Roland Garros witnessed one of the most remarkable underdog stories in modern Grand Slam tennis on Thursday, when Poland’s unseeded world number 114 Maja Chwalinska outlasted Russia’s 25th seed Diana Shnaider in straight sets to etch her name into French Open history books. The 24-year-old secured a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 victory to become the first qualifier in the Open (professional) era to advance all the way to the women’s singles final at Roland Garros.
This historic run is far more than a one-tournament upset: Chwalinska is competing in just her third main draw appearance at any major tournament, and her first ever main draw start in Paris. She also joins an elite club, becoming only the second woman to navigate qualifying and reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open era, following Emma Raducanu’s legendary title-winning run at the 2021 US Open. Having failed to qualify for Roland Garros on three previous attempts, Chwalinska has now won nine consecutive matches across three weeks of qualifying and main draw play, putting her one win away from the sport’s most prestigious clay-court title.
The match itself pitted Chwalinska’s versatile, crafty all-court game against Shnaider’s signature power hitting. The Pole claimed an early break to go up 3-1, capitalizing on deft touch: a well-placed drop shot followed by a cleverly disguised deep backhand slice created three break opportunities, which she converted when Shnaider sent a forehand wide. Shnaider responded quickly, breaking right back to level the set, even earning an impressed thumbs-up from Chwalinska after a perfectly weighted drop shot of her own.
In the opening-set tiebreak, a wild off-target forehand from Chwalinska put Shnaider ahead 4-1, but the patient Pole flipped the script, winning six of the next seven points to close out the first set. To open the second set, the two players traded breaks of serve under partially cloudy skies that left the centre court roof partially open. When Shnaider held a 4-3 lead, she called a medical timeout to receive treatment for back tightness. Chwalinska adjusted her game plan after the break, extending rallies to tire her opponent, and broke Shnaider in the very next service game to move within one game of the upset. She sealed her historic spot in the final with a clean forehand winner.
Minutes after the match concluded, Chwalinska told reporters on Court Philippe Chatrier that her breakthrough run feels nothing short of miraculous. “It’s like a dream,” she said. “I don’t know what’s going on, I just… I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry, I’m just very happy.” The statement drew raucous applause from the packed centre court crowd. When asked about the ice-cold composure she has displayed throughout her underdog run, Chwalinska admitted her outward calm hides a flurry of emotion. “I’m crazy sometimes also, yeah,” she said. “But I try to stay composed because I know it’s the best way for me… But inside there’s a storm believe me.”
Chwalinska will next face Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in Saturday’s championship match, for what will be her 10th and final match of the tournament. When asked about her preparations for the title decider, Chwalinska said she plans to savor the moment before turning her focus to recovery. “I will give my all, it’s a Grand Slam final,” she said. “Let me enjoy this moment for now… I just want to breathe a little, enjoy it today then just recover as best I can.”