Aryna Sabalenka is set to take on Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, as the world number one eyes a seventh consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearance. The Belarusian star, who finished runner-up at Roland Garros last year, sees this as a golden opportunity to claim her maiden title on the Parisian clay.
Sabalenka's Focus on the Prize
Sabalenka, one of only two top-10 seeds remaining in the women's tournament, defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the last 16. Reflecting on her form, she said, "I think because I'm not really focusing on that and I'm not really overthinking, I was able to kind of separate myself from what's going on this year at Roland Garros. I'm bringing my best level that I have, and I'm there, I'm fighting, and you know, I'm doing everything I can to get this trophy."
The 28-year-old faces Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider, a 22-year-old known for her tricky game. "She's a great player. I'd say tricky game, changing the rhythm a lot, and moving well, great serving. So I'm super excited to face her for the first time," Sabalenka added.
Kalinskaya and Chwalinska in Women's Draw
In the other women's quarter-final, 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya meets Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska. Kalinskaya, who reached the last eight at the Australian Open two years ago, is the heavy favourite. However, Chwalinska, ranked 114th, has defied expectations, defeating Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen, 23rd seed Elise Mertens, and former world number three Maria Sakkari. "For me, it's, like, whoever I'm playing, I'm lower in the rankings, so it doesn't matter for me if (the draw is) open or not," Chwalinska said. "Everyone here is higher in the ranking than me. So they are the favourites to win. I'm like an underdog. No one really knows me."
Men's Draw Wide Open
The men's tournament at Roland Garros has been thrown wide open following the early exits of top seeds Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. Fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime is the highest-ranked player left in the top half, but he has never progressed beyond the last 16 at the French Open. "There was that big day or two days in a row, it was like Sinner lost, Djokovic lost, it was a lot of noise," Auger-Aliassime said. "But that was last week. Then, as the days went by, you kind of get used to it. Of course not having Sinner, for example, in semi-finals is another opportunity, but you need to be there. So I have to focus on the next match and then try to be in the semi-finals."
The Canadian faces 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals, with the winner to face either 105th-ranked Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi. Arnaldi, ranked 104th, has spent a record 17 hours and 42 minutes on court en route to the last eight. "It's so special, I mean, for everyone. For Flavio, for Matteo, for me. I feel like we all have different stories, but we're all so happy to be here, so happy to play quarters in a Slam," Arnaldi said. "Definitely it's going to be a tough one for us, because it's a derby."
