Tennis: Poland's Chwalińska makes history at Roland Garros

Poland's Maja Chwalińska has made history by becoming the first qualifier to reach the French Open final since the professional era began in 1968.

Maja Chwalińska

EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA

The 24-year-old defeated Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-6, 6-4 in the women's singles semifinals at Roland Garros in Paris on Thursday.

FROM QUALIES TO GRAND SLAM FINAL ☄️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/B2gP7iHfku

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026

"It's like a dream, honestly," Chwalińska said in her on-court interview. "I don't know what's going on. I don't know what to say. I'm just very happy."

Maja can't believe it 🎙️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/WPufvbcNk5

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026

Chwalińska had never previously reached the French Open main draw before advancing through qualifying this year.

Maja isn't superstitious, but her coaches are... it's been pizza for the last three weeks in team Chwalinska 🍕#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/CEm3B04bgB

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026

She now has the opportunity to become only the second qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title, following Britain's Emma Raducanu, who captured the 2021 US Open crown.

Following Iga’s footsteps? 🇵🇱✨

Six years after a teenage Swiatek shocked the world in Paris, her childhood friend Maja Chwalinska is aiming for an even bigger miracle#RolandGarroshttps://t.co/qFmlMXDuBV

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026

Chwalińska will face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the championship match on Saturday.

Your 2026 women’s Roland-Garros final 🤩

A fairy tale vs a teenage sensation 🍿#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Q2vIHefS1Q

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026

Marcin Matuszewski reports.

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