Qualifier's speech steals the show as loss sweetened by rankings rise

French Open runner-up Maja Chwalińska had her opponent Mirra Andreeva laughing during a gracious speech after a straight sets final.

Andreeva was ruthless in her 6-3, 6-2 win and left Chwalińska struggling for answers with her powerful shots.

Post-match, Chwalińska congratulated Andreeva before delivering her first cheeky comment.

“You’re so young and talented, it’s so annoying,” she said to the laughs of her opponent and crowd.

“Congrats to you, congrats to your team for an amazing job and I wish you all the best into the future.”

Chwalińska then thanked her team and family before a chant came from the Polish fans in Paris. From there followed another comment that had Andreeva blushing.

“I would like to thank all of you guys who came today, but not only today but these three weeks. Thank you for supporting, I really felt your love and I’m very grateful,” she said.

“I wish you could see a better match today but Mirra was just too good for me so I guess it’s her fault. I tried my best, I’m sorry.”

While Chwalińska was no doubt disappointed by her loss, the tournament has been an incredible rise for her after making it through three qualifiers.

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The 24-year-old is currently ranked 114 but is now projected to move up 93 places and will secure prizemoney of $1.96 million.

That windfall is made even crazier by the fact she struggled to afford accommodation prior to the event before a sponsor pitched in.

“I still think the story of Maja Chwalińska is incredible,” Jelena Dokic said on Nine.

“She’s going to rise to world No. 21 and we’ll see what happens from grass to hard court as well. I think she’s got an incredible game and demeanour as well, she fights so well.

“I know for her today will feel like a loss, a big loss but I really hope she realises what she’s been able to achieve and that she is a grand slam finalist forever.”