Qualifier reaches French Open final before losing to top seed

Maja Chwalinska reached the French Open final after starting in the first round of qualifying on 18 May. She recorded nine consecutive wins before facing Mirra Andreeva in the championship match. Chwalinska lost the final 6-3 6-2 on Saturday. The result ended her run but produced a career-high ranking and a substantial prize payout.

Ranking and earnings impact Chwalinska will move from 114th to 21st in the WTA rankings on Monday. Her 1.4 million euros in prize money nearly doubles her previous career earnings. The 24-year-old said the outcome followed 18 years of work. She added that the three-week tournament period was unforgettable.

Path and preparation Chwalinska began the event without a kit sponsor.

A Polish drinks company covered part of her extended stay in Paris. The final was her 20th WTA Tour match and her first against a top-10 opponent. She had previously reached the junior doubles final at the Australian Open alongside Iga Swiatek.

Future schedule Chwalinska is not assured of direct entry into Wimbledon because she was outside the top 100 at the entry deadline. She will enter qualifying unless granted a wildcard. She said she does not expect a wildcard but will treat the grass-court event as a new challenge beginning 29 June.