The most incredible story of Roland-Garros 2026 keeps getting better. Maja Chwalinska, a qualifier, reached the semifinals by defeating Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The 24-year-old Pole has now matched Nadia Podoroska's 2020 feat as the only qualifiers to reach the Roland-Garros semifinals in the Open Era. Remarkably, this is just Chwalinska's third appearance in a Grand Slam main draw.
The first set was a tense affair played in windy conditions, with both players exchanging early breaks. Chwalinska held her nerve at the critical moments, converting her third set point when Kalinskaya's backhand sailed long. The tiebreak was a commanding display from the Polish player, who sealed it 7-3.
Buoyed by taking the opener, Chwalinska raised her level in the second set. Her baseline game, blending power with clever variation, gradually suffocated Kalinskaya's resistance. At 6-3, the qualifier had secured the biggest victory of her career.
"I don't process it, you know. But definitely after the tournament finishes, I will have time to be grateful for what happened and process it as well," Chwalinska said with a smile at her post-match press conference.
Beyond the sporting achievement, the numbers tell their own story. Chwalinska has doubled her career prize money during this Parisian fortnight, rising from relative obscurity to become the sensation of the tournament. Her run through qualifying and the main draw, eight wins without interruption, commands respect.
She will next face Diana Shnaider, the day's other breakout star following her stunning upset of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. A semifinal between two players who had never been past the fourth round at a Grand Slam before this fortnight.
