Wind and Shnaider sweep aside Sabalenka in quarters

The Russian faces Poland’s qualifier Chwalinska in a battle of left-handers at the

- Shahid Judge

In the 135 years of the French Open’s existence, a great generalisation has emerged regarding which players the crowds tend to cheer for.

Either French or the underdog. By Wednesday, there was no French player left in the women’s singles draw. But the two underdogs that played in each of the two quarter-finals on Court Philippe-Chatrier certainly gave the Parisian fans a lot to cheer about.

The day's schedule began with Poland's 24-year-old Maja Chwalinska, who came into the tournament as a qualifier ranked 114 in the world, beating 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya of Russia 7-6(3), 6-3.

It was followed by the biggest upset in the women's field as 25th seed Diana Shnaider came from behind to beat world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0. It was a win that ensured there will be a first-time Grand Slam champion in both the men’s and women’s singles events for the first time at the same Major since the 2021 US Open, and the second time since the 2004 French Open.