French Open: Maja Chwalinska to face Mirra Andreeva, 19, in Roland-Garros final as world No 114 stuns Diana Shnaider

04.06.2026, 21:19 skysports.com

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.

Andreeva made light work of Marta Kostyuk in the first semi-final on Thursday, beating the Ukrainian 6-1 6-3, before Chwalinska also cruised into Saturday's final in straight sets, beating Shnaider 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.

Shnaider went from the high of knocking out world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to being bamboozled by a qualifier in 24 hours.

The 22-year-old Russain cut a frustrated figure in the ​opening set against Chwalinska, as her opponent came up ⁠with some stunning winners that ⁠showcased her power and precision to earn the first break at 3-1.

Shnaider immiediately hit back to break and level at 3-3, but Chwalinska turned up the style again in the battle of the ‌left-handers, unleashing a backhand winner to hold in a marathon 11th game, before earning a set point in the ensuing tie-break with a perfect lob.

In the second set, the decisive break came in the ninth game, before the 24-year-old Chwalinska served out the match, clinching victory on her first match point with a forehand winner.

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Chwalinska collapsed to the clay in delight and disbelief, and she had to pause before her on-court interview while the crowd chanted her name.

"Like a dream," she eventually said when asked how the achievement felt. "I don't know what's going on. I don't know what to say."

Andreeva will also contest her first Grand Slam final as she ended Kostyuk's 17-match unbeaten run on clay with an impressive performance in the other semi-final, winning 6-1 6-3.

The 19-year-old Russian handled her second Roland-Garros semi-final with aplomb, banishing any painful memories from her first when well beaten by Jasmine Paolini two years ago.

"I'm still very nervous," Andreeva said afterwards. "I was very nervous coming into this match, she's had an amazing season. She's an amazing player, very tough opponent and I'm just super happy.

"I am happy that I am in my first Grand Slam final. All of these feelings combined, it is amazing.

"I just told myself no matter what happens, I am going to fight and give my best. With this kind of mindset, I ended up winning."

The atmosphere before the match was somewhat tense as the players had separate photos taken as they each stood next to two children on their respective sides of the net. Usually the players pose for the same photo, standing right next to each other.

Kostyuk and countrywoman Oleksandra Oliynykova, in particular, have spoken out during the tournament about the impact Russia's invasion of Ukraine is having on their country.

When the match started, Kostyuk - the first Ukrainian woman in the open era to reach the semi-finals in Paris - failed to convert three break points when up 0-40 in Andreeva's opening service game, before she then fell 4-0 behind.

Double faults and wild errors contributed to her poor start and, although she survived a long fifth game on serve, Andreeva wrapped up the opening set in just 33 minutes.

This was the pair's third meeting of the year, with Kostyuk having won the other two - including in the final of the Madrid Open last month - but she could find no foothold here and Andreeva again swept into a 3-0 lead in the second set.

At 4-1, a lifeline arrived for Kostyuk with the closing of the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier as thunder rumbled outside.

The flatter hitting of the Ukrainian is more difficult to control in the wind but suddenly conditions were predictable and she pulled two games back.

However, Andreeva was not about to let the moment slip through her fingers and she wrapped up victory after only an hour and 16 minutes.

There was no post-match handshake between the two players as Kostyuk walked off quickly, turning only to wave and blow kisses to the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, which saw some fans draped in Ukrainian flags.

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