From Qualifier to Semifinalist: Polish Underdog Chwalinska Continues French Open Fairytale
World No. 114 Maja Chwalinska of Poland defeated 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya at the French Open, becoming only the second woman in the Open Era to reach the Roland Garros semifinals as a qualifier. She will face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or 25th seed Diana Shnaider in the semifinals.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 22:23
- 🔍 Collected: June 3, 2026 at 22:32 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 16:25 (65h 52m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Paris, June 3, Combined Foreign Reports) World No. 114 Polish tennis player Maja Chwalinska defeated 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya at the French Open on Tuesday, becoming only the second woman in the professional era to advance from qualifying to the semifinals at Roland Garros.
According to AFP, Chwalinska beat Russia's Anna Kalinskaya, competing as a neutral athlete, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 in the quarterfinals, once again showcasing her resilience against the odds.
Before this Paris tournament, Chwalinska had won only two tour-level matches on clay in her career. Now, she is just one win away from the highest honor on the red clay.
The 24-year-old's semifinal opponent on Wednesday will be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or 25th seed Diana Shnaider.
Regardless of the outcome, she has already etched her name in Roland Garros history. Chwalinska has at least matched the achievement of Argentina's Nadia Podoroska, who in 2020 became the first woman in the Open Era to reach the French Open semifinals as a qualifier.
"I really don't know what's happening. I know I keep saying that, but every match here is so incredible for me, so I'm very grateful," Chwalinska said in a post-match interview.
"I'm just trying to win every match. I'm playing against the best players in the world, so I don't compare myself to them."
The diminutive Pole had two chances to serve out the first set, leading 5-1 and 5-3, but was broken back both times due to wind interference on Court Philippe Chatrier, allowing Kalinskaya to level the set at 5-5.
In the tiebreak, Chwalinska opened a 6-3 lead, and a defensive backhand error from her opponent gave her the first set.
She secured another double break in the second set to lead 4-1 and take control of the match.
Although Kalinskaya fought back again, Chwalinska fended off the challenge in the ninth game. The match ended when the 27-year-old's forehand went long. (Translation: Central News Agency, Ho Hung-ju) 1150603
According to AFP, Chwalinska beat Russia's Anna Kalinskaya, competing as a neutral athlete, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 in the quarterfinals, once again showcasing her resilience against the odds.
Before this Paris tournament, Chwalinska had won only two tour-level matches on clay in her career. Now, she is just one win away from the highest honor on the red clay.
The 24-year-old's semifinal opponent on Wednesday will be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or 25th seed Diana Shnaider.
Regardless of the outcome, she has already etched her name in Roland Garros history. Chwalinska has at least matched the achievement of Argentina's Nadia Podoroska, who in 2020 became the first woman in the Open Era to reach the French Open semifinals as a qualifier.
"I really don't know what's happening. I know I keep saying that, but every match here is so incredible for me, so I'm very grateful," Chwalinska said in a post-match interview.
"I'm just trying to win every match. I'm playing against the best players in the world, so I don't compare myself to them."
The diminutive Pole had two chances to serve out the first set, leading 5-1 and 5-3, but was broken back both times due to wind interference on Court Philippe Chatrier, allowing Kalinskaya to level the set at 5-5.
In the tiebreak, Chwalinska opened a 6-3 lead, and a defensive backhand error from her opponent gave her the first set.
She secured another double break in the second set to lead 4-1 and take control of the match.
Although Kalinskaya fought back again, Chwalinska fended off the challenge in the ninth game. The match ended when the 27-year-old's forehand went long. (Translation: Central News Agency, Ho Hung-ju) 1150603