further. Shnaider holds to love, and Sabalenka is struggling to get out of this rut and find her level.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider* 3-6, 7-5, 2-0 Sabalenka (* Denotes next server) A rollercoaster of a game, and a long\u2019un. Shnaider is reaching shots that she wouldn\u2019t have made earlier in the match, as she demonstrates in an absorbing rally that Sabalenka nonetheless just squeaks for 30-0. Shnaider pulls it back to 30-15, and then to 40-30 with another bloot into the net by the No 1 seed. A fabulous forehand winner down the line from Shnaider takes us to deuce before \u2013 ANOTHER break point, a neat forehand chip on the line. But Sabalenka controls the next point to save the break yet the pain keeps coming. for the Belarussian as Shnaider sends a beautiful crosscourt backhand past her. This break point is saved in a rare genuinely high-class rally from Sabalenka before an increasingly rare overhit from Shnaider but more brainfade from the favourite pegs her back to deuce. Almost in anger, Sabalenka claims the next point with a venomous forehand winner to the corner. The winner-error-winner-error sequence continues though and we\u2019re back at deuce point. Shnaider\u2019s third break point of the game is secured when Sabalenka\u2019s overhead volley is out but AGAIN she can\u2019t convert. Still, the top seed gives her another chance with a netted backhand. AND THIS TIME SHE DOES. And it\u2019s a cracker, a punched forehand to the corner.<\/p>\n Shnaider has won nine of the past 10 games and the No 1 seed is in real trouble.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server) Sabalenka is still prone to overhitting, one such mistake handing Shnaider a 40-15 lead on serve, setting up a comfortable hold. It may not last but Shnaider is handling this better in every way at the moment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Shnaider wins the second set 7-5!<\/p>\n Shnaider* 3-6, 7-5 Sabalenka (* Denotes next server) From 1-4 down in the second set, Shnaider is level! Another classy shot from the back of the court gets Shnaider to 15-15 on Sabalenka\u2019s serve, and things are going the Russian\u2019s way as a reaction-lob drifts over Sabalenka\u2019s head and \u2013 wind-assisted \u2013 lands inside the line. And suddenly, it\u2019s ANOTHER break point \u2013 a set point no less \u2013 AND SHE TAKES IT. This has been an astonishing recovery from nowhere, Shnaider growing in confidence and authority as Sabalenka\u2019s errors piled up. Her aggressive style isn\u2019t working at the moment. On we go.<\/p>\n Diana Shnaider celebrates winning the second set. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.16 EDT<\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 6-5 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server) Shnaider\u2019s enjoying herself now, and a lovely angled forehand down the line is as good a shot as she\u2019s played. It takes her to 30-15, which soon becomes 40-15, and it\u2019s another easy hold. Five-all, and where are we heading now?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 5-5 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server) Serving for the match, Sabalenka pulverises a forehand down the line for 15-0, but variable bounce contributes to her just losing control of a backhand next point and sending it out. An overhit forehand from Shnaider gives her opponent a 30-15 advantage but it\u2019s pegged back to 30-30 when a gripping rally ends with an erratic Sabalenka volley out. And now \u2026 another break point for Shnaider when Sabalenka nets \u2013 and this time she takes it. With a beautiful wide forehand into the corner. Game on!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 4-5 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server) The ball is bouncing 10% lower this week than it did last, which might explain a few things. Anyway, Shnaider races to 30-0 before feebly finding the net from the baseline, then atoning with a fierce ace. It characterises a swift, easy hold.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider* 3-6, 3-5 Sabalenka (* Denotes next server) Chance squandered for Shnaider: a couple of gasps as Sabalenka overhits an attempted winner horribly to go 0-30 on her serve and then Shnaider earns herself three break points in an elegant brute of a rally. Sabalenka saves the first with a dismissive volley at the net. The second is saved when Sabalenka points her opponent all round the court after a forceful second serve before the third is squandered with a slightly overhit service return from Shnaider, inside the line. But Shnaider gets another opening when Sabalenka nets weakly; break point No 4 is saved too with a strong serve, followed by the Belarusian appearing to have angry words with her box\/herself. Whatever, it works, and a fine crosscourt winner ensues, which sets up a decisive hold, and a hard earned one.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.54 EDT<\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 3-4 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server) Shnaider is swiftly 0-30 down yet recovers to 30-30 with some smart net play, but leaves herself open for a Sabalenka passing shot next point to yield a break point. Shnaider saves it and goes on to take the game. She\u2019s still in this. What was that I said about this being over in a jiffy?