Diana Shnaider full of praise for Maja Chwalinska, proud of semi-final run at French Open

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/shnaider-diana/028BdVOj/"]Shnaider[/a] fell [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/chwalinska-m-OIxOD54s/shnaider-d-028BdVOj/?mid=6J1JWr7N"]7‑6(4), 6‑4[/a] ‌and was denied the opportunity to face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/andreeva-mirra/lI6fOOat/"]Andreeva[/a], ‌with whom she bagged the women's doubles silver medal at ‌the 2024 Paris Olympics, though her experience could still ‌prove useful to her Russian compatriot.[/p][p]"[b]First of all, she moves incredibly on the court. She covers a lot (of ground) and ‌reads the game well. Even if you ⁠think you won the ‌point, she's there[/b]," Shnaider told reporters about the challenge posed ​by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/chwalinska-maja/OIxOD54s/"]Chwalinska[/a].[/p][embed guid="5a88fced-726c-45ed-be80-f000745eaa0d" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OcykPJ9qVk" social-type="youtube" /][p]"[b]She's returning that ball, but not just like, returning where you can attack, but she's ​returning it in uncomfortable (positions) for you, so you need to start the whole point literally from the beginning, ⁠building it up ​again[/b].[/p][p]"[b]A lot of variety, a lot of spin. With a lefty forehand, there's spin. And with the backhand, there's a lot of slicing. There's a low ball coming, and ‌then obviously the drop shots worked well[/b].[/p][p]"[b]I feel like her game style suits claycourts ... even if you're attacking her, she can switch the point, and all of a sudden, she's not defending but attacking[/b]."[/p][p]Despite falling short in the semi-finals, Shnaider said she was delighted with her run at the French Open.[/p][embed guid="986a302d-234b-4f79-b2b2-af5f6e52efce" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niHd12UYVrY" social-type="youtube" /][p]"[b]Definitely a great two weeks. I'm very proud of myself, with what I ‌achieved here. A lot of new things, new goals[/b]," ​Shnaider said.[/p][p]"[b]Overall, the match was very tough. All ‌kudos to Maja. She played amazing. I feel like both of us played some really good tennis. It was a very hard battle[/b].[/p][p]"[b]I tried my best, and tried different things. I left it all ⁠out there. I'm proud ⁠of the way I ‌played and [/b]fought."[/p]