Maja Chwalinska has written her name into the history books at Roland Garros, becoming the first female qualifier ever to reach the final of the French Open. The 24-year-old Pole, who entered the tournament ranked 135th in the world, continued her extraordinary run with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over world No. 3 Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Chwalinska, who hails from Warsaw, had to win three matches in qualifying just to earn her place in the main draw. She has since dispatched three seeded opponents, including Rybakina, and has not dropped a set in her past four matches. Her aggressive baseline game and remarkable composure have drawn comparisons to compatriot Iga Swiatek, whom she will now face in Saturday's final.
'I don't think I have fully processed what is happening,' Chwalinska said after the match. 'I came here just hoping to win a few rounds, and now I am in the final. It is a dream come true.' The Polish Tennis Association confirmed she is the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final since Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open.
The final promises to be a historic occasion, with two Polish women contesting a Grand Slam title for the first time. Swiatek, the world No. 1 and three-time French Open champion, is the overwhelming favourite, but Chwalinska's fearless form has made her a dangerous underdog. 'Maja has played incredible tennis all week,' Swiatek said. 'It will be special to share the court with her.'
Chwalinska's run has already guaranteed her a significant rise in the rankings, moving her into the world's top 50. She is also set to earn at least £500,000 in prize money from the tournament. For British fans, her story echoes that of Emma Raducanu, showing that qualifying runs can produce stunning Grand Slam success.