Mirra Andreeva has defeated surprise finalist Maja Chwalińska 6-3, 6-2 to become the youngest French Open champion in more than three decades.
The 19-year-old Russian delivered on her promise on the biggest stage of all, claiming her first grand slam title and joining the select group of active major champions led by players such as Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.
Andreeva is the youngest women’s singles champion at Roland-Garros since Monica Seles won her third consecutive title in Paris in 1992.
“I’ll be honest, I’ve done a lot of visualisations before,” Andreeva said.
“Not just this tournament, but I’ve had dreams, I’ve had a lot of thoughts on how it’s going to happen, if it’s going to happen, when it’s going to happen, where.
“I would say the feeling in real life is so much better, obviously, than in your dreams … looking at this trophy and realising that this is actually true, and I can call myself a grand slam champion.”
Mirra Andreeva drops to her knees after she converted on match point. (Getty Images: Clive Brunskill)
Chwalińska was only the second woman in the professional era to come through qualifying and reach a major final.
While her remarkable run captured the imagination of the Roland-Garros crowds, the final belonged to a player who increasingly looks equipped to shape the sport’s future.
As the 24-year-old Pole struggled to reproduce the tactical brilliance that had carried her through nine successive victories, Andreeva grew stronger with every game.
She imposed her power and left little doubt a new force has arrived in the women’s game.
“These feelings are extra special. Now I’m already thinking of how I’m going to prepare for the grass season,” Andreeva said.
“This thing is a bit addictive, and I really want to do my best to experience all of this for the second time.”
Nervous start
The opening set was a tense affair, with both players struggling to cope with the pressure of their first major final.
Chwalińska survived a marathon opening service game in which she saved three break points with a mixture of delicate drop shots and bold winners.
Neither player, however, could establish control.
Breaks were traded repeatedly, with eighth seed Andreeva surrendering one service game with two double faults, while Chwalińska’s forehand often let her down.
At 3-3, Andreeva began finding greater depth and weight off her wings, pushing Chwalińska behind the baseline and growing in confidence, even smiling after netting an easy overhead smash.
Maja Chwalińska could only manage to win five games against Mirra Andreeva. (Getty Images: Matthew Stockman)
She broke for 4-3 when Chwalińska netted a sliced backhand, consolidated for 5-3 and then capitalised on another nervous service game to claim the opening set.
Andreeva carried the momentum into the second, breaking immediately and again for a 4-0 lead as Chwalińska struggled to contain her opponent’s relentless pressure.
Chwalińska briefly threatened a comeback, recovering one break and reducing the deficit to 5-2, but Andreeva remained unmoved.
She sealed the biggest victory of her young career with a crisp crosscourt backhand winner on her opponent’s serve.
“It’ll be different, for sure, but I think and I hope I’ll adapt. I’ll definitely work hard,” Chwalińska said.
“I need to continue to stay in the present and give my all to be a better player every day.”
Despite her below-par performance in the final, Chwalińska will now jump to 21st in the world rankings.
Reuters
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