LONDON — Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew produced one of the biggest surprises of the opening round at Wimbledon on Monday, rallying from a set down to defeat French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 after the Polish player suffered a painful ankle injury while holding match point.
Sawangkaew, ranked No. 164 in the world, claimed the first Grand Slam main-draw victory of her career after capitalizing on Chwalinska’s physical struggles following a dramatic turning point late in the second set.
Chwalinska, who reached the French Open final earlier this year, arrived at the All England Club with growing expectations after receiving a wild card following her breakthrough run at Roland Garros. The 24-year-old Pole was seeded No. 20 and appeared firmly in control after comfortably taking the opening set.
She looked on course for a routine victory when she served at 5-2 in the second set and held match point at 40-30. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Chwalinska slipped awkwardly near the baseline while attempting to finish the match, injuring her right ankle in the fall.
Although she chose to continue after receiving treatment, Chwalinska’s movement was visibly compromised. She struggled to cover the court with the same intensity, allowing Sawangkaew to break back before forcing a deciding third set.
The injury continued to hamper Chwalinska in the final set despite an encouraging start. She moved ahead 2-0 but was unable to maintain her advantage as Sawangkaew steadily took control of the contest.
The Thai qualifier won six consecutive games to complete the comeback, displaying composure under pressure against one of the tournament’s seeded players while taking advantage of Chwalinska’s limited mobility.
For Sawangkaew, the victory marks the biggest win of her professional career and her first success in a Grand Slam main draw, providing a memorable breakthrough on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
For Chwalinska, the defeat ended what had promised to be another deep run at a major after her impressive performance at Roland Garros, with concerns now turning to the severity of the ankle injury she sustained during the closing stages of the match.
