Mirra Andreeva defeated Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets to win her maiden Grand Slam championship in the French Open final on Saturday.
The 19-year-old Russian became the youngest Roland Garros women’s singles champion since Monica Seles, who was 18 at the time, won her third consecutive title in Paris in 1992 after defeating Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2.
Andreeva became the first player—male or female—born after 2005 to win a Grand Slam with her first major title. The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen will now be the focal point of Andreeva’s growing collection of trophies, which currently includes two WTA 1000 titles.
“I’ve been watching Roland Garros on TV since I was very, very young, so it’s also a big dream of mine to win this tournament and I honestly cannot believe that I’m holding this trophy right now,” AFP quoted Andreeva as saying on court, before thanking her team and notably her psychologist.
“Congrats to Maja for these amazing three weeks, passing through qualifiers, winning so many matches, beating so many great players.”
Chwalinska’s incredible run, which began in qualifying and saw her win nine matches in the French capital to become the first qualifier to reach the final in the Open era, came to an end with her defeat at the final hurdle.
“I will definitely not forget these three weeks,” she said. “Paris will stay forever in my heart.”
The world number 114’s career will now be on a new level, though, as she will rise to the 21st spot in the rankings and be guaranteed to play frequently in the biggest tennis tournaments.
“Congrats to Mirra, you’re such an incredible player. You’re so young and talented, it’s so annoying,” Chwalinska said.
“Congrats to you, congrats to your team for an amazing job, and I wish you all the best in the future. I wish (the spectators) could see a better match today, but Mirra was just too good for me, so I guess it’s her fault.”
On the first point of the match, Chwalinska showed signs of nervousness by sending two serves directly into the net.
The match began with four consecutive breaks of service as both players appeared to be struggling with the scenario, which was made worse by the windy conditions on center court.
During their initial meeting, Chwalinska and Andreeva held each other while they proceeded to question each other. As she demonstrated the pair’s increased consistency to win the following three games, the Russian dug in and regained the upper hand.
The Pole had the opportunity to quickly eliminate that advantage thanks to two mistakes made by Andreeva and an impossible drop shot, but the teenager showed great strength to maintain a tough hold, and at 3-0, it appeared that Chwalinska would lose. Andreeva then advanced to the brink by rattling through the next two games.
Chwalinska, however, was unflappable and held to make it 5-1 before breaking Andreeva during the match’s final serve. The new world number six, however, was unflappable and won the biggest award of her young career in the very next game.
She broke her instructor Conchita Martinez’s 2000 Roland Garros runner-up record with a backhand victory that sent her crumpling to her knees. Even though the award ceremony was held over seven years prior to Andreeva’s birth, she was aware that Mary Pierce, the winner of that duel, was present.
“I don’t know if I should thank you, Mary, as you beat my coach here in the final. But I’m joking of course, thank you so much!” she quipped.
