Her opponent is simply soaking it all in. With a world ranking of No.114, Chwalinska has not had the chance to play in many Grand Slam events (this is her third) and as for reaching the final of one of them, that was a distant dream. That, though, may be her strength today.
When things go wrong for Andreeva, she frets. She looks as if her world is about to come crashing down around her. She shouts at her coach, Conchita Martinez (who sometimes shouts back). She looks flustered.
➡️ Read: Martinez proud of Uno champion Andreeva’s evolution
When things go wrong for Chwalinska, she shrugs with a wry smile and a look on her face that says “oh, bother – that was supposed to hit the line”. And then goes back to what she was doing before. No pressure. No drama. Just focus. And it works.
The Pole is not particularly big or strong (she stands 5ft 5ins or 1.64m) but her biggest weapon is her ability to read her opponent’s game. She is a lefty with guile and court craft, one who loves to vary the pace, use the drop shot, play her backhand with slice or with power (she can do both) and all of that can befuddle anyone.
