Maja Chwalinska Makes History at Roland Garros
Maja Chwalinska has become the first qualifier to reach the women's singles quarter-finals at the French Open since Nadia Podoroska and Martina Trevisan achieved the feat in 2020.
"Nobody knows me, to be honest."
At 24 years old, Poland's Maja Chwalinska is on the verge of gaining significant recognition as she advances deep into the tournament.
Chwalinska secured her quarter-final spot by defeating French player Diane Parry 6-3, 6-2. Having progressed through three qualifying rounds to make her main-draw debut at Roland Garros, she expressed disbelief after her victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Before this tournament, the world number 114 had only won two tour-level main-draw matches on clay and had recorded just one Grand Slam win at Wimbledon in 2022 across her two Slam appearances.
However, since qualifying began two weeks ago, she has won all seven of her matches at Roland Garros, six of them in straight sets, and is projected to break into the world’s top 50 rankings.
"I didn't expect it for sure. I'm just very grateful to be here,"Chwalinska told the crowd.
Chwalinska's Journey and Challenges Ahead
Chwalinska took a break from tennis in 2021 due to struggles with depression and was uncertain about returning to the sport. Now, she stands on the brink of becoming only the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach the Roland Garros women's semi-finals, following Nadia Podoroska in 2020.
Her next challenge is Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. Should she advance, world number one Aryna Sabalenka could be her opponent.
"She is one of the top players in the world. Nobody knows me, to be honest. So definitely, a very challenging one again - like every match here. I need to play my best tennis to win."
Kalinskaya earned her quarter-final berth after a dramatic match against Russian-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova. She won 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a deciding-set 10-point tie-break after nearly three hours of play.
The 27-year-old Kalinskaya reached only her second major quarter-final by twice breaking back as Potapova served for the match and recovering from a 4-1 deficit in the super tie-break.
Other Notable Results
American world number 19 Madison Keys was eliminated after a three-set loss to Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider. Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 to the 22-year-old Shnaider, who reached the last eight at a Grand Slam for the first time.
Shnaider will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who advanced with a straight-sets victory over four-time major winner Naomi Osaka.
