Unseeded Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska has continued her extraordinary run at Roland Garros, defeating Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4) 6-4 in the semi-final to reach the French Open final. The victory marked her ninth consecutive win at the tournament, having come through three qualifying rounds before dismantling a series of higher-ranked opponents in the main draw.
Chwalinska, ranked 152nd in the world at the start of the tournament, displayed remarkable composure on Court Philippe-Chatrier. After a tight first set that went to a tie-break, she edged ahead 7-4 before breaking Shnaider early in the second. The 22-year-old saved two break points at 4-4 before serving out the match with a confident hold to love.
'It feels surreal. I came here just hoping to win a few matches, and now I'm in the final,' Chwalinska said after the match. 'I have no words. The crowd has been incredible, and I've just tried to enjoy every point.' Shnaider, the 22nd seed from Russia, struggled with her first-serve percentage throughout, landing only 54 per cent, which allowed Chwalinska to dictate rallies from the baseline.
Chwalinska's achievement places her among an elite group of qualifiers to reach a Grand Slam final. The last qualifier to make the French Open women's final was Markéta Vondroušová in 2019, who went on to win the title. The Pole has now beaten four seeded players en route to the final, including former champion Iga Świątek in the quarter-finals, in what many are calling the upset of the tournament.
With the final scheduled for Saturday, Chwalinska will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Coco Gauff in the other semi-final. Sabalenka has dropped only one set all tournament, but Chwalinska's confidence and momentum make her a dangerous underdog. 'I have nothing to lose,' she added. 'I'll go out there and fight for every point.'