Just three weeks after winning her first professional singles title, India’s Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi has achieved another significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
The 17-year-old became the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2012 to reach a WTA Tour-level singles quarterfinal, defeating Poland’s Weronika Falkowska 6–4, 6–3 at the Chennai Open on Wednesday.
Ranked World No. 669, Rajeshwaran Revathi entered the WTA 250 tournament as a wild card. Two victories later, she finds herself among the final eight players, continuing a remarkable few weeks on the professional circuit.
Two Victories, One Historic Achievement
Rajeshwaran Revathi’s opening-round victory was particularly dramatic.
Facing eighth seed Katarzyna Kawa, ranked No. 115, the teenager recovered from 5–2 down in the deciding set to win 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(5).
It was her first victory over an opponent ranked inside the world’s Top 120.
Less than 24 hours later, she returned to court against Falkowska, a qualifier ranked No. 277.
The Polish player established a 4–2 lead in the opening set, but Rajeshwaran Revathi responded by winning four consecutive games to take control.
She maintained that momentum in the second set, completing a straight-sets victory to secure her first WTA Tour quarterfinal.
Speaking after the match, the Indian teenager explained that she was approaching the tournament without placing unnecessary pressure on herself.
“Honestly, I came in as a wildcard. So, I’m just trying to play my best tennis here, with nothing to lose,” she said, according to the Hindustan Times.
Following in Sania Mirza’s Footsteps
The victory ended a 14-year wait for an Indian woman to reach the quarterfinals of a WTA Tour-level singles tournament.
Mirza was the last to achieve the feat, reaching the last eight in Pattaya in February 2012.
Only one other Indian woman, Shikha Uberoi, has reached a WTA singles quarterfinal this century.
For Rajeshwaran Revathi, the achievement comes during a particularly productive period.
In October, she captured her maiden professional singles title at the ITF W35 tournament in Lagos, Portugal, becoming the youngest Indian player on record to win a women’s World Tennis Tour singles title at W35 level or higher.
She subsequently defeated another tournament top seed in Monastir, extending a run that has now carried into Chennai.
The Tennis Site previously covered her remarkable October breakthrough, including her first professional title, victories over higher-ranked opponents and recent change of training academy.
Montgomery Awaits in Quarterfinals
Rajeshwaran Revathi will next face American Robin Montgomery, who defeated Belgium’s Jeline Vandromme 6–4, 3–6, 7–5 to reach the quarterfinals.
Montgomery won her first WTA Tour singles title at ‘s-Hertogenbosch earlier this season and will be another step up in competition for the Indian teenager.
Whatever happens next, Rajeshwaran Revathi has already turned a promising run on the ITF circuit into a breakthrough on the WTA Tour that is sure to get Indian tennis fans excited.
Continue Reading
- Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi’s Breakthrough Continues in Monastir
- ITF World Tennis Tour Explained: Levels, Ranking Points and How It Works
- The WTA Tour Explained: Tournaments, Rankings and Structure
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