Shnaider, Chwalinska Reach Last Eight, Madison Keys Upset
Diana Shnaider secured her first Grand Slam quarter-final appearance by defeating Madison Keys, while qualifier Maja Chwalinska continued her dream run at Roland Garros. Both players advanced to the French Open quarter-finals and moved a step closer to the semi-finals.
Diana Shnaider and Maja Chwalinska continued their impressive French Open campaigns on Monday, securing places in the quarter-finals with memorable victories at Roland Garros against Madison Keys.
Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider reached the last eight of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time after defeating Madison Keys in three sets. Shnaider claimed the opening set before Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, responded strongly to level the match. However, the Russian regained control in the deciding set, racing through it in just 26 minutes to complete a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 victory.
Reflecting on the achievement, Shnaider said, “It’s definitely a huge moment for me, I’m super happy.” She added, “I’m super proud of myself for being for the first time in the quarter-finals.”
The French Open quarter-finals appearance surpasses her previous best Grand Slam result, which came with a fourth-round finish at the 2024 US Open. She will next face either Aryna Sabalenka or Naomi Osaka for a place in the semi-finals. Keys’ departure also leaves Sabalenka and Osaka as the only remaining Grand Slam singles champions in either draw.
Meanwhile, Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska extended her remarkable run in Paris with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over France’s Diane Parry on Court Philippe Chatrier. Ranked world number 114, Chwalinska ended French hopes in the singles competition and advanced to her first French Open quarter-finals.
“I didn’t expect it for sure, coming in starting the tournament. I’m just very, very grateful to be here,” said Chwalinska.
The 24-year-old had won only one match across her previous two Grand Slam appearances before arriving in Paris. She will now face Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya on Wednesday, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. Speaking about her next challenge, Chwalinska said, “She’s one of the top players in the world. No one knows me, to be honest, so definitely a very challenging one, like every match here.”
Chwalinska’s breakthrough marks the first time since 2020 that a qualifier has reached the women’s French Open quarter-finals, underlining her remarkable rise at this year’s tournament.
Which player do you think has the better chance of reaching the French Open semi-finals from here?
