Indian tennis enjoyed a standout week at the ITF W35 Solapur, with Vaidehee Chaudhari producing one of the most composed and resilient runs of her career to storm into the singles final, while compatriot Vaishnavi Adkar ensured India would have a guaranteed presence on championship Sunday.
Seeded sixth and ranked WTA 639, Vaidehee Chaudhari arrived in Solapur quietly confident, and over the course of the week, she steadily raised her level with every round. Her campaign began in emphatic fashion in the Round of 32, where she brushed aside qualifier Soha Sadiq 6-1, 6-1. The scoreline reflected Vaidehee’s control from the baseline, as she dictated play early and never allowed her opponent to settle into the contest.
The second round, however, proved to be a far sterner test. Up against Maria Kalyakina (WTA 808), Vaidehee dropped the opening set 3-6 before recalibrating her approach. She began stepping inside the baseline more frequently, taking time away from Kalyakina and turning defence into offence. The tactical shift paid off as she claimed the second set 6-2 and then held her nerve in a tense decider to close out the match 7-5, underlining her growing maturity in tight situations.
Vaidehee’s quarterfinal against Ksenia Efremova of France, World Junior No. 9 and one of the most exciting young prospects on the circuit was arguably the match of the tournament. Efremova’s early aggression earned her the first set 6-4, and she looked on course for victory when she surged to a 5-3 lead in the deciding set.
What followed was a remarkable display of mental strength. Vaidehee reeled off four consecutive games from 3-5 down, absorbing pressure and waiting patiently for the right moments to strike. Her 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory not only secured her place in the final but also sent out a strong message about her ability to compete with elite junior and senior-level talent alike.
All-India semifinal turns into final preview
The semifinal stage also delivered a marquee all-India clash, as Vaidehee faced Vaishnavi Adkar, the eighth seed ranked WTA 691. The matchup had been anticipated since Adkar’s gritty run through the draw, and the contest lived up to expectations at least in the opening set.
Vaidehee edged a see-saw first set 6-4, marked by long rallies and momentum swings. Once she gained that foothold, however, the match tilted decisively in her favour. Vaidehee dominated the second set, racing to a 5-0 lead with relentless depth and consistency before sealing the match 6-4, 6-2 to book her spot in the singles final.
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While Adkar fell short in the semifinal, her tournament was highlighted by an extraordinary quarterfinal victory. Facing Golovina (WTA 671), Adkar won the opening set 6-2 before dropping the second 3-6. The deciding set stretched into a nerve-wracking tiebreak, where Adkar produced a flawless performance, winning it 7-0 to advance. That result not only showcased her resilience but also confirmed India’s presence in the final, regardless of the semifinal outcome.
Vaidehee Chaudhari’s run to the ITF W35 Solapur final represents more than just another deep tournament showing. It reflects a player who is learning to manage pressure, adapt tactically, and close out big matches key traits for success at the next level. With multiple comebacks and wins over varied playing styles, her week in Solapur stands as one of the strongest performances by an Indian woman on the ITF circuit this season.
As the final beckons, Indian tennis can take heart from both Vaidehee’s consistency and Vaishnavi’s fighting spirit clear signs of depth, belief, and momentum building within the women’s game.
