History-making qualifier Chwalinska sets up Andreeva French Open final

Poland’s Maja Chwalinska beats Diana Shnaider to reach French Open final and makes history after qualifying run.Maja Chwalinska of Poland became just the second qualifier to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era when she beat Diana Shnaider of Russia 7-6 (4), 6-4.The 24-year-old Chwalinska has a chance to match Emma Raducanu’s title run at the 2021 US Open when she plays Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in Saturday’s final at Roland Garros.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Iran footballers describe how war with US-Israel affects their World Cuplist 2 of 4Man City threatens legal action against Real Madrid following Haaland claimlist 3 of 4Who are the Golden Boot favourites at World Cup 2026?list 4 of 4Last Dance: Ronaldo, Messi and others gear up for likely final World Cupend of listAccording to stats provider Opta, Chwalinska and Raducanu stand alone among men and women in having reached a major singles final from the qualifying rounds since the Open Era began in 1968. The former made history as the first, therefore, to do so at Roland Garros in the professional era.Chwalinska sealed victory on Thursday on her first match point with a powerful forehand winner down the line, then fell back with both hands on her face. She then sat on her chair and panted heavily, her face buried in a towel.“Like a dream, honestly, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what to say, sorry,” she said during her on-court interview. “Let me enjoy this moment for now.”Chwalinska’s run saw her advance through three qualifying rounds to enter the main draw and play in just her third Grand Slam. Her best result at a major before this was the second round at Wimbledon in 2022. Polish countrywoman Iga Swiatek has won the French Open four times.The 19-year-old Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam final by beating Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 earlier Thursday on Court Philippe-Chatrier.Andreeva had reached the semifinals here two years ago, but this was Chwalinska’s first semifinal anywhere at the WTA tour level.