By: Osabuohien Imuetinyanosa
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska has beaten the overcome of world number one Sabalenka with a remarkable display on Thursday, now defeated Diana Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-4 to secure a place in her maiden Grand Slam final and continue one of the most astonishing runs in recent French Open history.
The 24-year-old, who entered Roland Garros through qualifying, became the first qualifier in the Open Era to reach the women’s singles final in Paris. Her reward is a championship showdown against teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, who earlier dispatched Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 in the first semifinal.
Roared on by a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd, Chwalinska with all zest and passion and bravery with resilience have defined her tournament with so much class and uniqueness.
“It feels like a dream,” she said after sealing victory. “I don’t know what’s going on. I’m very happy.”
Despite admitting that the physical demands of her extraordinary campaign were beginning to take their toll, Chwalinska refused to dwell on fatigue.
“I’m not feeling great physically, but this is a Grand Slam,” she said. “You have to give everything you have and even more.”
The opening set developed into a fiercely contested battle between the two left-handers. Chwalinska struck the cleaner ball for long stretches, producing a series of dazzling winners, but Shnaider fought back from an early deficit to level the contest at 4-4.
Neither player was willing to yield ground as the set progressed. Chwalinska eventually edged ahead in the tiebreak, where a perfectly executed lob helped earn a crucial set point before she closed out the opener to the delight of the Paris crowd.
The second set followed a similarly competitive pattern, with both players trading blows from the baseline. Wearing protective strapping on her left thigh, Chwalinska showed no signs of backing down, matching Shnaider’s power and intensity shot for shot.
A decisive break late in the set ultimately shifted the momentum firmly in her favour. From there, the world number 114 maintained her nerve, sealing victory on her first match point with a commanding forehand winner.
Reflecting on her calm demeanour during tense moments, Chwalinska revealed that appearances can be deceptive.
“I try to stay composed because it helps me play my best tennis,” she said. “But inside, there’s a storm.”
Saturday’s final guarantees the crowning of a first-time Grand Slam singles champion. Chwalinska, whose remarkable journey has captivated tennis fans throughout the fortnight, said she was eager for the challenge that awaits.
“I watched some of Mirra’s match,” she said. “Her game is incredible. This is another amazing experience for me, and I’ll give everything I have.”
Only Emma Raducanu’s stunning triumph at the 2021 U.S. Open provides a comparable modern example of a qualifier reaching a Grand Slam final. Now Chwalinska stands one victory away from completing an even more extraordinary chapter in tennis history.
