Paris, France – Web Desk: Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska produced a stunning breakthrough run at the French Open, defeating Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach her first-ever Grand Slam final.
The 24-year-old became the first qualifier in the professional era to reach the women’s final in Paris, continuing a remarkable underdog campaign that has captured global attention.
Chwalinska will now face 19-year-old Russian star Mirra Andreeva, who secured her place in the final with a straight-sets victory over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, 6-1, 6-3.
Speaking after her victory, Chwalinska described the moment as “a dream,” admitting the physical and mental demands of playing back-to-back high-intensity matches at Roland Garros. Despite fatigue, she said she is embracing the challenge of competing at the highest level.
Her composure proved decisive in a tight opening set, where she held firm under pressure before clinching a tiebreak. She then maintained control in the second set, sealing victory with a forehand winner on match point.
Saturday’s final guarantees a new Grand Slam champion, with Chwalinska becoming only the second qualifier in the professional era to reach a major final, following Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open triumph.
