No Iga Swiatek, no problem: Maja Chwalinska holds the Polish flag in her dream

With four-time French Open winner Iga Swiatek out of the draw, Poland’s hopes at Roland Garros appeared to have suffered a major blow. Instead, an unlikely hero appeared in Paris. Maja Chwalinska, a qualifier ranked 114th in the world at the start of the tournament, produced one of the most remarkable runs of the 2026 Grand Slam season as she kept the Polish flag flying high at Roland Garros.

The 24-year-old continued her fairytale campaign on June 3 when she defeated Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to reach the women’s singles semifinals. With the victory, Chwalinska became only the second Polish woman in the Open Era to reach the last four at Roland Garros after Iza Swiatek. The achievement is all the more impressive given that she fought her way through the qualifying rounds to secure a spot in the main competition.

French Open 2026 – Update on 11

Chwalinska’s dream run also earned her a place in an exclusive group in tennis history. She became only the sixth qualifier in the Open Era to reach the women’s singles semifinals at a Grand Slam and only the second qualifier to do so at Roland Garros, following Nadia Podoroskova’s breakthrough run in 2020.

After her victory, Chwalinska said: “I honestly don’t know. I just try to win every match I play. I don’t focus on confidence. I play against the best players in the world. I don’t compare myself to them.”

JAK CHWALINSKÁ BOHLA KALINSKAYA

The opening set was an even battle, with neither player able to gain a decisive advantage. However, Chwalinska upped her game when it mattered most, putting in a poised display in the tiebreak to take an early lead.

Buoyed by the pace, the Pole took control of the second set as Kalinska’s errors began to mount. Chwalinska used her consistency and court skills to dictate the rally, breaking early to open up a 4-1 advantage. She kept her composure throughout the closing stages to secure a memorable victory in one hour and 54 minutes.

CHWALINSKA COMING FROM SWIATEK’S SHADOW

Chwalinska’s fairytale run has already rewritten her career. The Polish qualifier earned $870,000 in prize money in Paris, surpassing her pre-tournament career earnings of $864,030. Her stunning campaign also takes her to the top spot of world No. 30 following the release of the updated WTA rankings.

The result further cemented Chwalinska’s status as a surprise package for Roland Garros 2026. Prior to arriving in Paris, she was best known as a promising former junior and Iga Swiatek’s former doubles partner.

However, over the past two weeks, she has stepped out of her compatriot’s shadow and established herself as a force in her own right. Dropping just one set during her remarkable run, the Polish left-hander grew in confidence with each passing round and now finds herself within touching distance of a historic Grand Slam final.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

03 Jun 2026 17:31 IST