Day 11 at Roland-Garros reshuffled the hierarchy and crowned new heroes. Four quarter-finals, both sides of the draw, and one undeniable conclusion: this 2026 tournament belongs to those who dare.
On the women's side, Diana Shnaider authored the most dramatic turnaround of the fortnight by eliminating world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0. Trailing by a set and a double break, the 22-year-old Russian won the final ten games. A total collapse from Sabalenka, who committed 57 unforced errors. In the other quarter-final, Maja Chwalińska extended her extraordinary run by defeating Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3. The world No.114 qualifier becomes only the sixth qualifier in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final.
The men's draw witnessed a historic moment for Italian tennis. Flavio Cobolli dismissed Félix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final. The 24-year-old Roman, who trained at the AS Roma academy before choosing tennis, showed remarkable resilience after dropping the opening set. In the night session, Matteo Arnaldi advanced when compatriot Matteo Berrettini retired at 7-5, 5-2 with a left hip injury. Italy is guaranteed a finalist, a first for Italian men's tennis at Roland-Garros.
Completing the semi-final picture, Jakub Menšík defeated João Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 in Tuesday's night session. The 20-year-old Czech, the first player born in 2004 or later to reach a Grand Slam semi-final, will face on Friday.
The semi-final schedule promises exceptional tennis. Thursday: Kostyuk versus Andreeva, then Shnaider versus Chwalińska on the women's side. Friday: Zverev versus Menšík, then Cobolli versus Arnaldi on the men's side. The next generation has seized control.
