Indian tennis had a day to celebrate at the SDAT Stadium as Sahaja Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, the country’s top two ranked women’s singles players, recorded their first-ever WTA 250 main draw victories at the Chennai Open 2025.
After two days disrupted by rain, the sun finally broke through, shining on a day of milestones for Indian women’s tennis.
For both Sahaja and Shrivalli, these wins marked significant personal and professional breakthroughs emblematic of the growing strength of India’s women’s tennis circuit, which continues to produce players capable of competing at the top level. Celebrating her 25th birthday, Sahaja Yamalapalli scripted a near-perfect performance to outplay Indonesia’s lucky loser Priska Nugroho 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets. The confident win was a fitting gift to herself and a clear reflection of her steady rise over the past two seasons.
Chennai Open 2025: Sahaja Yamalapalli storms into Round of 16 with commanding win
Sahaja, known for her aggressive baseline play, dictated the tempo throughout, using her heavy forehand and quick movement to close out points efficiently. With this victory, she advanced to the second round, where she will face third seed Donna Vekic, the reigning Olympic silver medallist from Croatia. Vekic had earlier dispatched India’s Vaishnavi Adkar 6-1, 6-2 in her opener.
For Sahaja, who has spent the past few years transitioning from the U.S. college system into the WTA circuit, the win represents a major confidence boost. It also highlights the increasing depth of Indian women’s tennis, with more players now breaking through the main-draw barrier at higher-tier events.
Shrivalli Overcomes Maaya Revathi in All-Indian Clash
In one of the most anticipated matches of the day, India No. 1 Shrivalli Bhamidipaty defeated 16-year-old wildcard Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi 6-1, 6-4 in a commanding display of experience over youth. Shrivalli began strongly, dominating the rallies and using her sharp serve placement to keep the teenager on the defensive. While Maaya fought back in the second set, showcasing glimpses of her immense potential, Shrivalli’s composure and tactical awareness ensured she closed the match in straight sets.
The Hyderabad-based Shrivalli, who has been steadily climbing the rankings since her breakout performances on the ITF circuit, will next face seventh seed Kimberly Birrell of Australia, who came through a tough three-set battle against Czech Nikola Bartunkova. For Indian tennis fans, the all-Indian contest between Shrivalli and Maaya symbolized the healthy pipeline of young talent emerging across the country.
It also marked the first time two Indian women had won main draw matches at a WTA 250 event in the same edition.
Upsets and Withdrawals Mark Opening Rounds
Elsewhere in the tournament, the first round saw several surprises and upsets. Second seed Francesca Jones of Great Britain was forced to retire in the third set against Japanese qualifier Mei Yamaguchi due to heat illness. Fifth seed Lucia Bronzetti of Italy also crashed out, losing to Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa 6-7, 6-0, 6-2.
Top seed Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey held firm in a competitive match, defeating Tatiana Prozorova 7-5, 6-4, while fourth seed Janice Tjen battled through a three-setter against German qualifier Caroline Werner to advance 6-4, 6-7, 6-2. Among the other notable winners were 2022 Chennai Open champion Linda Fruhvirtova, who eased past French qualifier Astrid Lew Yan Foon 6-2, 6-2, and Diane Parry of France, who scored a routine 6-2, 6-0 win over Thailand’s Thasaporn Naklo.
There was more to cheer for the home crowd as two all-Indian doubles pairs marched into the quarterfinals.
The experienced pairing of Riya Bhatia and Rutuja Bhosale pulled off a stunning upset over the third-seeded Slovenian duo Dalila Jakupovic and Nika Radisic, winning 6-2, 6-2 in straight sets. Meanwhile, teenage wildcard pair Vaishnavi Adkar and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi continued India’s success story, edging out Amina Anshba and Eden Silva 6-2, 1-6, [10-7] in a match tiebreak thriller.
Both Indian pairs now stand within striking distance of semifinal berths a testament to the progress of Indian women’s doubles at the international level.
With both Sahaja Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty advancing to the round of 16, India will have representation deep into the singles draw a rare sight at a WTA 250 event. Their upcoming clashes against seeded international opponents will test their tactical endurance and ability to sustain intensity over back-to-back matches. The Chennai Open 2025 continues to reaffirm the event’s role as a critical platform for emerging Indian players to gain exposure against top-tier competition. Supported by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA), the tournament continues to foster local talent while delivering world-class tennis to Indian audiences.
As the week unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Sahaja and Shrivalli can extend their runs and script a deeper chapter in Indian tennis history one where homegrown champions challenge, compete, and thrive on the global stage.
