World number two Rybakina out in biggest French Open upset so far

Rybakina out in biggest French Open upset so far Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elena Rybakina is a two-time quarter-finalist at the French OpenByEmily SalleyBBC Sport journalistPublished27 May 2026, 17:11 BSTUpdated 26 minutes agoWorld number two Elena Rybakina suffered a surprise second-round defeat by 55th-ranked Yuliia Starodubtseva in the biggest French Open upset so far.Despite winning the opening set, Rybakina looked far from her clinical best as Starodubtseva mounted an impressive comeback to win 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-4).Known for her big serve and precise hitting, reigning Australian Open champion Rybakina committed 71 unforced errors and landed just 53% of her first serves.It is the first time Kazakhstan’s Rybakina has failed to reach the third round at the Paris major since 2020, while it is her earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2024 Australian Open.Rybakina’s early exit also means Aryna Sabalenka will keep her world number one ranking regardless of her result at Roland Garros.The 26-year-old needed to be reach the semi-finals to be in with a chance of ending Sabalenka’s near-two-year reign at the top of rankings.Heated exchange and no handshake in French Open row