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider* 3-6, 2-4 Sabalenka (* Denotes next server) A break back from nowhere. A beautiful drop volley at the net gets Sabalenka\u2019s service game under way, and her serve-volley game continues to deliver for 30-0. But Shnaider then rallies to 30-all, and whaddya know, she earns a break point when Sabalenka sends a careless attempted drop shot wide. The sloppiness continues when a double fault grants Shnaider a break back.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 1-4 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server) This could be it now as the Belarusian breaks again. Shnaider goes double-handed, to little effect, plonking a weak attempted drop shot from behind the line into the net to go 0-30 down on serve. Sabalenka\u2019s searing service return is too strong next point, to set up three break points \u2013 Sabalenka buries the first with a wrongfooting forehand to go 4-1 up. We will not, I suspect, be detained much longer now.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.54 EDT<\/p>\n Shnaider* 3-6, 1-3 Sabalenka (* Denotes next server) Sabalenka is still making the odd uncharacteristic error, an overhit volley at the net for 15-15 being a prime example, but she powers her way to 40-15, and an untreatable serve down the middle seals the game. She\u2019s ultimately still too strong.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 1-2 Sabalenka* (* Denotes next server). A gem of a whipped crosscourt forehand gets Sabalenka away before Shnaider profits from a wayward attempted winner to go 30-15 up, and the Russian proceeds to hold serve comfortably. It\u2019s no classic but nor does playing in this wind look much fun.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider * 3-6, 0-2 Sabalenka (* Denotes next server). Errors are creeping back into the left-handed Shnaider\u2019s game and in the blink of an eye Sabalenka is 40-0 up on her serve before skewing a backhand wide. An absolute slugfest of a rally ensues but it\u2019s when Sabalenka attempts a spot of subtlety, she sends her dropshot into the net for 40-30 but an unanswerable backhand down the line from the favourite seals the game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Shnaider 3-6, 0-1 Sabalenka* Thanks Katy. The wind continues to ask questions of both players, and after clawing back to deuce, Sabalenka breaks in the opening game of the second set.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n With that, I\u2019m going to grab some lunch. Tom Davies is here to guide you through the second set \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Sabalenka wins the first set 6-3<\/p>\n \u201cStep back and rip the return,\u201d is the advice to Shnaider from her coach Sascha Bajin, who was Serena Williams\u2019s long-time hitting partner and also coached Osaka to two slam titles. It does the trick as Shnaider skips to 15-30, but she then undoes her good work by missing a routine rally ball. 30-all. Now it\u2019s Sabalenka\u2019s turn to err, as she bashes a backhand into the net to offer up a break point. She slams a ball into the clay in frustration, and she\u2019s let off the hook when Shnaider\u2019s forehand whistles wide. Deuce, advantage Sabalenka, game and set Sabalenka, as she finally gets the better of the wind \u2013 and Shnaider \u2013 with a winner that lands on the line. Highway to Hell is played at the changeover. Which just about sums up the conditions facing both players in this quarter-final.<\/p>\n Aryna Sabalenka takes the opening set. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.10 EDT<\/p>\n The wind is still swirling as Shnaider steps up to serve, and it\u2019s clearly affecting both players. Sabalenka, having appeared so locked in, is starting to look a little bothered, and she\u2019s not allowing herself enough margin for error in these conditions, which are getting worse. An exasperated scream follows her errant backhand on game point. Shnaider holds to 30 and from 5-1 and it\u2019s 5-3.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.26 EDT<\/p>\n Baseline winners, drop shots, volleys \u2026 Sabalenka is doing it all right now, and a trip to the net helps her dismiss the danger at 15-30. She\u2019s made to wait to serve at 30-all because the wind is kicking the clay up into her face, but she regroups well to bring up set point at 40-30. But an untimely double fault \u2013 largely because of the wind, to be fair \u2013 blows Sabalenka off course and it\u2019s deuce. A break point follows for Shnaider, and then a second set point for Sabalenka, and a second break point for Shnaider \u2026 and the Russian secures her first break! At 5-2 though, Sabalenka won\u2019t be pushing the panic button yet.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka is now crunching winners off Shnaider\u2019s first serve. Ooof. It gets her to 15-40. And then Sabalenka shows she\u2019s not all about the power, displaying some lovely finesse, to break once more. She\u2019s added such impressive variation to her game and is now in full flow, leading 5-1.<\/p>\n![\"Tumaini](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tumaini_Carayol_v2.png\")
Tumaini Carayol<\/p>\nTumaini Carayol<\/p>\n
* Denotes next server<\/p>\n