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Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, 24, continues her magical French Open run with a straight set win over Anna Kalinskaya.
Chwalinska got off to a quick lead and was up two breaks in the first set, but Kalinskaya leveled the set and forced a tiebreaker.
After many lost opportunities that cost her the first set, Kalinskaya seemed deflated, and Chwalinska lifted her level again to pull away in the second set.
MORE: On his 40th birthday, Rafael Nadal still looms large at Roland Garros
Because Chwalinska is a qualifier into a Grand Slam semifinal, the comparisons to Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open run have begun.
However, there are key differences. Chwalinska has been around professional tennis for years, playing juniors with compatriot Iga Swiatek. Raducanu was a relatively unknown teenager in 2021.
She endured injury and mental health issues that prompted her to walk away from the game.
Jun 2, 2026; Paris, France; Balls in a ball person’s hand on day 10 at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
Though she has not ever been in the latter stages of a Grand Slam, she has won three WTA 125 Challenger events and has ascended to the Top 30 in the WTA live rankings.
Her Cinderella run is more comparable with Lois Boisson’s 2025 French Open though Chwalinska hopes for a better rest of season than the injured Boisson had.
MORE: As Alexander Zverev inches closer to a possible Grand Slam title, fans have mixed feelings
By all accounts, Chwalinska is anticipating the match of her career in the semifinal as WTA World No. 1 Sabalenka is the odds-on favorite to defeat Shnaider in the second quarterfinal of the day.
Could the fact that the lefty Chwalinska has nothing to lose give her a chance to upset Sabalenka?
It has been a wild ride during the 2026 French Open with many upsets, but that would be the biggest of them all.
Continue reading...
Chwalinska got off to a quick lead and was up two breaks in the first set, but Kalinskaya leveled the set and forced a tiebreaker.
After many lost opportunities that cost her the first set, Kalinskaya seemed deflated, and Chwalinska lifted her level again to pull away in the second set.
MORE: On his 40th birthday, Rafael Nadal still looms large at Roland Garros
The Chwalinska and Emma Raducanu comparisons have begun
Because Chwalinska is a qualifier into a Grand Slam semifinal, the comparisons to Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open run have begun.
However, there are key differences. Chwalinska has been around professional tennis for years, playing juniors with compatriot Iga Swiatek. Raducanu was a relatively unknown teenager in 2021.
She endured injury and mental health issues that prompted her to walk away from the game.
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Jun 2, 2026; Paris, France; Balls in a ball person’s hand on day 10 at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
Though she has not ever been in the latter stages of a Grand Slam, she has won three WTA 125 Challenger events and has ascended to the Top 30 in the WTA live rankings.
Her Cinderella run is more comparable with Lois Boisson’s 2025 French Open though Chwalinska hopes for a better rest of season than the injured Boisson had.
MORE: As Alexander Zverev inches closer to a possible Grand Slam title, fans have mixed feelings
Chwalinska faces Aryna Sabalenka and Diane Shnaider winner
By all accounts, Chwalinska is anticipating the match of her career in the semifinal as WTA World No. 1 Sabalenka is the odds-on favorite to defeat Shnaider in the second quarterfinal of the day.
Could the fact that the lefty Chwalinska has nothing to lose give her a chance to upset Sabalenka?
It has been a wild ride during the 2026 French Open with many upsets, but that would be the biggest of them all.
Continue reading...
