Maja Chwalinska says:
“I am crazy sometimes, but I try to stay composed as I know it is the best way for me. It helps me to play my best tennis, so that is what I am trying to do. Inside there is a storm with me.”
“I have played like eight matches here already or more. So there are no secrets. I watched Mirra Andreeva a bit playing before us, so I watched her game. It was incredible. It is just another great experience for me. I will for sure give my all – it is a Grand Slam final.”
Who is Maja Chwalinska? The Polish qualifier on stunning run to French Open final
The women’s French Open finals will feature the eighth seed and the world No 114, who came through qualifying on a storming run into the final.
Poland’s Maja Chwalinska has won nine matches in a row, including three in Roland-Garros qualifying, to make her maiden grand slam final – and has made history in the process.
She is the first player to go through qualifying to make the French Open final, and only the second woman to make a grand slam showpiece as a qualifier, after Emma Raducanu at the US Open in 2021.
Maja Chwalinska reaches French Open final
This makes Maja Chwalinska the first player to ever go through qualifying to reach the French Open final.
Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska reached the semi-finals in 2020.
And the last qualifier to reach a slam final? Emma Raducanu, at the US Open in 2020. And we all know what happened then…
Maja Chwalinska reaches French Open final
How does it feel to be a Roland-Garros finalist? “Like a dream, honestly,” she says, still in disbelief.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what to say, I’m just very happy.”
How does she feel, mentally, physically? “I mean, not great,” she laughs. “It’s challenging, but it’s a grand slam, so you’ve just got to give your all and more. I’m not complaining at all.”
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Maja Chwalinska 7-6(4), 6-4 Diana Shnaider
Chwalinska has two match points… and she only needs one! A glorious forehand down the line and the qualifier is into her first grand slam final!
She collapses to the clay, before hugging Shnaider and heading to her chair, where she buries her face in a towel. Happy tears. The fairytale continues!
*Maja Chwalinska 7-6(4), 5-4 Diana Shnaider
Chwalinska breaks and the qualifier will serve for a place in the final!
*Maja Chwalinska 7-6(4), 3-4 Diana Shnaider
Shnaider is having a medical timeout for some treatment on her back, while Chwalinska does her best to keep warm. This match is ticking close to the two hour mark.
Maja Chwalinska 7-6(4), 2-2 Diana Shnaider*
The pair trade breaks and then each hold to start this second set, after a near-six minute break for Shnaider to go off court.
Chwalinska had some attention from a doctor at 2-1, with the issue appearing to be with her leg, which is quite heavily strapped. But she seems to be moving with freedom still.
GAME AND FIRST SET! Maja Chwalinska 7-6 (4) Diana Shnaider
As has happened so many times, Chwalinska digs herself back into this, first with a sweet drop volley and then with a glorious lob over Shnaider’s head.
Two set points Chwalinska… and she only needs one as Shnaider fires long!
TIE-BREAK! Maja Chwalinska 6-6 Diana Shnaider
The usually expressionless Chwalinska throws her head back in annoyance as another moonball goes fractionally wide.
Now Shnaider looks to the heavens in frustration as she gets to a deft Chwalinska slice drop shot, but only gets it into the net. Shnaider leads 3-2.
