French Open: Qualifier Chwalinska reaches historic final

Polish player Maja Chwalinska has continued her Cinderella run at the French Open, defeating Diana Shnaider 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 to reach the women's singles final. Chwalinska, ranked 114th in the WTA, has now won nine consecutive matches at Roland Garros, becoming the first qualifier in history to reach the final.

Despite a strapped thigh, Chwalinska displayed a composed and comprehensive game to overcome Shnaider, who had been dubbed the "queen killer" for her upsets. Overwhelmed by the victory, Chwalinska buried her face in a towel and wept as the crowd cheered. Her journey to the final is being compared to that of Emma Raducanu, who also won the US Open as a qualifier in 2021.

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It feels like a dream, I don't know what's happening, I don't know what to say, I'm really very happy.

"Honestly, my body is not in great shape. Playing against the best players in the world every day is really challenging," Chwalinska admitted. "But this is a Grand Slam, you have to give your all, even go beyond yourself. There's nothing to complain about."

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Honestly, my body is not in great shape. Playing against the best players in the world every day is really challenging, but this is a Grand Slam, you have to give your all, even go beyond yourself, there's nothing to complain about.

The 24-year-old left-hander is now one win away from mirroring Raducanu's fairytale Grand Slam victory. Her opponent in the final will be the 19-year-old Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva. Regardless of the outcome, the French Open is guaranteed to crown a new women's singles champion.

"I took a look at Mirra's match, her game is amazing. For me, this is another great experience, and I will give it my all," Chwalinska said of her upcoming final opponent.

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I took a look at Mirra's match, her game is amazing. For me, this is another great experience, and I will give it my all.