French Open shock as Rybakina crashes out early

Chalien Dantes / Contributor

Elena Rybakina became the biggest upset story of the French Open so far after suffering a stunning second-round defeat to Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.

The world number two looked in control after taking the opening set, but the match quickly shifted as Starodubtseva fought back with confidence and energy to claim a dramatic 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 victory.

Rybakina struggled badly with consistency throughout the contest, committing 71 unforced errors while landing just over half of her first serves. Known for her powerful serving and sharp shot-making, the Australian Open champion appeared unusually out of rhythm as the pressure built late in the match.

For Starodubtseva, ranked 55th in the world, the win stands as one of the biggest moments of her career and instantly shakes up the women’s draw at Roland Garros.

The defeat also carries major ranking consequences. Rybakina needed a deep tournament run to challenge Aryna Sabalenka for the world number one spot, but her early exit now guarantees Sabalenka will remain at the top of the rankings regardless of how the rest of the tournament unfolds.

It is also the first time since 2020 that Rybakina has failed to reach the third round at the French Open, adding another layer of disappointment to an already painful exit in Paris.