Chwalinska becomes first qualifier to reach French Open final, faces Andreeva

Polish tennis player Maja Chwalinska has made tennis history at the 2026 French Open by becoming the first qualifier ever to reach the final at Roland Garros. The 25-year-old world number 114 defeated Russian Diana Shnaider, seeded 25th, in straight sets during the semifinals.

Chwalinska's achievement is extraordinary, as qualifiers typically exit in the early rounds of Grand Slam tournaments. She is only the second qualifier in Grand Slam history to reach a final, following Emma Raducanu's remarkable US Open victory in 2021. Chwalinska's run has been described as a fairytale, given her starting position at world ranking 114 and her journey through qualifying rounds and all main draw matches.

In the other semifinal, Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva defeated Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in a match overshadowed by political tensions. The encounter notably ended without the customary handshake between players, and no joint photo was taken, reflecting the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine that continue to manifest in sporting events.

Andreeva is widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in women's tennis and is often described as a prodigy. Her advancement to the final underscores the potential of the young Russian, who has been achieving international success at a remarkably young age. The matchup between Chwalinska and Andreeva promises an intriguing final between two players from different generations and backgrounds.

For Chwalinska, reaching the final represents not only a sporting triumph but also a significant leap in world rankings and prize money earnings. Qualifiers typically receive considerably less attention and prize money, but her historic run has thrust her into the spotlight. Her story demonstrates that tennis can still produce remarkable underdog success stories.

The 2026 French Open has proven to be a tournament of surprises, with several unexpected results across various rounds. However, Chwalinska's success stands out as the most remarkable, creating a historic precedent for future qualifiers. Her path to the final will serve as inspiration for other lower-ranked players.

The final will determine whether Chwalinska can crown her fairytale story with the title or if Andreeva will confirm her status as favorite. Both players have already proven they can perform under pressure, and the final promises a high-quality match between two determined competitors. The contrast between the experienced qualifier and the young prodigy adds an extra dimension to what is already a historic final.