Polish world number 114 Maja Chwalinska made French Open history on Thursday as she beat Diana Shnaider in straight sets to become the first qualifier to go all the way to the final at Roland Garros in the professional era.
The 24-year-old’s 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 victory over Russian 25th seed Shnaider made her only the second woman to come through qualifying and reach a Grand Slam final in any major since the Open era began, after Emma Raducanu’s title run at the US Open in 2021.
Chwalinska will meet Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in Saturday’s title-decider.
Appearing in her first main draw in Paris, Chwalinska, who had on three previous occasions failed to qualify for Roland Garros, has won nine matches across her three-week French Open campaign to stand on the brink of glory.
Chwalinska said her run to the final was “like a dream” moments after beating Shnaider.
“I don’t know what’s going on, I just, I dunno what to say. I’m sorry, I’m just very happy,” she added to raucous applause on Court Philippe Chatrier.
One aspect of run to the final has been the ice-cold composure she has displayed on court across all her matches.
“I’m crazy sometimes also, yeah,” Chwalinska said of her emotions.
“But I try to stay composed because I know it’s the best way for me… But inside there’s a storm believe me.”
In an intriguing clash of styles between the variety of Chwalinska’s game and the power-hitting of Shnaider, it was the diminutive Pole who earned the first break to get 3-1 ahead.
A deft drop-shot followed by a beautifully disguised deep backhand slice helped bring three break points, she converted the first when Shnaider drove a forehand into the tramlines.
The Russian hit back straight away to wipe out the break, even drawing an admiring thumbs-up from Chwalinska after a perfectly-weighted backhand drop-shot.
A wild forehand by Chwalinska gave Shnaider daylight at 3-1 in the tie-break but the patient Pole won six of the next seven points to claim the opener.
With the sun peeking through the sides of the roof on centre court, the pair exchanged breaks of serve to start the second set.
Shnaider called for a medical time-out to receive a back massage when leading 4-3.
Chwalinska began drawing the rallies out in response and promptly broke Shnaider in the Russian’s next service game to move to the edge of victory.
She sealed her spot in the final with a forehand winner.
“I will give my all, it’s a Grand Slam final,” Chwalinska 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,” she added of preparations for her 10th and final match of the tournament.
Andreeva races past Kostyuk to reach French Open final
Earlier, Andreeva raced into her first Grand Slam final as she beat an erratic Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3.
The 19-year-old Russian took one hour and 16 minutes to overcome her Ukrainian opponent.
“I’m still very, very nervous. I was very nervous coming into this match,” said eighth-seeded Andreeva on court at the end.
Kostyuk, the 15th seed, had won her previous two meetings with Andreeva, both this year. The most recent was on clay in the final in Madrid as Kostyuk put together a 17-match unbeaten run on the red dirt coming into the Roland Garros last four.
Yet, on Thursday, she quickly started to unravel against her teenage opponent. Kostyuk dropped serve in the very first game after two double faults and a pair of unforced errors.
She led 0-40 in Andreeva’s first service game but a combination of Kostyuk errors on high-risk strokes and the Russian’s steadier defence allowed Andreeva to recover to consolidate the break.
The pattern persisted as Andreeva grabbed the initiative to win through the 34-minute set.
Kostyuk had a break point in the first game of the second set but could not take it.
Andreeva pulled 4-1 ahead. Kostyuk, who finished with 34 unforced errors, finally forced a break of her own but promptly dropped serve to love and Andreeva duly served out the win.
“She’s had an amazing season,” said Andreeva of Kostyuk. “She’s an amazing player, very tough opponent.
“I’m super happy with the way I played and then that I got revenge for Madrid final and I’m happy that I’m in my first-ever Grand Slam final.
“All of these feelings combined it’s amazing. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”
Andreeva was the only one of the women’s semi-finalists to have reached this stage at one of the four majors — she lost to Jasmine Paolini at the last-four stage of Roland Garros in 2024.
