PARIS, France: Three weeks ago, Maja Chwalińska had two simple goals: crack the top 100 by year’s end and qualify for Roland Garros. On Thursday, the 24-year-old Polish qualifier achieved something no one dared to dream, she became the lowest-ranked French Open finalist in history.
Your 2026 women’s Roland-Garros final 🤩
A fairy tale vs a teenage sensation 🍿#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Q2vIHefS1Q
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026
Chwalińska, ranked world No. 114, produced a stunning 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over 25th-seeded Russian Diana Shnaider on Court Philippe Chatrier, setting up a Saturday final against 19-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva. In doing so, she became only the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles final, joining Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion.
With unshakable composure, jaw-dropping shotmaking, and extraordinary defense belying her diminutive stature, Chwalińska outlasted Shnaider in what many are calling the most compelling women’s match of the tournament. The victory marked her ninth win on Parisian clay, including three rounds of qualifying.
The 2nd qualifier in open era to reach a Grand Slam final, the first one at Roland-Garros 📚
A historical achievement for Maja Chwalinska to highlight our stat of the day by @Infosys 📊#RolandGarros #RolandGarroswithInfosys #ExperiencetheNext pic.twitter.com/OX215vyKbE
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Chwalińska said afterward. “I came here just hoping to win a few matches. Now I’m in the final of Roland Garros.”
Young guns take center stage
Thursday’s semifinal slate was a showcase of emerging talent, featuring four players all under 25, the first time since 2011 that no semifinalist was over that age. Gone were the familiar names of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, and Coco Gauff. In their place, a new generation announced itself.
Earlier on Chatrier, eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva stormed into her maiden Grand Slam final with a ruthless 6-1, 6-3 demolition of Ukraine’s 15th-seeded Marta Kostyuk.
The 19-year-old, who had lost her previous two meetings against Kostyuk, including the Madrid final just weeks ago, produced a display of breathtaking maturity and aggression.
The teenage dream continues! 🌟
19-year-old Mirra Andreeva snaps Kostyuk’s 17-match streak to storm into her first Grand Slam final! The youngest finalist in Paris since Coco Gauff in 2022. #RolandGarroshttps://t.co/DyssPSFLmN
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026
From the opening game, Andreeva set an unrelenting pace, racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set. Kostyuk, who entered the match unbeaten on clay this season, found herself overwhelmed by the Russian’s depth and variety. The first set lasted just 32 minutes.
Kostyuk showed fleeting signs of resistance in the second set, but Andreeva, displaying calm beyond her years, swiftly extinguished any comeback hopes, breaking decisively before serving out the match.
As has become customary between Ukrainian and Russian players following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there was no handshake at the net. Kostyuk also opted out of the traditional pre-match photograph.
Mirra Andreeva smashes the point of the day 💥#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ZwZTizePG3
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2026
Andreeva: “I got revenge for Madrid”
An emotional Andreeva admitted to pre-match nerves but credited her aggressive game plan.
“I’m still very nervous coming into this match as she’s had an amazing season, she hadn’t lost on clay, so that put pressure on me,” Andreeva said.
“She’s an amazing player, a tough opponent, so I’m super happy with the way I played. I’m happy I got revenge for the Madrid final, and to reach my first Grand Slam final. All of these feelings combined – I’ve never felt anything like this. I’m very excited about the last match here in Paris.”
Final by the numbers
- Chwalińska will play her 10th match of the tournament on Saturday, the most by any finalist in French Open history.
- She is the lowest-ranked finalistever at Roland Garros (No. 114).
- Andreeva, at 19, is seeking to become the youngest French Open women’s champion since Iga Świątek won at 19 in 2020.
- Saturday’s final will feature two young players(Andreeva is 19; Chwalińska is 24 but playing in her first full WTA season).
The stage is set for an extraordinary finale, a qualifier chasing history against a teenager seeking her first Grand Slam crown. Paris could not have written a better script.
