Sabalenka Advances to Roland Garros Semifinal, Chwalinska Pulls Off a Sensation. At Roland Garros 2026, Aryna Sabalenka confidently made her way to the semifinals, while Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska reached the last four for the first time in her career. The tournament is marked by surprising results and challenging weather conditions.
Roland Garros 2026 continues in Paris, where new women's singles semifinalists have emerged. Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one and the only remaining Grand Slam champion in the tournament, defeated Russian player Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals. The match was played in strong winds, which noticeably complicated the game for both athletes. Despite a number of errors, Sabalenka took the first set 6-3, displaying powerful strokes and versatility from the baseline. Shnaider tried to turn the match around with net play and several breaks, but the Belarusian maintained her lead and advanced to the next round.
At the same time, Polish tennis player Maja Chwalinska, who started in the qualifiers and is ranked 114th in the world, produced one of the tournament's biggest upsets. In her quarterfinal, she defeated Russian Anna Kalinskaya 7-6, 6-3. This is Chwalinska's first appearance in a Grand Slam semifinal—she had never advanced beyond the second round at this level before. Against 22nd seed Kalinskaya, the Pole stood out for her tactical flexibility, ability to use spin, and composure in key moments. Kalinskaya fought until the end but was unable to withstand her opponent's pressure.
In the men's draw, Alexander Zverev advanced to the semifinals after defeating Rafael Khodar. Among the women, another semifinal debutant is Marta Kostyuk, who claimed victory over Elina Svitolina. This year’s Roland Garros has been marked by a large number of unexpected exits of favorites, making the race for the title as open as possible. According to russpain.com, Zverev is now regarded as the main contender for his first Grand Slam title.
The tournament is taking place amid changeable weather, which affects the style and dynamics of matches. The windy conditions in Paris have been a challenge for many players, forcing them to adapt to the ball’s unpredictable bounce and adjust their tactics. Participants in other major sporting events have found themselves in a similar situation: for instance, a quick goal recently shaped the course of the BetPlay League final in Barranquilla, as detailed in the article about the start of the final between Junior and Atlético Nacional.
For reference: Roland Garros is the second Grand Slam tournament of the season, traditionally held on the clay courts of Paris. In 2026, the event again attracted the attention of not only fans but also experts closely following the progress of young players and surprising results. Chwalinska’s quarterfinal win could become a starting point for her further career, while Sabalenka’s success confirms her status as the leader of women’s tennis at the moment.
