Maja Chwalinska Reaches French Open Final, Shocking Diana Shnaider in Semis
Maja Chwalinska made history by becoming the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Emma Raducanu's US Open victory in 2021. The world No. 114 stunned Diana Shnaider, the 25th seed, in the semi-finals of the French Open, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Chwalinska's journey to the final is remarkable, as she had only previously qualified for a Grand Slam main draw twice, with a single win at Wimbledon in 2022. In the final, she will face Mirra Andreeva, the 19-year-old eighth seed, who defeated Marta Kostyuk in the other semi-final with a score of 6-1, 6-3. Shnaider had enjoyed a high after eliminating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka but struggled against Chwalinska. In the first set, Chwalinska showcased her skills, breaking Shnaider early and eventually winning a tense tie-break. The second set saw Chwalinska secure a crucial break in the ninth game, serving out the match with a powerful forehand winner. In her post-match interview, Chwalinska expressed her disbelief, saying, "Like a dream... I'm not feeling great [physically], but it's a Grand Slam and you have to give it your all." Andreeva, also competing in her first Grand Slam final, overcame a challenging match against Kostyuk. Despite nerves, she maintained focus, stating, "I just told myself no matter what happens, I am going to fight and give my best." The semi-final atmosphere was tense, with players having separate photo sessions, reflecting the ongoing impact of the conflict in Ukraine. Kostyuk, despite her efforts, could not secure a win, as Andreeva dominated the match, finishing in just 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-06-04