The French Open is guaranteed a brand-new women’s singles champion, as Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva and Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, both stormed through their semis to set up a dream finale.
Early exits for heavyweights including defending champion Coco Gauff, four-time winner Iga Swiatek and world number one Aryna Sabalenka, opened the door for a new cast of contenders. Both Andreeva and Chwalinska seized their chances.
19-year-old Russian Andreeva secured a 6-1 6-3 win over Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the semi-final to book her place in the final.
“I never actually thought that I would be able to win big tournaments, or be in a Grand Slam final,” said Andreeva, who could become the first teenager to win a Grand Slam title since Gauff’s U.S. Open triumph in 2023.
“It’s everything that I’ve been dreaming of. I would say that this is, I don’t know how other players think, but for me, personally, it’s like the number one goal in my life, the most important thing, the number one dream too.”
Roland Garros was already guaranteed a new women’s champion, and all eyes will be on Court Philippe Chatrier to witness which of the two contrasting journeys culminates in Grand Slam glory and who hoists the Suzanne Lenglen Cup on Saturday.
Polish qualifier Chwalinska downed another Russian in Diana Shnaider 7‑6(4) 6‑4 to continue her remarkable run. She became only the second qualifier to make a Grand Slam final in the professional era after Emma Raducanu’s triumphant US Open run in 2021.
“It was such a challenging match, for sure, mentally and physically,” Chwalinska said. “I feel like the first set was such a battle.”
“We definitely gave our all. So yeah, I’m definitely very proud of the effort, of my effort. Just super happy with the win, of course.”
