PARIS (AP) — Maja Chwalinska extended her remarkable French Open run by beating No. 22-seeded Anna Kalinskaya 7-6 (3), 6-3 Wednesday to reach the semifinals.
The unseeded Chwalinska came through three qualifying rounds to become only the second Polish woman to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros, along with four-time champion Iga Swiatek.
Kalinskaya's wild shot at the net gave Chwalinska a match point and she converted it when Kalinskaya's big forehand from the back of the court went out.
The 24-year-old Chwalinska put her hand over her mouth and then her face in her hands in near disbelief.
“I honestly don't know what's going on. Every single match here is kind of crazy for me,” she said. “I was definitely nervous. I'm stressed of course but I try and focus on my job, on my game.”
Chwalinska had never been beyond the second round at any major before this tournament.
“I'm playing against the best players in the world," she said. “I won't compare myself to them.”
Her next opponent will be No. 25 Diana Shnaider, who beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka later Wednesday for yet another French Open upset.
Whatever happens next for Chwalinska, she has already doubled her career earnings.
Chwalinska's total prize money before this tournament was $864,030 and reaching the last four here earns her 750,000 euros (about $872,000).
Windy conditions
After they traded early breaks of serve amid blustery conditions with the roof open on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Chwalinska led 5-1 until Kalinskaya broke back in the seventh game, having saved a set point, then held for 5-3.
Kalinskaya saved another set point at 40-30 down in the following game, then used her strong backhand to break a nervous-looking Chwalinska's serve again.
A fan waved a Poland flag when Chwalinska held in the 11th game to stem Kalinskaya's comeback. The flag was raised again when she won a 25-stroke rally to move 5-3 up in the tiebreaker, and she clinched the first set at the third opportunity when Kalinskaya’s two-handed backhand sailed long.
“I feel like I was fighting against the wind, against the weather conditions, plus against her. Being lefty, it was very tricky today,” Kalinskaya said. “It was cold today, so the ball was going slower. I couldn’t use my speed, my power. So it definitely was an advantage for her today, for her game style.”
Chwalinska secured a double break of serve to lead 4-1 in the second set, but dropped her serve when serving for the match at 5-2.
It made little difference as Kalinskaya’s flagging serve soon gave her another chance.
