FRENCH OPEN. Paris. By Leo Canaparo
The women’s draw at Roland Garros has produced one of the most surprising finals of recent years. Russia’s Mirra Andreeva and Poland’s Maja Chwalinska both won their semifinal matches on Thursday and confirmed one certainty ahead of Saturday: a first-time Grand Slam champion will lift the trophy in Paris.
The first player to book her place in the final was the 19-year-old Andreeva, who once again showcased the talent and composure that have rapidly turned her into one of the brightest rising stars on the WTA Tour. The Russian dominated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 in just one hour and 16 minutes.
Andreeva controlled the match from the opening games on Court Philippe Chatrier. She stormed to a 4-0 lead in the first set and never allowed Kostyuk, currently ranked No. 15 in the world, to settle into the contest or dictate with her powerful forehand, usually her most dangerous weapon.
The second semifinal featured the tournament’s biggest revelation. Chwalinska, ranked No. 114 in the world and coming through qualifying, stunned fellow Russian Diana Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-4 to continue one of the most remarkable Cinderella runs seen at Roland Garros in recent memory.
Few could have predicted this championship match at the beginning of the tournament. With several top contenders eliminated early, the women’s draw opened the door to a completely unexpected final — something that has occasionally happened before in Grand Slam history.
One of the most memorable examples came at the 2017 US Open, when unseeded Sloane Stephens defeated fellow American Madison Keys in a final few analysts had anticipated at the start of the event. Another major surprise arrived at the 2021 French Open, where Barbora Krejcikova captured the title after beginning the tournament outside the main group of favorites.
There was also the unforgettable run of Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open, when the British teenager became the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam title, defeating Leylah Fernandez in a final nobody had expected just two weeks earlier.
Now, Paris prepares for another chapter of unpredictability. Whether it is the fearless power of Andreeva or the dream journey of Chwalinska, Roland Garros will crown a brand-new Grand Slam champion on Saturday.