Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska extended her surprising run with a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Diana Shnaider on Thursday, June 4, 2026, advancing to her first Grand Slam final at the French Open. She will face Russian Mirra Andreeva for the title.
After Andreeva, aged 19, completed a 6-1 6-3 semifinal win against Marta Kostyuk, Chwalinska, 24, followed with a strong performance. She became the first qualifier in the professional era to reach the Paris final.
“It feels like a dream. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just very happy,” Chwalinska told the cheering crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier.
She noted physical fatigue from facing top players daily but stressed the need to give full effort in a Grand Slam.
Shnaider showed frustration in the first set after Chwalinska produced powerful winners. The Russian recovered a break to level at 4-4. In the tiebreak, Chwalinska hit a precise lob for set point and took the set amid applause.
Despite strapping on her left thigh after nine matches at Roland Garros, she broke early in the second set and closed the match on her first match point with a forehand winner.
The final on Saturday will decide a new champion. Chwalinska said she watched Andreeva’s match and is prepared to compete fully.
