'Shocking': Tennis world in disbelief over French Open chaos
The tennis world has been left stunned as World No.1 Iga Swiatek remains the only Top 10 seed to remain in the French Open after a number of upsets in the Third Round.
Swiatek produced a masterclass to continue her WTA dominance as she surged into the Fourth Round of Roland Garros.
'AN INSULT': Wimbledon's huge move after Ash Barty 'disgrace'
'WHAT A DISGRACE': French Open shocked by 'disgusting' incident
However, it was the upsets of Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka that raised eyebrows.
Spanish third seed Badosa retired at 6-3, 2-1 against Veronika Kudermetova while Sabalenka, seeded seventh, lost 12 of the last 13 games - including eight in a row - against Italy's Camila Giorgi.
Sabalenka, a former world No.2, won a hard-fought opening set but then was reduced to a mere spectator as Giorgi scorched the court with winners.
The Belarusian managed to win only one more game as Giorgi completed a remarkable comeback win in an hour and 42 minutes.
Badosa was forced to retire with a right calf injury.
She required medical attention during her match and then decided early in the second set that she could no longer continue.
Tennis fans around the world reacted with shock after Swiatek remained the only favourite to enter the second week of the French Open.
With Sabalenka and Badosa's exits today, this will be the first time in the Open Era there is just one top-10 seed in the fourth round of the women's singles draw at #rolandgarros and it's just the second time it's happened at any major (2018 Wimbledon).
— D'Arcy Maine (@darcymaine_espn) May 28, 2022
Sabalenka and Badosa are both going to lose leaving Swiatek the only top 10 players left 🤯🤣
— WTA UK (@wta_uk) May 28, 2022
The top half of the women's draw is officially falling apart.
Paula Badosa is a break down and receiving treatment while Aryna Sabalenka has lost 10 of the last 11 games having been a set up.
Iga Swiatek's draw just keeps getting easier...#RolandGarros— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) May 28, 2022
Shocking. Only Swiatek will stay from the top 10 in the tournament. Sabalenka and Badosa out. Jesus Christ #RolandGarros
— KeyserSöze (@SoozeKeyser) May 28, 2022
The question was always going to be: Who stops Iga Swiatek?
Now, even more so, it's hard to say who can.
After Badosa retires and Sabalenka loses, world number one Swiatek is the only top-10 seed left.#RolandGarros— Jonathan Jurejko (@J_Jurejko) May 28, 2022
Badosa retires and Sabalenka out on the same day. Its so bad 😣
Swiatek the only top 10 seed through to the 4th round https://t.co/vT3VhCUI1I— AK (@alyaasyafiyah) May 28, 2022
While top seeds are falling, Swiatek has remained steadfast in her quest for a second French Open title.
World No.1 Iga Swiatek marches on at French Open
It has been over 100 days - and 31 matches - since Swiatek last lost.
"Thinking about all these stats, it's not really helpful. So basically I try to be really strict in terms of my thoughts and try to really focus on ... finding solutions," said 20-year-old Swiatek.
Her next opponent is Zheng Qinwen, a 19-year-old from China who is ranked 74th and in her second grand slam tournament.
The next highest-ranked opponent remaining in the draw is American Jessica Pegula, the 11th seed, who powered into the last 16 for the first time with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) win over last year's semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek.
Swiatek and Pegula are on course for a quarter-final clash.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
