Poland’s Maja Chwalinska beat Diana Schneider to reach the French Open final, making history after qualifying.
Published June 4, 2026
Maja Chwalinska (Poland) defeated Diana Schneider (Russia) 7-6 (4), 6-4, becoming the second competitor in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam singles final.
Chwarinska, 24, will face Russian teenager Mila Andreeva in Saturday’s final at Roland Garros and has a chance to match Emma Raducanu’s title win at the 2021 US Open.
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According to statistics provider Opta, Chwalinska and Raducanu are the only men and women to reach a major singles final from the qualifying rounds since the Open Era began in 1968. Therefore, the former went down in history as the first Roland Garros finalist in the professional era.
Chwalinska sealed the victory Thursday on her first match point with a powerful forehand winner down the line, but then retreated with her hands to her face. Then she sat down in the chair, buried her face in the towel, and panted heavily.
“It’s like a dream. Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry,” she said in an on-court interview. “Enjoy this moment for now.”
Chwarinska’s performance saw her advance through three qualifying rounds to qualify for the main event, making her third Grand Slam appearance. His previous best result at a major tournament was in the second round of Wimbledon in 2022. Her Polish compatriot Iga Swiatek has won the French Open four times.
Andreeva, 19, reached her first Grand Slam final by defeating Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier on Thursday.
Andrieva reached the semifinals here two years ago, but this was Chwarinska’s first semifinal at the WTA Tour level.
Chwalinsa lost just one set in nine matches, including qualifying, and bulldozed four top-50 players in the main draw. If she wins the tournament, her ranking will jump from 114th to 14th, according to the WTA.
Her bank balance will also increase significantly. Cwalinsa’s total prize money for Roland Garros was $864,030, but by reaching the final he will earn around 1.4 million euros (about $1.6 million). A win on Saturday would earn him 2.8 million euros ($3.25 million).
In the tiebreak, he converted a set point with a stunning drop shot and lob, and Schneider’s backhand went wide to take the first set.
Schneider took a medical timeout after the seventh game of the second set. She bent her left leg while lying on her back and dropped her serve in the ninth game, giving Chwalingsa a chance to serve for the match.
“Kudos to Maya. She played great,” Schneider said. “She moves unbelievably on the court and covers a lot. Even when you think you’ve scored a point, she’s there.”
