Teenager Mirra Andreeva captured her first Grand Slam title on Saturday, defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open women's singles final. The 19-year-old became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova triumphed at Roland Garros in 2014.
Andreeva is the youngest player to win the French Open women's singles title since Monica Seles, who was 18 when she claimed her third straight crown in 1992. Chwalinska, ranked 114th in the world, aimed to become the first qualifier to win the French Open, but Andreeva controlled the match and sealed victory with a backhand cross-court winner on her first championship point before dropping to her knees on the clay in celebration.
The final capped a tournament in which Andreeva continued her rise that began as a 15-year-old at the 2023 Madrid Open, where she became the third-youngest player to win a main-draw match at a WTA 1000 event and reached the quarterfinals.
Andreeva has competed without the Russian flag and under neutral status due to the war in Ukraine. In the semifinals, she defeated Marta Kostyuk, who did not shake her hand, continuing a practice followed by Ukrainian players against Russian opponents since 2022. By winning the title, Andreeva surpassed the achievement of her coach, former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, who finished runner-up at the 2000 French Open. Former champion Mary Pierce, who beat Martinez in that final, presented the trophy to Andreeva.
The match was played under mostly sunny skies, though strong winds affected both players in their first Grand Slam final. Chwalinska started nervously, double-faulting on the opening point, but became the first to hold serve in the fifth game. However, Andreeva adapted better to the conditions and found answers to Chwalinska's mix of spin, drop shots, and variation.
The tournament concludes on Sunday with the men's singles final between Alexander Zverev and Flavio Cobolli.
