Lagatar24 Desk
Paris: Poland’s Maja Chwalinska has scripted history at Roland Garros 2026 by becoming the first qualifier ever to reach the women’s singles final at the French Open, defeating Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-4 in the semifinals played at Court Philippe-Chatrier on Friday.
Ranked 114th Before the Tournament
Chwalinska entered the tournament ranked 114th in the world and had not won a single match against top-50 players prior to arriving at Roland Garros. She has now strung together nine consecutive victories, dropping only one set across 18 matches in the tournament, including four consecutive wins against top opposition on her way to the final.
Only Second Qualifier to Reach a Grand Slam Final in Open Era
The achievement makes Chwalinska only the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam final, after Britain’s Emma Raducanu accomplished the same feat at the 2021 US Open — where she went on to win the title. Chwalinska also becomes only the third woman to reach the Roland Garros final in her very first main draw appearance, following Yvonne Goolagong in 1971 and Chris Evert in 1973.
Dominant Performance in Semifinals
The semifinal lasted two hours and 10 minutes, with Chwalinska impressing with her use of spin, pace variation, and shot direction to keep Shnaider under constant pressure. Her excellent fitness, sharp movement, and solid defensive play were key factors in sealing the win.
Final Against Mira Andreeva
Chwalinska will face eighth seed Mira Andreeva in the final, with the two players meeting for the first time. The maiden encounter between the two is expected to be a thrilling contest.
