Maja Chwalinska Upsets Defending Champion at Singapore Open

SINGAPORE – Maja Chwalinska showcased remarkable agility and precision on the Centre Court at the OCBC Arena, dominating defending champion Elise Mertens with a decisive 6-2, 6-2 victory in the quarter-finals of the Singapore Tennis Open on September 25.

A Match to Remember

The 24-year-old Polish player completed her match in under 90 minutes, demonstrating a remarkable ability to read the game and deliver sharp strokes. This performance is part of a significant turnaround for Chwalinska, who has faced challenges throughout the year, including an ankle injury and a period of poor form.

“This year was just an emotional roller coaster, really,” stated Chwalinska, currently ranked No. 25 in the world. “I had some tough weeks. I kept working on myself and stayed patient, and I believe it’s paying off now. I feel great here.”

Unstoppable Momentum

Chwalinska, who has yet to drop a set in this tournament, entered the quarter-finals after securing wins against Rebecca Sramkova and Oleksandra Oliynykova, with scores of 6-4, 6-2, and 6-0, 6-1 respectively.

Reflecting on her performance against Mertens, she said, “Elise is such a solid, experienced player, so I aimed to bring my best game. I focused on my match goals, and I’m happy with the result.” However, she modestly pointed out that there’s always room for improvement.

A Journey of Resilience

Chwalinska has now overcome Mertens twice this year, including a standout 6-4, 6-0 win at the French Open, where she made an impressive run to the finals before falling to 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva.

“After the French Open, it was wild with so many emotions. I couldn’t prepare for what happened next,” she remarked. “Wimbledon was a setback with my ankle injury, and I needed time to regain confidence in my body.” In the stretch between the French Open and the US Open, Chwalinska recorded only one win against five losses.

“Since I move a lot on the court, keeping my ankle healthy is crucial. It’s been liberating to regain my match rhythm here, and I’m eager for the next challenge,” she expressed enthusiastically.

Upcoming Challenges

Chwalinska is set to face Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the semi-finals after Fernandez's impressive comeback victory against top seed Andreeva, winning 6-2, 7-5.

“No matter who I face next, it’s going to be a great battle,” Chwalinska stated. “With so many top players in the tournament, bringing my A game remains essential.”

Fernandez, currently ranked No. 31, expressed confidence ahead of her semi-final match after her recent encounter with Andreeva, where she noted the importance of trusting herself during critical moments. “I knew it would be tough, but I had solutions to beat her,” she said.

Although Fernandez initially appeared set for an easier win after leading 5-2 in the second set, she faced unexpected pressure from Andreeva, who fought back to narrow the gap. “At 5-2, I thought, ‘Oh my God! What just happened?’ I became overly focused on the score instead of the game plan,” she admitted. “But I managed to calm down by returning to my training routines.”

Other Quarter-Final Highlights

In other quarter-final action, Tatiana Prozorova triumphed over Wang Xinyu in a grueling match that lasted 181 minutes, winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. Prozorova also recently played two lengthy matches against Alexandra Eala and Sofia Costoulas.

In the women’s doubles quarter-finals, Prozorova teamed up with Sofya Lansere but had to retire while trailing Miyu Kato and Ellen Perez. Unfortunately, Prozorova was hit in the eye by a ball during the match.

As the competition intensifies, all eyes will be on Chwalinska as she aims for further success in Singapore.