Qualifier Maja Chwalinska continued her fairy tale run at Roland Garros by defeating Anna Kalinskaya in reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final appearance, Yankee Scores reports…
Dream French Open Run
The world number 114 was simply stunning as she managed to register a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win against the 22nd seeded Anna Kalinskaya under windy conditions in Paris.
It should be noted that Polish player Maja Chwalinska is the second qualifier after Nadia Podoroska in 2020 who reached the semi-final stage of singles at Roland Garros.
Maja’s dream run continues 🇵🇱
Here are the best points from the Chwalinska-Kalinskaya matchup ⚡️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/O5EDI4Kni6
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2026
Conquering the Darkness
Chwalinska became only the sixth qualifier in the Open Era reaching the semi-finals of women’s singles at a Grand Slam tournament.
Among them, only Britain’s Emma Raducanu won a Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open.
World number one player Aryna Sabalenka can become Chwalinska’s rival in the last four as Sabalenka plays against Russia’s Diana Shnaider on Wednesday.
Maja’s moment 💫#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/dtpbkU03uT
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2026
“I honestly don’t know what is going on,” Chwalinska told the crowd.
“I know I repeat myself, but every match here is kind of crazy for me. I was definitely nervous. I am stressed, of course, but I try to focus on my job and my games,” Chwalinska said.
But it is an impressive streak by Chwalinska, who entered the event with only two wins from main-draw WTA Tour level games under her belt.
The Polish woman boasts only one win in a Grand Slam match, which was at Wimbledon in 2022 – however, now Chwalinska is riding a streak of eight straight victories on clay courts in Paris, dropping just one set along the way.
Things have seemingly all fallen into place for a player who previously thought she had left the sport forever behind her.
Chwalinska suffered from depression for two years before taking a leave of absence from tennis following her early exit in the qualifiers at Wimbledon in 2021.
“I didn’t know if I wanted to come back because I was very frustrated, especially with my training,” said Chwalinska at the time. “I didn’t enjoy playing tennis anymore.”
With the help of those close to her and the openness of fellow players like Naomi Osaka in talking about their issues with mental wellbeing, combined with a few stints in other sports, Chwalinska found herself coming back to the sport she loves.
Potential Showdown With Sabalenka
All of which has put her right where she currently stands – a first-ever Grand Slam semi-final, and potentially a David versus Goliath battle against favorite Sabalenka.
“I am not focusing on confidence. I am playing against the best players in the world, so I will not compare myself to them.”
Semifinal preparations?
Maja is keeping it simple 😅#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/FqBydtE8Yp
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2026
Whatever happens in the semi-finals, Chwalinska is now projected to leap up the rankings and into the world’s top 30.
By reaching the semi-finals, she has also secured prize money amounting to £647,700 – more than doubling her career total earnings of £642,400 in the space of 10 days.
