FRENCH OPEN semi-finalist Maja Chwalinska said “pray for me” after admitting that she may not be able to afford a hotel room for the rest of the tournament.
Breakout star Chwalinska, 24, is aiming to emulate by winning a Grand Slam title as a qualifier.
Maja Chwalinska has had an incredible run at Roland Garros Credit: Getty
The Polish qualifier, 24, opened up on her accommodation situation Credit: Getty
Having entered qualifying at more than two weeks ago, the Pole wasn’t expecting to have to stick around in Paris for long.
But an incredible seven wins later, Chwalinska finds herself just one more triumph from the final.
The world No114 defeated No22 seed Anna Kalinskaya in the quarters.
Following that victory, Chwalinska said of her accommodation situation: “Well, I hope there are still some rooms available out there… or that I have enough money, you know?
“Because I know I earned quite a bit here, but that money doesn’t come immediately. We’ll see what happens, pray for me.”
Prior to her Roland Garros run, Chwalinska had earned $114,498 (£85,000) in prize money this year and $864,030 (£640k) in her career.
For reaching the semi-finals she has already guaranteed a prize cheque of €750,000 (£650k).
Reaching the final would pocket her a cool €1.4m (£1.2m), while winning the title would be worth €2.8m (£2.4m).
Chwalinska has been a breakout star of Roland Garros Credit: Getty
Chwalinska is set to take on Diana Shnaider this afternoon, after the Russian downed in the last eight.
Shnaider’s amazing win guaranteed a new Grand Slam champion at this year’s tournament, with other semi-finalists Marta Kostyuk and having also never triumphed in a Major before.
On her astonishing run, Chwalinska added: “I’m definitely surprised by everything that’s happening.
“If someone had told me before the tournament that I would reach the round of 16, I probably wouldn’t have believed it.
“I had never been in such a situation, and that’s why it’s hard to say that I expected something like this.
“All I tried to do was focus on each match because I knew all my opponents were going to be very tough.”
Mirra Andreeva and Marta Kostyuk met in the other semi-final Credit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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