Maaya Rajeshwaran, Vaishnavi Adkar notch maiden Tour-level wins at Chennai Open

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi of India celebrates after winning her first-round match at the WTA 250 Chennai Open. | Photo Credit: R. RAGU

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi and Vaishnavi Adkar added another highlight to their breakout seasons as the Indian wild cards recorded their maiden Tour-level wins at the Chennai Open on Tuesday.

World No. 669 Maaya, the 17-year-old girl from Coimbatore who recently claimed her first-ever senior title, came back from 2-5 in the decider to upset Polish World No. 115 Katarzyna Kawa 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) late in the night at the SDAT Stadium in Nungambakkam.

Maaya’s surprise victory over the 33-year-old Pole on the Centre Court followed Vaishnavi’s 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 heist against Britain’s Jodie Burrage.

Vaishnavi, the 21-year-old girl from Maharashtra who began the year as World No. 681, has nearly halved her ranking and entered this week’s WTA 250 event as India’s best player.

Despite a nervous start, Vaishnavi eventually lived up to the billing to secure an incredible come-from-behind victory in two hours and 46 minutes, much to the delight of 150-odd spectators, including her mentor and former doubles World No. 1 Rohan Bopanna.

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Former World No. 85 Burrage put the pressure straight away on Vaishnavi with a love hold, featuring two aces, in the opening game. The Indian immediately dropped her serve and fell further behind.

Perhaps, to get rid of that nervousness, Vaishnavi needed a bit of luck, and it finally came when a perfectly fine backhand from the Brit clipped the tape and went wide.

Swinging her racquet more freely, Vaishnavi reeled off three games in a row. Even though that advantage didn’t last long, the Indian was no more overwhelmed by the occasion.

She managed to force a third set and even ran to a 3-1 lead in the decider before the Brit launched a barrage of forehand winners.

Burrage earned herself the chance to serve for the match at 5-3. However, Vaishnavi refused to budge and ultimately outlasted her much-experienced opponent, who needed a medical timeout before the final game as the humidity took its toll on her.

Important results (first round)

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi bt Katarzyna Kawa (Pol) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5); Vaishnavi Adkar bt Jodie Burrage (GB) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5; Janice Tjen (Ina) bt Katherine Hui (USA) 6-1, 6-2; Magda Linette (Pol) bt Aliona Falei (Blr) 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-2; Polina Kudermetova (Uzb) bt Viktoria Morvayova (Svk) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1; Anastasia Zakharova (Rus) bt Polina Iatcenko (Rus) 7-6(3), 6-1; Robin Montgomery (USA) bt Panna Udvardy (Hun) 6-4, 1-6, 6-1