Chwalinska rewarded for '18 years of patience and perseverance'

Qualifier Maja Chwalinska reflects on how "18 years of hard work, patience and perseverance" took her to the brink of a fairytale French Open title.

Polish tennis player Maja Chwalinska made history by reaching the French Open final as a qualifier, only the second to do so in the Open Era after Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open victory. Chwalinska defeated Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6-4 and will face 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the final. This marks Chwalinska’s third Grand Slam appearance, with her previous best being the second round at Wimbledon in 2022.

Qualifier Maja Chwalinska became the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Emma Raducanu's famous US Open triumph in 2021 as the world No 114 stunned 25th seed Diana Shnaider in their French Open semi-final. Chwalinska had only twice qualified for a Grand Slam main draw, winning one match at Wimbledon in 2022, prior to her remarkable run to the French Open final where she will face 19-year-old eighth seed Mirra Andreeva.

Qualifier Maja Chwalinska will attempt to write the perfect ending to her French Open fairy tale in an unlikely final on Saturday, but in 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva she will be up against an opponent on a roll and close to completing a Grand Slam dream of her own. Early exits for marquee names including defending champion Coco Gauff, four-time winner Iga Swiatek and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka opened the door for a new cast of contenders, and both Andreeva and Chwalinska have seized their chances.