Indian qualifier Riya Bhatia produced the biggest win of her career on Tuesday, stunning world No. 187 Xinyu Gao of China in the opening round of the WTA 125 Jingshan Tennis Open.
Ranked 499 in the world, Bhatia battled through three sets to secure a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory and advance to the round of 16. For the 27-year-old from New Delhi, this result marks her first win against a Top 200 player, a breakthrough moment after years of grinding on the ITF circuit and fighting through the challenges of form, injuries, and rankings.
Bhatia started strongly, using her aggressive baseline game to put Gao under immediate pressure. The opening set saw the Indian capitalise on her opponent’s errors, breaking at crucial moments to close it out 6-4.
But Gao, who has had a strong season in 2025 with wins over top players such as Beatriz Haddad Maia and Laura Siegemund, bounced back emphatically in the second set. The Chinese player raised her first-serve percentage and dominated the rallies, overwhelming Bhatia 6-1 to force a decider.
With the match finely poised, the third set tested both players’ nerves. Bhatia, showing remarkable composure for someone ranked outside the Top 400, struck early with a break and held her ground despite Gao’s late surge.
Mixing depth with consistency, she closed the set 6-3 to seal a memorable victory in two hours and three minutes.
Road to the Main Draw
This victory comes on the back of a determined run through qualifying. Bhatia began her campaign with a stroke of luck, receiving a walkover against compatriot Ankita Raina in the first qualifying round. In the second round, she faced experienced Chinese player Jia-Jing Lu, once ranked as high as 159 in the world (2018).
Bhatia prevailed in another three-set battle, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to secure her spot in the main draw. By defeating Lu, Bhatia not only booked her main-draw berth but also gained confidence ahead of her first-round clash against Gao. That momentum carried into her spirited display on Tuesday.
For Indian tennis followers, this result is nothing short of an upset. Gao, at 187, came into the tournament as a clear favourite on home soil, with recent form showing she could trouble much higher-ranked players. Bhatia, by contrast, has struggled for consistency in recent seasons, hovering outside the Top 400.
To beat a player of Gao’s calibre and in her home country is a massive morale boost. More importantly, it marks Bhatia’s entry into a new tier of competition. While she has won ITF titles in the past, cracking through at the WTA 125 level with a win against a Top 200 opponent signals a fresh chapter in her career.
Next Challenge: Jia-Jing Lu
Bhatia’s next test in Jingshan comes against another Chinese player, Jia-Jing Lu, currently ranked 349. At 35, Lu brings experience and resilience, having previously reached a career-high of 159. The two faced off just days earlier in qualifying, where Bhatia triumphed in three sets.
That familiarity gives the Indian a psychological edge, but Lu’s ability to adjust and the pressure of playing in front of a home crowd make the matchup unpredictable. Still, with the confidence of her win over Gao, Bhatia will step into the round of 16 believing she can extend her run.
Indian women’s tennis has been searching for breakthrough moments in the singles discipline. While Ankita Raina and Karman Thandi have carried the torch in recent years, results at the WTA level have been sporadic. Bhatia’s victory in Jingshan adds a fresh storyline to that narrative.
Her triumph is also a reminder of the depth of Indian women’s tennis, with multiple players capable of rising to the occasion. For Bhatia personally, this could be the turning point she has long worked toward a win that boosts her ranking, secures her more main-draw opportunities, and inspires belief that she belongs on the bigger stage.
The WTA 125 Jingshan Tennis Open continues to provide surprises, and Bhatia’s upset has already been one of the headlines of the opening rounds. Should she back it up with another win, the 27-year-old could well set herself up for a deep run, which would have major implications for her ranking and confidence heading into the 2026 season.
For now, though, she can savour a career-defining moment: an Indian qualifier ranked 499 in the world, standing tall against a Top 200 player on foreign soil.
In her own understated way, Riya Bhatia has shown that persistence and self-belief can lead to breakthrough moments the kind that can redefine careers and inspire a new generation of Indian players chasing their dreams on the international stage.
