Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen was stunned by the Polish youngster at the French Open major

Poland’s Maja Chwalinska produced one of the most significant shocks of the French Open by stunning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in a first-round upset that caused waves at Roland Garros. On Monday, May 25, Chwalinska won 6–4, 6–0, completing a dominant finish that sent her into the second round.

The world number 116, who had to fight her way through the qualifiers to reach the main stage, produced a fearless and high-quality performance in her first clay Slam main draw appearance to dismantle the Olympic gold medalist in straight sets.

French Open 2026 – Update on 2

What made the victory even more remarkable was not just the opponent, but the manner of execution. Zheng, ranked in the world’s top 60 players and widely regarded as one of the most dangerous players on clay, was impressed by Chwalinska’s consistency, depth and relentless court coverage.

The Polish qualifier, who arrived in Paris outside the top 100, was in irresistible form throughout the tournament. She didn’t drop a set from the start of qualifying, carried it smoothly into the main draw and continued her perfect run against one of the sport’s biggest names.

Zheng, who won Olympic gold on these very courts in 2024, entered the match as overwhelming favorite but was unable to establish her rhythm as Chwalinska dictated from the baseline and absorbed the pressure with remarkable composure.

The result marks one of the most significant breakthroughs in Chwalinska’s career, elevating her status from qualifier to giant slayer in a single afternoon at Roland Garros.

She will next play the winner of the match between Germany’s Tatjana Maria and Belgium’s Elise Mertens.

PAOLINI, SWIATEK ADVANCE

Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini reached the second round of the French Open with dominant opening round performances, cementing their status as strong rivals on the Paris clay.

Four-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek got her campaign off to a fierce start by sweeping Australian wild card Emerson Jones 6–1, 6–2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The Polish world number three, who has dominated Roland Garros over the years, once again displayed her signature heavy topspin and relentless baseline control to overwhelm her young opponent. Swiatek’s experience on the Paris clay was evident as she dictated the rally from the start and never allowed Jones to settle into a rhythm.

She now advances to the second round where she will face Czech player Sara Bejlek, another rising talent who will be looking to test her defending strength on her favorite surface. However, Swiatek remains the player to beat in Paris, having only lost a handful of matches at Roland Garros over the past few seasons.

Meanwhile, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini booked her place in the second round after a confident straight sets win over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in one hour and 40 minutes to secure a 7–5, 6–3 victory.

Paolini now advances to the next round where she will face Argentina’s Solana Sierra, who caused one of the first shocks of the tournament when she beat British No.1 Emma Raducanu in the opening round.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

25 May 2026 17:14 IST

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