Maja Chwalinska Advances to WTA 1000 Final After Defeating Iga Swiatek

Chwalinska initially broke Swiatek’s serve in the opening set, but Swiatek responded by breaking back and taking a 5-3 lead. Despite facing two set points in the ninth game, Chwalinska persevered. Swiatek then took a medical timeout for a leg injury, which seemed to hamper her performance upon returning. Chwalinska capitalized, winning 10 of the following 11 games to secure a 7-5, 6-1 victory in two hours and eight minutes.

This win levels their head-to-head record at 1-1, following Swiatek’s earlier victory in their only previous meeting at an ITF event in 2016. Swiatek expressed concerns about her quad injury during the post-match press conference, noting that she had managed it throughout the tournament but found it too difficult to continue during the semifinal.

Chwalinska described the match as intensely physical, especially in the first set, and credited her fighting spirit for the win. She stated, "I really fought for every single ball, and that was crucial because I made her put in extra effort." She also expressed hope for Swiatek’s recovery and success at the WTA Finals.

The victory marks a significant milestone for Chwalinska, as it is her first win against a top-10 opponent and the biggest win of her career by ranking. She advances to her second Tour-level final, having previously reached the French Open final earlier this season.

Chwalinska, now with 17 Tour-level wins in 2026, has significantly improved her performance since previous seasons, where she won only four matches.

The final on Sunday will be the first career meeting between Chwalinska and Kartal. Both players are making their debut in the WTA 1000 finals, a notable achievement since the tournament’s inception in 2014. Kartal anticipates a tough match ahead, emphasizing her excitement for the challenge and the opportunity to compete at this level.