Mumbai: The French Open has seen a great generalisation emerge over its 135-year history - either French players or underdogs tend to capture the hearts of the crowds. On Wednesday, the two underdogs in the women's singles quarter-finals certainly gave the Parisian fans a lot to cheer about.
Poland's Maja Chwalinska, a 24-year-old qualifier ranked 114 in the world, beat 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya of Russia 7-6(3), 6-3, while 25th seed Diana Shnaider came from behind to beat world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.
Chwalinska became the fifth women's singles player since 1990 to reach the Roland Garros semi-final in her main draw debut, and the second-lowest ranked women's singles player to reach the last four. She is also only the second qualifier, after Nadia Podoroska in 2020, to reach the semis at Roland Garros.
Shnaider's win ensured there will be a first-time Grand Slam champion in both the men's and women's singles events for the first time at the same Major since the 2021 US Open, and the second time since the 2004 French Open.
Chwalinska and Shnaider both had impressive victories, with Chwalinska joking that "nobody knows me, to be honest" earlier in the tournament. She and four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek grew up together, and Chwalinska has guaranteed herself a break into the top 50 through her French Open run.
Shnaider, on the other hand, was more established on the tour, but there were a few firsts for her as well on Wednesday. She beat a reigning world No.1 for the first time and reached her first Grand Slam semi-final in the same match.
The wind played a significant role in both matches, with Chwalinska and Shnaider adapting to the conditions to secure their wins.
