Maja Chwalinska won her first career title on October 18, 2026, defeating Sonay Kartal 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to claim the Dongfeng · Voyah Wuhan Open. The victory at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center lifts the Polish player to a projected career-high No. 11 in the PIF WTA Rankings.
I feel like I still don’t realize that I won,
Chwalinska said following the match. The 25-year-old captured the WTA 1000 trophy after a match lasting 2 hours and 43 minutes, marking a significant peak in a season that began with the player ranked around 140.
CHAMPION IN WUHAN 🏆Maja Chwalinska seals the victory and claims her first WTA 1000 title after defeating Kartal in three sets 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.#dongfengvoyahwuhanopen pic.twitter.com/UZOeMbcJKY
— https://x.com/WTA/status/2111810790034423894
The Three-Set Battle Against Sonay Kartal
The final began with Kartal dominating the first set 6-2. Chwalinska admitted her energy levels were low early on, and she struggled as Kartal saved four break points in a single service game during the second set.
But also, Sonay played amazing. I think she didn’t let me play my best tennis, so all credit to her for not letting me play [well]. I feel like I gradually started to play much better, much more aggressive, I would say.
Maja Chwalinska, via WTA Tennis
Chwalinska eventually forced a decider by winning the second set 6-4. In the final set, she secured a 3-2 lead and utilized a combination of down-the-line winners and a patented drop lob combo to win 6-2. Kartal, who had been away from the game for six months due to a back injury, is expected to jump 121 spots in the rankings to No. 49 despite the loss.
What a MOMENT for Maja 🤯Maja Chwalinska claims her maiden WTA 1000 title in Wuhan!#dongfengvoyahwuhanopen pic.twitter.com/o0F3gmaF5l
— https://x.com/WTA/status/2111815116924788800
A Historic Run Through the Wuhan Draw
Chwalinska’s path to the title involved several rallies and high-profile victories. She survived a second-round match against Marie Bouzkova after trailing by a set and defeated both No. 10 seed Iva Jovic and former World No. 3 Maria Sakkari.
The semifinals featured the first all-Polish matchup at a WTA-level event in the Open Era. Chwalinska defeated Iga Swiatek in straight sets, having saved two set points and won the final four games of the first set after trailing 5-3.
- She is the first left-hander to win a WTA 1000 title since Petra Kvitova did so in Miami in 2023.
- She is the third Polish player to win a WTA 1000 crown, following Agnieszka Radwanska and Iga Swiatek.
- She is the fourth player since 2009 to win her first career title at the WTA 1000 level, joining Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu, and Victoria Mboko.
Brad Gilbert on Chwalinska’s Momentum
American coach Brad Gilbert, who has worked with Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi, noted that Chwalinska found her game during the Asian tournaments. Gilbert observed that after a strong showing at Roland Garros, the player won only one match before traveling to Asia, where she subsequently reached the semifinals in Singapore before dominating in Wuhan.
While Gilbert acknowledged that several early eliminations created opportunities in the tournament, he emphasized that Chwalinska was the one who successfully capitalized on them.
Overcoming Post-French Open Struggles
The Wuhan triumph follows a volatile period for the 25-year-old. Chwalinska described the time following her breakthrough at the French Open as difficult, stating that people were rough toward her, which took a personal toll.
I started the season, I think, ranked like 140 and my goal was to be Top 100 this year. I think I did a pretty good job. And I’m very grateful for that.
Maja Chwalinska, via WTA Tennis
Having started the week at No. 22, Chwalinska now looks toward her next performance in Tokyo.