Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen stunned by Poland youngster in major French Open upset

French Open 2026: Maja Chwalinska produced a major Roland Garros upset by defeating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-4, 6-0 in the first round, storming into the second round on her main-draw debut in the tournament.

In Short

• Maja Chwalinska defeated Zheng Qinwen in straight sets
• Chwalinska made her French Open main draw debut on Monday
• Chwalinska had to come through the qualifiers before beating Zheng

Poland’s Maja Chwalinska delivered one of the standout shocks of the French Open by stunning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in a first-round upset that sent ripples through Roland Garros. On Monday, May 25, Chwalinska won 6-4, 6-0, completing a dominant finish that saw her storm into the second round.

Playing in her maiden main-draw appearance at the clay-court Slam, the World No.116, who had to battle through qualifying just to reach the main stage, produced a fearless, high-quality performance to dismantle the Olympic gold medalist in straight sets.

French Open 2026 Day 2 Updates

What made the victory even more remarkable was not just the opponent, but the manner of execution. Zheng, ranked inside the world’s top 60 and widely regarded as one of the most dangerous players on clay, was overwhelmed by Chwalinska’s consistency, depth, and relentless court coverage.

The Polish qualifier, who arrived in Paris outside the top 100, has been in irresistible form throughout the tournament. She has not dropped a set since the start of qualifying, carrying that momentum seamlessly into the main draw and continuing her perfect run against one of the sport’s biggest names.

Zheng, who won Olympic gold on these very courts in 2024, entered the match as the overwhelming favourite but was unable to impose her rhythm as Chwalinska dictated from the baseline and absorbed pressure with remarkable composure.

The result marks one of the most significant breakthroughs of Chwalinska’s career, elevating her status from qualifier to giant-killer in a single afternoon at Roland Garros.

She will next lock horns with the winner of the match between Germany’s Tatjana Maria and Belgium’s Elise Mertens.

PAOLINI, SWIATEK ADVANCE

Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini have both powered into the second round of the French Open with commanding opening-round performances, reinforcing their status as strong contenders on the Paris clay.

Four-time Roland Garros champion Swiatek made a ruthless start to her campaign, sweeping aside Australian wildcard Emerson Jones 6–1, 6–2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The Polish world No. 3, who has dominated at Roland Garros over the years, once again showcased her trademark heavy topspin and relentless baseline control to overwhelm her young opponent. Swiatek’s experience on the Paris clay was evident as she dictated rallies from the outset and never allowed Jones to settle into rhythm.

She now advances to the second round, where she will face Czech player Sara Bejlek, another rising talent who will look to test the defending powerhouse on her favourite surface. Swiatek, however, remains the player to beat in Paris, having lost only a handful of matches at Roland Garros across the last several seasons.

Meanwhile, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini booked her place in the second round after a confident straight-sets win over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, taking one hour and 40 minutes to seal a 7–5, 6–3 victory.

Paolini now advances to the next round, where she will face Argentina’s Solana Sierra, who produced one of the early shocks of the tournament by defeating British No. 1 Emma Raducanu in the opening round.

- Ends