Mirra Andreeva claimed her first Grand Slam title on Saturday, defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets to win the French Open women’s singles crown.
The 19-year-old Russian prevailed 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest Roland Garros champion since Monica Seles, who won her third consecutive title in Paris at the age of 18 in 1992.
By capturing her maiden major, Andreeva also became the first player — male or female — born after 2005 to win a Grand Slam singles title.
The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen now takes pride of place in Andreeva’s rapidly growing trophy collection, which already includes two WTA 1000 titles.
For Chwalinska, defeat in the final ended a remarkable run that began in qualifying. The world No. 114 won nine matches in Paris to become the first qualifier in the Open Era to reach the French Open women’s singles final.
Despite the loss, the 23-year-old’s breakthrough fortnight is set to transform her career. Chwalinska is projected to rise to No. 21 in the world rankings, securing direct entry into many of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
True grit
Chwalinska showed signs of early nerves, sending two serves straight into the net on the opening point of the match. Andreeva eventually capitalised, breaking serve at the end of a gruelling seven-minute opening game.
The Pole responded immediately, however, breaking back when Andreeva sent a backhand long after an extended rally featuring determined defensive play from both players.
With blustery conditions making life difficult on Court Philippe-Chatrier, both women struggled to settle. Two further consecutive breaks followed as the tension of the occasion became evident.
Chwalinska finally steadied herself with a love hold to move ahead 3-2. She brought the crowd to its feet with a display of variety and touch, drawing Andreeva forward with a drop shot before finishing the point with a perfectly weighted lob.
Andreeva responded impressively. The Russian held serve for the first time in the match, patiently constructing points before firing a winner down the line and sealing the game with an ace.
From there, she began to assert control. Taking advantage of a Chwalinska service game disrupted by the swirling wind, Andreeva secured another break as spectators around the court battled flying hats and gusting conditions.
A comfortable hold followed before Andreeva wrapped up the opening set, striking a superb crosscourt backhand winner to break serve once more and take a one-set lead.
The momentum continued at the start of the second set as Chwalinska’s error count increased, allowing Andreeva to secure an early break.
Although the Pole immediately had opportunities to recover the deficit, Andreeva demonstrated impressive composure under pressure, battling through a difficult service game to establish a commanding 3-0 advantage.
The Russian then swept through the next two games to move within touching distance of the title.
To her credit, Chwalinska refused to surrender. She held serve to reduce the deficit to 5-1 and then produced a late break as Andreeva attempted to serve out the match.
Any hopes of a comeback were short-lived.
Andreeva responded emphatically, breaking again in the following game to seal the biggest victory of her young career.
A stunning backhand winner on championship point sent the teenager collapsing to her knees in celebration as she secured her first Grand Slam title and surpassed the achievement of her coach, Conchita Martinez, who finished runner-up at Roland Garros in 2000.
AFP
