India’s No. 1 women’s singles player Sahaja Yamalapalli began her WTA 250 Chennai Open campaign in style, defeating Indonesia’s Priska Madelyn Nugroho 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16.
Playing on Center Court, the 23-year-old from Hyderabad produced a composed and tactically sharp performance to secure her maiden main-draw win at the WTA 250 level. The wildcard entrant joined fellow Indian Shrivalli Bhamidipaty in the second round, giving the home crowd more reason to cheer at India’s premier tennis event. Yamalapalli, who recently stunned former US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2 at the WTA 125 Abierto Tampico earlier this month, carried her momentum seamlessly into Chennai.
Sahaja looked in control right from the start. Despite both players struggling with their first serves Sahaja at 61% and Nugroho at 63% the Indian showed better consistency and decision-making from the baseline. Her clean groundstrokes and measured aggression helped her dominate rallies and pressure her Indonesian opponent, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser.
While neither player managed an ace in the contest, Sahaja’s steady serving and ability to minimize errors stood out. She committed just one double fault compared to Nugroho’s four, which proved crucial in tight moments of the first set. Breaking her opponent twice, Sahaja closed out the opener 6-4 after 44 minutes, converting two of her seven break points.
The second set saw Yamalapalli raise her level further. She broke early to lead 3-1 and kept control of the tempo, displaying excellent footwork and composure during long rallies. Her shot selection particularly off the forehand allowed her to dictate play, while Nugroho struggled to find rhythm against Sahaja’s deep, flat returns. Statistically, the difference was clear. Sahaja won 62% of points on her first serve and 50% on her second, compared to Nugroho’s 52% and 38%, respectively. The Indian also showed better mental focus in key moments, converting 6 of 14 break points, while the Indonesian could take advantage of only 3 of 13 opportunities.
Sahaja’s dominance in return games was also decisive she won 41 receiving points to Nugroho’s 28, underlining her ability to read the serve and attack second deliveries. With a combination of control and confidence, she wrapped up the second set 6-2 to seal a straight-sets victory in just over 90 minutes.
The win marked a significant milestone in Yamalapalli’s young career her first-ever WTA 250 main-draw singles victory. It also earned her 30 valuable ranking points, helping her continue her steady climb on the WTA ladder. For Indian tennis, it was another encouraging sign of progress, as Yamalapalli and Bhamidipaty became the first homegrown pair in years to reach the Round of 16 in a WTA event held on Indian soil.
Next up: Donna Vekic challenge
In the Round of 16, Sahaja will face Croatia’s Donna Vekic, a former top-20 player known for her powerful game but currently struggling with form. The matchup offers Yamalapalli a realistic shot at making her first WTA 250 quarterfinal. Vekic, who has faced early exits in recent tournaments, will be wary of the Indian’s current form and home advantage. If Sahaja maintains her composure and continues to hit through the court as she did against Nugroho, she could well spring another surprise.
Yamalapalli’s recent run has been nothing short of inspiring. Earlier this month, she pulled off one of the biggest wins of her career by defeating 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in straight sets at Tampico. That performance turned heads and reaffirmed her ability to challenge higher-ranked opponents on the international stage. Her success has also come through hard-earned experience on the ITF circuit, where she has steadily built a strong base, both technically and mentally. What stands out most in her game now is maturity an improved understanding of when to attack, when to defend, and how to sustain pressure throughout matches.
With Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty both advancing to the second round, Indian women’s tennis is seeing a refreshing resurgence. Their performances at Chennai reflect growing depth in the national setup, with players showing they can compete at WTA events without intimidation. As Sahaja prepares for her clash with Vekic, the local crowd in Chennai will rally behind her once again hoping to witness another chapter in her breakout season. Win or lose, Yamalapalli’s poise, precision, and persistence continue to mark her as one of the most exciting prospects in Indian tennis today.
Match summary: Sahaja Yamalapalli (IND) def. Priska Madelyn Nugroho (INA) 6-4, 6-2
Duration: 1h 31m
Break Points: Yamalapalli 6/14, Nugroho 3/13
First Serve %: Yamalapalli 61%, Nugroho 63%
Double Faults: Yamalapalli 1, Nugroho 4
