PARIS : Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva moved within one win of a maiden Grand Slam title while qualifier Maja Chwalinska extended her improbable run at the French Open on Thursday, setting up an unexpected women’s final in Paris.
With top seeds including defending champion Coco Gauff, four-time winner Iga Swiatek and world number one Aryna Sabalenka already eliminated, both players capitalised on a wide-open draw to reach Saturday’s title match.
Eighth seed Andreeva, 19, swept past Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-1 6-3 in a politically charged semi-final marked by the absence of a pre-match photograph and post-match handshake, reflecting tensions stemming from Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Andreeva dominated from the outset with aggressive baseline play and said reaching a Grand Slam final fulfilled a lifelong ambition.
“It’s everything that I’ve been dreaming of,” she said.
Earlier, Poland’s Chwalinska continued her remarkable breakthrough by defeating Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-6(4) 6-4. The qualifier became only the second player in the professional era to reach a Grand Slam final after coming through qualifying, following Emma Raducanu’s U.S. Open triumph in 2021.
“It was such a challenging match, mentally and physically,” Chwalinska said.
The opening title of the tournament was also decided on Thursday, with Italy’s Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defending the mixed doubles crown, beating Evan King and Gabriela Dabrowski 4-6 6-3 10-4.
