Maja Chwalinska beats Diane Parry to reach French Open quarter-finals
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska has made history by reaching the French Open quarter-finals with a stunning 6-3 6-2 victory over home favourite Diane Parry.
The 24-year-old is the first qualifier in six years to advance to the last eight of the women’s singles at Roland Garros.
Having navigated three demanding qualifying rounds, the world number 114 shook her head in disbelief following her triumph on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Prior to this breakthrough tournament, the Polish player had secured just two tour-level main-draw wins on clay and registered only one Grand Slam victory.
A remarkable return from adversity
The rising star stepped away from tennis completely in 2021 to battle depression and admitted she was unsure if she would ever return to the sport.
She has now won seven consecutive matches in the French capital, claiming six of those encounters in straight sets.
This remarkable sequence of results means the former Wimbledon debutant is projected to break into the world’s top 50 for the very first time.
“I didn’t expect it for sure. I’m just very grateful to be here,” Chwalinska told the crowd.
“Nobody knows me, to be honest.”
Kalinskaya awaits in the quarter-finals
The surprise package could now become only the second qualifier in the Open era to reach the semi-finals after Nadia Podoroska achieved the feat in 2020.
Standing in her way is Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya, who survived a brutal three-hour epic against Anastasia Potapova.
Kalinskaya recovered from a 4-1 deficit in the final-set tie-break to eventually triumph 6-4 2-6 7-6 (10-7).
On the prospect of facing the 27-year-old, Chwalinska remained fully aware of the monumental task ahead.
“She is one of the top players in the world,” Chwalinska said.
“So definitely, a very challenging one again – like every match here. I need to play my best tennis to win.”
Shnaider stuns Keys to advance
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, American 19th seed Madison Keys was eliminated following a heavy defeat to Diana Shnaider.
The 22-year-old Russian dismantled the 2025 Australian Open champion 6-3 3-6 6-0 to secure her first ever Grand Slam quarter-final appearance.
Shnaider will next face either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or four-time major winner Naomi Osaka for a place in the semi-finals.
