Qualifier Maja Chwalinska reaches historic French Open final vs Andreeva

Maja Chwalinska became just the second qualifier of the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles final, defeating Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6-4 on Thursday at Roland Garros. The 24-year-old from Poland will face 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva in Saturday’s championship match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Statistics indicate Chwalinska is the first qualifier to make the French Open final in the professional era, a milestone that places her alongside Emma Raducanu, who won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier.

Chwalinska edged a tight first set in a tiebreak and closed out the match in two sets, sealing victory on her first match point with a forehand winner down the line. Shnaider took a medical timeout after the seventh game of the second set and was broken in the ninth, allowing Chwalinska to serve for the match. The Pole has now won nine matches in Paris, including three in qualifying, and has dropped only one set across those contests.

Historic path from qualifying to final

Chwalinska advanced through three qualifying rounds to enter just the third Grand Slam main draw of her career. Her previous best result at a major was the second round at Wimbledon in 2022. This fortnight she has defeated four top-50 opponents in the main draw and sustained her level through pressure moments, including a composed tiebreak to take the opener against Shnaider.

“Like a dream, honestly, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what to say, sorry,” Chwalinska said in her on-court interview. “Let me enjoy this moment for now.” Shnaider praised her opponent’s court coverage and resilience, saying Chwalinska “moves incredible on the court” and is “there” even when it appears the point is lost.

Andreeva awaits after statement win

Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam final earlier on Thursday by defeating Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3. The Russian teenager had previously made the semifinals in Paris two years ago and arrives in the final having spent relatively little time on court in her last match. Saturday will mark a maiden major final for both players, setting up a contrast between a qualifier’s sustained run and a rising prospect’s surge.

Polish tennis has enjoyed recent success at Roland Garros, highlighted by Iga Swiatek’s four titles. Chwalinska’s breakthrough adds a new chapter, with Poland now guaranteed a finalist for the first time outside the nation’s reigning champion since the Open Era milestone was set.

Prize money and ranking stakes

By reaching the final, Chwalinska is guaranteed prize money of 1.4 million euros (about $1.6 million). The champion will receive 2.8 million euros (approximately $3.25 million). Before this tournament, her career prize money totaled $864,030. A title on Saturday would also propel her ranking from No. 114 to No. 14, according to the WTA.

Chwalinska will now attempt to emulate Raducanu’s unprecedented title run as a qualifier at a major. All eyes turn to Saturday’s final to see whether her momentum can carry through one more match against Andreeva.