Andreeva and Chwalinska set for contrasting French Open final
12 reported
The 2026 French Open women’s final will feature a stark contrast in career paths between Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva and Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, according to a BBC report. Andreeva, a 19-year-old teenage sensation, earned her first WTA Tour win as a 15-year-old in 2023 and reached the Wimbledon fourth round two months later. Chwalinska, 24 and ranked 114th, has never received direct entry into a major main draw and had only come through Grand Slam qualifying in two of her previous 14 attempts. Chwalinska was a 500-1 outsider at the start of the tournament. The match is scheduled for Saturday at Roland Garros.
What’s reported
Mirra Andreeva is the Russian eighth seed and a 19-year-old teenager.
Maja Chwalinska is a 24-year-old qualifier from Poland, ranked 114th.
Andreeva earned her first WTA Tour win as a 15-year-old in 2023 and reached the Wimbledon fourth round two months later.
Chwalinska has never received direct entry into the main draw of a major and had only come through Grand Slam qualifying in two of her previous 14 attempts.
Chwalinska was a 500-1 outsider at the start of the tournament.
Andreeva is the third-youngest Roland Garros finalist this century, behind Coco Gauff (2022) and Kim Clijsters (2001).
Andreeva is bidding to become the youngest French Open champion since Monica Seles in 1992.
Andreeva appointed former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez as her coach in 2024.
Andreeva has not faced a top-10 ranked opponent in the tournament.
Chwalinska feared she could not afford hotel costs after her second-round win; a Polish company that backs Iga Swiatek stepped in to cover costs.
In 2021, Chwalinska took an indefinite break from tennis after losing in first-round qualifying at Wimbledon, suffering from depression.
The final is on Saturday at Roland Garros.
Key figures
Mirra Andreeva, Russian tennis player, eighth seed
Maja Chwalinska, Polish tennis player, qualifier
Conchita Martinez, former Wimbledon champion, Andreeva’s coach
Marta Kostyuk, Ukrainian 15th seed, Andreeva’s semi-final opponent
Iga Swiatek, six-time major champion, childhood friend of Chwalinska
Emma Raducanu, Briton, only qualifier to win a Grand Slam title (2021 US Open)
Lois Boisson, home wildcard, Andreeva’s opponent in 2025 French Open quarter-final
Andy Murray, praised Andreeva at 2023 Madrid Open
Monica Seles, youngest French Open champion since 1992
Coco Gauff, 18-year-old finalist in 2022
Kim Clijsters, 17-year-old finalist in 2001
Sources: BBC News
