Maja Chwalinska reaches French Open semi-final
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- Qualifier Maja Chwalinska has reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open after beating Anna Kalinskaya 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
- The world number 114, who has battled depression, is on an eight-match winning streak.
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Maja Chwalinska, ranked 114th in the world, has made a surprising run to the French Open semi-finals as a qualifier. She previously struggled with depression and took a break from the sport. This is her first Grand Slam semi-final appearance.
Qualifier Maja Chwalinska continued her dream French Open run as she beat Anna Kalinskaya to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final.
The world number 114 was left open-mouthed with shock after completing a superb 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win over 22nd seed Kalinskaya on a blustery Paris day.
Poland's Chwalinska is the second qualifier after Nadia Podoroska in 2020 to reach the singles semi-finals at Roland Garros.
She is only the sixth qualifier in the Open era to reach the women's singles semi-finals at a Grand Slam.
Only one - Britain's Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open - went on to win the title.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka could await Chwalinska the last four, with the Belarusian taking on Russian Diana Shnaider later on Wednesday.
"I honestly don't know what is going on," Chwalinska told the crowd.
"I know I repeat myself, but every match here is kind of crazy for me."
It is a remarkable run for Chwalinska, who arrived at the tournament with just two victories in WTA Tour-level main-draw matches under her belt.
Her sole Grand Slam match win came at Wimbledon in 2022 - but Chwalinska now finds herself on an eight-match winning streak on the Parisian clay, having dropped just one set on the way.
Everything appears to have clicked in place for a player who once feared she might have left the sport for good.
Chwalinska struggled with depression for two years and took an indefinite break from tennis after losing in the first round of qualifying at Wimbledon in 2021.
She did not know whether she would return at that point, having lost her enjoyment of training and competing.
With the support of the people around her, the openness of fellow players such as Naomi Osaka in speaking about their mental health, and brief attempts to enjoy other sports, Chwalinska found herself gradually gravitating back to the tennis court.
It has all led her to this moment of a first major semi-final - and a potential David-versus-Goliath showdown with title favourite Sabalenka.
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Maja Chwalinska will play Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.
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Offene Fragen
- Will Chwalinska be able to maintain her form against higher-ranked opponents?
- What will be the long-term impact of this success on Chwalinska's career?
- How will her potential semi-final match against Aryna Sabalenka unfold?
