Maja Chwalinska Makes History, Reaches Roland Garros Final Against Andreeva
Al Jazeera
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska defeated Diana Shnaider to become the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam women's singles final. She will face Mirra Andreeva in the Roland Garros final on Saturday.
Poland's Maja Chwalinska became the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam women's singles final, after defeating Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the Roland Garros semifinals on Thursday.
The 24-year-old has a chance to match Emma Raducanu's 2021 US Open title, as she faces Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in Saturday's final. According to statistics firm Opta, Chwalinska and Raducanu are the only players (male or female) to reach a Grand Slam singles final from qualifying since the Open Era began in 1968. Chwalinska is notably the first to achieve this at Roland Garros in the professional era.
Chwalinska sealed victory on her first match point with a powerful forehand down the line, then fell backward with both hands covering her face. She sat down on her chair, gasping and burying her face in a towel. "Like a dream, honestly, I don't know what's happening. I don't know what to say, sorry," she said during her on-court interview. "Let me enjoy the moment right now."
Chwalinska's journey included three qualifying rounds to reach the main draw, which is only her third Grand Slam. Her previous best result was the second round at Wimbledon in 2022. Fellow Pole Iga Swiatek has won Roland Garros four times.
Andreeva, 19, reached her first Grand Slam final after beating Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 earlier Thursday on Philippe-Chatrier court. Andreeva had reached the semifinals of this tournament two years ago, but this was Chwalinska's first semifinal at the WTA tour level.
From qualifying, Chwalinska has dropped just one set in nine matches and has overcome four top-50 players in the main draw. According to the WTA, her ranking will rise from 114th to 14th if she wins. Her total prize money before Roland Garros was $864,030, but reaching the final nets her €1.4 million (approximately $1.6 million); she would earn €2.8 million ($3.25 million) if she wins on Saturday.
A delicate drop shot and lob earned Chwalinska the set point in the tie-break, and she closed the first set when Shnaider's forehand went wide. Shnaider called for a medical timeout after the seventh game of the second set. She stretched her left leg while lying on her back, and dropped her serve in the ninth game, setting up Chwalinska to serve for the match.
"All credit to Maja. She played amazing," Shnaider said. "She moves incredibly well on court, covers so much ground. Even when you think you've won the point, she's still there."
