Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
With four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek out of the draw, Poland’s hopes at Roland Garros appeared to have suffered a major blow. Instead, an unlikely hero has emerged in Paris. Maja Chwalinska, a qualifier ranked No.114 in the world at the start of the tournament, has produced one of the most remarkable runs of the 2026 Grand Slam season, keeping the Polish flag flying high at Roland Garros.
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The 24-year-old continued her fairytale campaign on June 3, defeating Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to reach the women’s singles semi-finals. With the victory, Chwalinska became only the second Polish woman in the Open Era to reach the last four at Roland Garros after Iga Swiatek. The achievement is all the more impressive considering that she battled through the qualifying rounds to secure her place in the main draw.
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Chwalinska’s dream run has also earned her a place in an exclusive group in tennis history. She became just the sixth qualifier in the Open Era to reach the women’s singles semi-finals at a Grand Slam and only the second qualifier to achieve the feat at Roland Garros, following Nadia Podoroska’s breakthrough run in 2020.
After her win, Chwalinska said, “I honestly don’t know. I just try to win every match I’m playing. I’m not focusing on confidence. I’m playing against the best players in the world. I don’t compare myself to them.”
HOW CHWALINSKA BEAT KALINSKAYA
The opening set was a closely fought battle, with neither player able to gain a decisive advantage. Chwalinska, however, elevated her game when it mattered most, producing a composed display in the tiebreak to take the early lead.
Buoyed by the momentum, the Pole took control of the second set as Kalinskaya’s error count began to rise. Chwalinska used her consistency and court craft to dictate the rallies, breaking early and opening up a 4-1 advantage. She maintained her composure throughout the closing stages to secure a memorable victory in one hour and 54 minutes.
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Chwalinska’s fairytale run has already rewritten her career. The Polish qualifier has earned 870,000 dollars in prize money in Paris, surpassing her pre-tournament career earnings of 864,030 dollars. Her stunning campaign will also propel her to a career-high ranking of World No.30 when the updated WTA rankings are released.
The result further cemented Chwalinska’s status as the surprise package of Roland Garros 2026. Before arriving in Paris, she was best known as a promising former junior and a one-time doubles partner of Iga Swiatek.
Over the past two weeks, however, she has stepped out of her compatriot’s shadow and established herself as a force in her own right. Having dropped just one set during her remarkable run, the Polish left-hander has grown in confidence with every passing round and now finds herself within touching distance of a historic Grand Slam final.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
