Nine wins on, her latest – a 7-6(4), 6-4 triumph over world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka’s conqueror under the roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier – set a showdown against eighth seed Mirra Andreeva for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen.

“I mean, [it feels] like a dream, honestly. I don't know what's going on,” a tearful Chwalinska beamed. “I don't know what to say, I'm sorry. I'm just very happy.”

Having forged through three qualifying rounds to make just her third Grand Slam main draw, the world No.114 is now just one win shy of matching Emma Raducanu’s unlikely run to the 2021 US Open trophy as a qualifier.

Only when Shnaider’s final ball sailed long did the bandaged and triumphant challenger allow the emotions to flow as she covered her face and fell to her back.

The seemingly unflappable winner conceded the nerves weren’t necessarily as calm as they appeared.

“I don't know, I'm crazy sometimes also,” she said. “But I mean, I try to stay composed because I know that it's the best way for me. It helps me to play my best tennis. So that's what I'm trying to do, but inside there is a storm, believe me.”

With the Chatrier crowd urging on the underdog through a searching opening set, both women leaned heavily on angled drop shots, sneak net attacks and ample looped lefty angles desperate to gain the upper hand.

Locked at 5-all, the Pole stared down break points and defended like her life depended on it, drawing a first outburst of frustration from Shnaider as she stood her ground to hold after 10 minutes.

From 2-4 down in the tiebreak, after losing a tense 21-shot rally, Chwalinska never departed from her post-point routine – walk back, blow air on her fingers and reset.

It was in stark contrast to her increasingly flustered opponent who conceded the final five points and with it the opening set, which was as long as Andreeva’s entire one-hour, 16-minute win over Marta Kostyuk in the earlier semifinal.

For Shnaider, facing Chwalinska could not have been a greater contrast to tackling the blustery might of Sabalenka.

Smaller in stature, remarkably composed under pressure and relying more on variety and deftly placed lefty angles than sheer force, Chwalinska proved a nightmare subsequent opponent.

A rare though fleeting fist pump on her way to the immediate break to open the second set was the only hint the qualifier’s confidence was inching higher.

There was momentary concern when after grabbing her upper right leg, Chwalinska called the physio two games into the second set, before Shnaider later requested help for a lower back issue.

“I mean, not great, I won't lie,” Chwalinska said of her body. “It's so challenging to play against the best players in the world day by day, but it's a Grand Slam, so you just got to give your all and more. I'm not complaining at all.”

She never looked like fading. Just two games from the finish line, she and the crowd lifted another notch when an unplayable drop shot secured the critical break for 5-4 and, still refusing to reveal even a smidgeon of emotion, she purposefully strode to the chair as if she’d just held her opening serve in a first-round qualifying bout.

Successful on her first match point, it was a chance to exhale again, walk back and reset for the task of facing Andreeva for the first time.

“I played eight matches here already or more, so there are no secrets,” she said. “I watched Mirra a bit. They were playing before us, so I watched her game, and it was incredible, so it's just another great experience for me. I will for sure give my all. It's a Grand Slam final.

“Let me enjoy this moment for now. I just want to breathe a little, you know, enjoy it today and then just recover as much as I can and be able to give my all.”