The WTA 250 Chennai Open witnessed another day of compelling tennis at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, with India’s rising stars Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Sahaja Yamalapalli bowing out after spirited second-round contests against higher-ranked opponents.
In what turned out to be a day of valiant effort and high-quality tennis, both Indians showcased resilience and maturity against experienced international players, drawing praise from the home crowd and tournament observers alike.
India’s No. 2 player Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, coming off a confident first-round win, produced one of her best career performances despite going down 5–7, 6–7(2) to Kimberly Birrell, the world No. 117 from Australia. The match began with Birrell racing ahead 5–1 in the opening set, using her superior serve and sharp cross-court angles to dictate play. But Shrivalli, cheered loudly by the local supporters, refused to fade away. She steadied her nerves and began to match the Australian stroke for stroke, finding her rhythm through long, punishing rallies from the baseline.
In a thrilling ninth game, Shrivalli saved multiple game points to hold serve after eight deuces, narrowing the deficit to 4–5. The pressure shifted momentarily to Birrell, who double-faulted twice in her next service game, allowing the Indian to level the set at 5-all. Momentum seemed to swing toward Shrivalli, who struck two aces in the following game, only to commit a costly double fault on game point. Birrell seized the moment, breaking serve to lead 6–5 before serving out the set 7–5 with calm precision.
The second set followed a similar pattern of tight exchanges and shifting momentum. Birrell broke early to lead 4–2, but Shrivalli again clawed her way back, using her forehand to open up the court and force errors. Both players traded breaks to reach 6–6, sending the contest into a tiebreak. In the breaker, Birrell’s composure made the difference. She raced to a 5–1 lead, capitalizing on unforced errors from the Indian, and sealed the tiebreak 7–2 to move into the quarterfinals.
Despite the loss, Shrivalli’s fighting display earned her widespread admiration. For the 23-year-old Hyderabad native, it was another reminder of how close she is to competing consistently at the tour level.
“I had my chances in both sets. It’s disappointing to come that close, but I’m proud of how I fought back from 1–5 down,” Shrivalli said after the match. “Playing in front of the Chennai crowd was special. Every cheer pushed me to believe I could turn it around.”
Birrell, who has been in fine form through the season, acknowledged her opponent’s resilience. “Shrivalli played some great tennis. It was much tougher than the scoreline suggests. She’s definitely a player to watch,” the Australian said post-match. With this result, Shrivalli’s singles campaign at the Chennai Open comes to a close, but her performance will likely boost her confidence and ranking points ahead of the upcoming ITF swing.
Sahaja Falls to Olympic Silver Medallist Vekić
Earlier in the afternoon, India’s top-ranked player Sahaja Yamalapalli faced a daunting challenge against Donna Vekić, the 2024 Wimbledon semifinalist and Tokyo Olympic silver medallist. Despite her best efforts, the 23-year-old from Telangana was overpowered 2–6, 2–6 in a match that underscored the gulf in experience at the top level. Vekić, the tournament’s No. 3 seed, brought her trademark combination of aggressive baseline hitting and precise serving. Sahaja tried to stay aggressive, mixing up her play with timely drop shots and deep returns, but struggled to find consistency against Vekić’s relentless pace.
The Croatian controlled the tempo early, breaking Sahaja twice in the first set. The Indian managed to hold serve in the fifth game, but Vekić’s superior movement and shot selection helped her seal the opener 6–2. The second set followed a similar script, with Sahaja working hard to stay in rallies but unable to counter Vekić’s heavy forehand winners. Despite flashes of brilliance including a stunning backhand pass at 1–3 Sahaja couldn’t sustain the pressure and eventually succumbed 2–6.
Still, it was a valuable experience for the world No. 205, who has made significant strides this year on the ITF circuit and continues to test herself against top-tier competition. Vekić praised Sahaja’s fighting spirit after the match: “She’s got great potential and plays with a lot of energy. I really had to stay focused; the crowd was behind her, and that made it fun.”
While Sahaja’s singles campaign ended, her Chennai Open journey is far from over. She will return to action in doubles later in the evening, partnering with Germany’s Caroline Werner to take on the Russian duo of Polina Iatcenko and Maria Timofeeva in the opening round. The Indian-German pair will hope to carry forward the home support as they aim for a deep run in the doubles draw.
Day 5 at the Chennai Open proved why the tournament has become a special fixture on India’s sporting calendar. From local fans waving flags and chanting players’ names to young ball kids lining up eagerly beside their idols, the atmosphere was electric throughout.
Even as both Indian women exited in the second round, their performances reflected the steady progress of Indian women’s tennis with players like Shrivalli and Sahaja competing toe-to-toe with established international names.
Tournament Director Premkumar Raja noted the significance of their efforts: “It’s heartening to see our players pushing WTA regulars this close. Shrivalli’s fightback was exceptional, and Sahaja continues to carry the flag with determination. The experience from these matches is invaluable for their careers.”
As the Chennai Open enters its final stages, big names like Donna Vekić and Kimberly Birrell move forward into the quarterfinals, while India turns its focus to the doubles draw and the future. With a growing crop of talented players, improved infrastructure, and the continued success of the WTA event in Chennai, Indian women’s tennis looks poised for a brighter horizon.
For now, Shrivalli’s grit and Sahaja’s fighting spirit have ensured that Indian fans left the SDAT Stadium with pride and a sense that the next breakthrough moment in Indian women’s tennis might be closer than ever.
