India’s 20-year-old Vaishnavi Adkar will join the main draw of the WTA Chennai Open 2025 as a lucky loser, following the withdrawal of New Zealand’s Lulu Sun.
The Pune-based youngster, ranked No. 661, becomes the fourth Indian in the main draw, joining Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi. This development comes after Adkar’s spirited run through qualifying ended earlier in the day, where she fell 2-6, 3-6 to France’s Astrid Lew Yan Foon, ranked No. 373. Despite the loss, fate smiled on the young Indian when a late withdrawal opened up a slot in the 32-player draw an opportunity she will now use to make her WTA 250 main-draw debut.
Adkar’s entry highlights India’s growing representation in the tournament, which begins Monday, October 27, at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai.
Adkar’s Grit and Reward
For Vaishnavi Adkar, the road to the Chennai main draw has been one of persistence and patience. After coming through two rounds of qualifying, she ran into the experienced Frenchwoman Lew Yan Foon in the final round. Though she fell short, her effort was enough to keep her in contention when the opportunity arose.
She will now face third seed Donna Vekic of Croatia an Olympic silver medallist and world No. 79 in a tough first-round clash. Vekic, a former top-20 player and 2023 Monterrey champion, will be one of the biggest names at the Chennai Open this year. For Adkar, it’s a test against experience and power and also a moment of learning on one of the biggest stages of her young career.
Qualifiers and Seeds Finalized
The final day of qualifying saw several international names secure their places in the main draw.
- Mei Yamaguchi (Japan) staged a stunning comeback to beat Australia’s Arina Rodionova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
- Arianne Hartono (Netherlands) cruised past Indonesia’s Priska Nugroho 6-2, 6-1.
- Caroline Werner (Germany) showed resilience, overturning a 0-5 deficit in the second set to defeat Thasaporn Naklo (Thailand) 6-3, 7-6(4).
All three will join the 32-player draw that includes established stars, former champions, and rising local talent.
The top seed for the tournament is Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey (World No. 69), while Britain’s Francesca Jones (World No. 74) and Croatia’s Donna Vekic (World No. 79) headline the top three. Also in contention is 2022 champion Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic, looking to reclaim her Chennai crown.
Indian Presence Brings Home Excitement
For Indian fans, this edition of the Chennai Open promises a strong home flavor with four Indian women featuring in the singles main draw:
- Sahaja Yamalapalli (WC)
- Shrivalli Bhamidipaty (WC)
- Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (WC)
- Vaishnavi Adkar (LL)
Yamalapalli, India’s top-ranked singles player, will be opening her campaign against one of the qualifiers. The Telangana native, who has made steady progress on the ITF Circuit, will be keen to make the most of her main-draw opportunity after consistent performances in domestic events. The spotlight will also be on the all-Indian clash between Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, which guarantees India at least one player in the second round. Shrivalli, a regular on the national circuit, brings experience, while 16-year-old Maaya one of India’s brightest juniors will be making her WTA main-draw debut on home soil.
The Chennai crowd will also be keen to see how Adkar fares against a top-100 opponent in Vekic, a test that will gauge her ability to handle higher-level competition.
The Global Mix: Experience Meets Youth
This year’s Chennai Open boasts a balanced draw, mixing seasoned campaigners with upcoming names.
- Francesca Jones (GBR) leads the bottom half as second seed.
- Lucia Bronzetti (ITA) and Kimberly Birrell (AUS) round out the top eight seeds.
- Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE), who lifted the title in 2022 at just 17, returns as an unseeded threat a reminder that youth often thrives in Chennai’s humid, hard-court conditions.
Other notable entrants include Japan’s Nao Hibino, Storm Hunter from Australia, and Maria Timofeeva of Uzbekistan all players known for their versatility on faster courts.
The WTA Chennai Open 2025 marks the return of elite women’s tennis to Tamil Nadu, organized by the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and the WTA Tour. With a total prize purse of $275,094, the event provides a vital platform for Indian players to test themselves against international opposition while earning valuable ranking points.
WTA Chennai Open 2025 Preview: Fresh Faces, New Energy as Women’s Tennis Returns to India
The tournament, which runs from October 27 to November 2, is expected to feature high-quality tennis under humid coastal conditions that often reward endurance and adaptability.
Singles Main Draw — Indian Matches to Watch
As the Chennai Open 2025 kicks off, all eyes will be on the home stars:
Sahaja Yamalapalli (IND) vs Priska LL, Yamalapalli opens her campaign seeking a strong start against an international opponent.
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty (IND) vs Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (IND) The all-Indian first-round battle that ensures a local presence in Round 2.
Vaishnavi Adkar (IND) vs (3) Donna Vekic (CRO), a dream opportunity for Adkar to face one of the world’s top players as a lucky loser entrant.
With home support, familiar conditions, and rising self-belief, India’s quartet will aim to make this a memorable edition for Indian tennis fans at the SDAT Stadium.
