Maja Chwalinska has stolen hearts at Roland Garros, reaching the final as a qualifier.
The world number 114 is now just a win away from the French Open title, as she prepares to take on Mirra Andreeva in Saturday’s final.
She would be a popular winner, although not everyone has been a fan of the Pole.
Who will win the French Open final – Mirra Andreeva or Maja Chwalinska?
The final nobody expected…
Former American player, turned pundit CoCo Vandeweghe had some choice words to say about Chwalinska at Wimbledon a few years ago…
CoCo Vandeweghe called Maja Chwalinska a ‘pathetic person’ after being hit by a forehand at the net
During the final round of Wimbledon qualifying in 2022, Chwalinska met Vandeweghe.
Vandeweghe, seeded second in qualifying, was expected to advance to the main draw, whereas expectations were lower for Chwalinska, who had never qualified for a Grand Slam main draw before.
The American won the first set 6-3, before her Polish opponent bravely fought back, taking the second by the same scoreline.
With so much at stake, the tension boiled over during the deciding third set.
At 1-1, 4-4 (15-15), Vandeweghe deployed the serve-and-volley tactic.
The ball sat up beautifully for Chwalinska, who smashed a forehand into Vandeweghe, winning the point.
Chwalinska apologised immediately.
“Sorry, sorry!” she said.
Vandeweghe wasn’t having any of it, criticising the youngster.
“That was so messed up,” she said.
“You pathetic person.
“So messed up!
“You don’t even have a clue.”
The commentators weren’t sure Vandeweghe had a case, but the American refused to let it go.
After winning the next point, she spoke up again.
“That’s right, karma,” she said.
“Eat it!”
Unfortunately for Vandeweghe, karma really wasn’t on her side that day, as she lost the final set 4-6.
Maja Chwalinska vs CoCo Vandeweghe – Match stats
| Stats | Maja Chwalinska | CoCo Vandeweghe |
| Aces | 3 | 11 |
| Double faults | 1 | 5 |
| 1st Serve % | 81% | 60% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 68% | 76% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 53% | 58% |
| Break points | 2/3 | 1/7 |
As you can expect, they didn’t have the warmest handshake at the net…
She did, however, have a chance at redemption when she qualified for the main draw as a lucky loser, but lost in straight sets to the eventual champion, Elena Rybakina, in round one.
Chwalinska, on the other hand, won her first career Grand Slam main draw match, defeating Katerina Siniakova, 6-0, 7-5, on Court 16.
Now working for TNT Sports, there is every chance that Vandeweghe will be a member of the panel when Chwalinska joins the desk as the newly crowned French Open champion on Saturday.
Maja Chwalinska’s keys to victory against Mirra Andreeva in the French Open final
Chwalinska is the underdog in the 2026 French Open women’s singles final.
The Pole is ranked 106 places below Andreeva and has far less experience at the Grand Slam level.
But anything can happen in a final, and Chwalinska has proven herself to be a tricky opponent throughout this tournament.
She mixes up her game better than most, and she must do the same against Andreeva.
If Chwalinska tries to outhit Andreeva, she stands no chance, but if she uses the drop shots and slices as effectively as she has in her other matches, there is a real chance she wins the title.
Andreeva’s patience and mental strength have been questioned in the past, and if Chwalinska can frustrate her on Court Philippe Chatrier, it’s not hard to imagine her game breaking down.
However, with neither player having contested a Grand Slam final before, it’s impossible to know how they will handle the pressure.
A year ago, we saw America’s Amanda Anisimova excel on her way to the Wimbledon final, before crumbling when it mattered most.
Anisimova didn’t win a single game in the final, as she lost 6-0, 6-0 to Iga Swiatek on Centre Court.
Andreeva or Chwalinska could quite easily suffer the same fate on Saturday afternoon, as they play the biggest match of their respective careers.
The 2026 French Open women’s singles final will take place on Saturday, June 6.
