'Nobody knows me' - qualifier Chwalinska into last eight

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Maja Chwalinska is the first qualifier to reach the women's singles quarter-finals at Roland Garros since Nadia Podoroska and Martina Trevisan in 2020 By Harry Poole BBC Sport journalist Published 41 minutes ago "Nobody knows me, to be honest." But Poland's Maja Chwalinska is perhaps only a few matches away from that changing forever. The 24-year-old has become the first qualifier to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open women's singles in six years after beating French player Diane Parry 6-3 6-2. Having come through three qualifying rounds to secure her main-draw debut at Roland Garros, a beaming Chwalinska shook her head in disbelief after completing her victory on Court Philippe Chatrier. Prior to this tournament, the world number 114 had won two tour-level main-draw matches on clay in her career, and registered just one win - at Wimbledon in 2022 - in her only two Slam appearances. But she has won all seven of her matches at Roland Garros since qualifying began two weeks ago, claiming six of those in straight sets, and is projected to break into the world's top 50. "I didn't expect it for sure. I'm just very grateful to be here," Chwalinska told the crowd. Williams, 44, to return to action in Queen's doubles Published 3 hours ago Ukraine duo vying for French Open history Published 5 hours ago No previous French Open champions left - who will seize chance? Published 19 hours ago Chwalinska took a break from tennis during 2021, amid a struggle with depression, and did not know whether she would return to the sport. Now, she could become only the second qualifier in the Open era to reach the Roland Garros women's semi-finals, after Nadia Podoroska in 2020. First, she must overcome Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya for a place in the last four, where world number one Aryna Sabalenka could await. On facing Kalinskaya, Chwalinska said: "She is one of the top players in the world. Nobody knows me, to be honest. "So definitely, a very challenging one again - like every match here. I need to play my best tennis to win." Kalinskaya triumphed in a deciding-set 10-point tie-break against Russian-born Austrian player Anastasia Potapova, eventually taking a rollercoaster match 6-4 2-6 7-6 (10-7) after two hours and 49 minutes. The 27-year-old is through to only her second major quarter-final after twice breaking back as Potapova served for the match, and recovering from a 4-1 deficit in the super tie-break. American world number 19 Madison Keys is out after falling to a three-set loss to Russian 25th seed Diana Shnaider. The 2025 Australian Open champion exited 6-3 3-6 6-0 against the 22-year-old Shnaider, who is through to the last eight at a Slam for the first time. Shnaider awaits the winner of the night session match between world number one Aryna Sabalenka and four-time major winner Naomi Osaka. Related topics Tennis More on this story Live scores, results and order of play Get tennis news sent straight