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Andreeva Reaches First Grand‑Slam Final as Qualifier Chwalinska Stuns Her Way to Roland‑Garros Showdown

A 19‑year‑old Russian who has dominated the clay season will face a rare qualifier in a final that keeps focus on player protests over the Russia–Ukraine war.

Overview

  • Mirra Andrejewa beat Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday to reach her first major final and end Kostyuk’s long unbeaten run on clay.
  • Maja Chwalinska, a qualifier ranked outside the top 100, won her semi against Diana Schnaider to become only the second qualifier ever to reach a Grand‑Slam final.
  • Kostyuk used the tournament to publicize wartime damage near her family home and refused the customary net handshake with Andrejewa as part of a wider protest by Ukrainian players.
  • Andreyeva arrives in the final as the clay‑season favorite with an exceptional season record, including 35 wins this year and a 21-3 mark on clay.
  • The match pits two first‑time major finalists against each other and keeps Roland‑Garros in the spotlight for both sporting breakthroughs and the human cost of the Russia‑Ukraine conflict.