Will 'drop-shot queen' Maja Chwalinska continue 'Cinderella story' with win over Mirra Andreeva in French Open final?

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Maja Chwalinska’s dream French Open run went on as she beat Diana Shnaider in straight sets on Thursday to reach the final in Paris.

French Open finalist Chwalinska 'praying' idol Djokovic continues playing career

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The 24-year-old had only won one Grand Slam main-draw match before this tournament, and had never reached a WTA Tour semi-final.

During her win over Shnaider, Chwalinska showed off an array of shots and TNT Sports expert Anne Keothavong was in awe of one stroke in particular.

She said: ”When she came into the studio for the first time I called her the drop-shot queen and she was like ‘no, there are others who play it better’. But sorry, Maja your drop shot is a joke.”

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”It’s just such a wonderful story and I am so in awe of the tennis she has been able to produce.

”I have enjoyed every match of hers. Her composure and the way she held her nerve and closed it out. She is ranked No. 114 in the world. It’s insane.

”I don’t think she ever thought she would be in the final when she rocked up here three weeks ago, who would have thought? I am just delighted for her.”

Ranked No. 114 in the world, Chwalinska will now contest the final against eighth seed Mirra Andreeva on Saturday, having dropped just one set at the tournament so far.

”It’s just like a dream watching her have so much joy and be so gracious and be in this moment where she can’t even believe it,” said TNT Sports expert Venus Williams after Chwalinska beat Shnaider in straight sets in the semi-finals.

”She has come such a long way and it really is a Cinderella story.”

Chwalinska has beaten three seeds to reach the final and the only set she has dropped was in the third round against Maria Sakkari.

She was a set and a break down in that match but battled back to win, and has followed up with victories over France's Diane Parry, 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya, and Shnaider, who had beaten world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.

Andreeva in dark over Chwalinska

Andreeva has admitted that Chwalinska is something of an unknown quantity.

"She's been playing amazing three weeks for her, because she passed through qualies. She's been playing unbelievable," the Russian said of her Roland-Garros final opponent.

"I don't really know how she plays. I don't really know her game style. We'll just try to prepare for the final the best we can."

Highlights: Watch as qualifier Chwalinska makes history in reaching French Open final

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Raducanu and Swiatek inspiration

Chwalinska is the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final since Britain’s Emma Raducanu won the US Open in 2021.

While Raducanu had reached the fourth round of Wimbledon six weeks earlier, Chwalinska had little experience of winning matches at Grand Slams before the French Open.

”The best she had done was qualify and reach the second round at Wimbledon,” said Keothavong.

'It's such a wonderful story' - Experts 'in awe' of 'drop-shot queen' Chwalinska

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”It’s not like she has ever experienced being in the second week of a Slam and the attention on her, it’s a lot to take in.”

Chwalinska is the third Polish woman in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles final after Agnieszka Radwanska and Iga Swiatek.

She is close friends with Swiatek, a four-time winner of the French Open.

They made their professional debut at the same tournament in 2015 and Chwalinska has described her as a ”huge inspiration”.

”Role models are always important and if they are from your own country then it’s a good thing,” said TNT Sports expert Tim Henman.

'It's like a dream' - Qualifier Chwalinska reflects on making Roland-Garros final against all odds

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”The way she has taken it in her stride, and the quality of her tennis, and her physical resilience to play nine matches on clay, it’s an unbelievable performance and you just wonder whether she has one more in her.”

On the final, Henman added: "When you think about what has gone on the last two weeks, we have had so many upsets and surprises, who knows what will happen on Saturday? I am looking forward to it."

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