Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale reach Chennai Open doubles final
The Indian duo made history as the first all-Indian pair to reach a WTA Tour-level final after defeating the second seeds.
Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale defeated the second-seeded Polish-American pair Weronika Falkowska and Alana Smith 6-2, 2-6, [10-8] at the WTA 250 Chennai Open on Saturday. According to The Hindu, the victory makes them the first all-Indian combination to reach a Tour-level final.
The Indian pair took an early lead in the first set, reaching a 4-1 advantage before securing the opener. However, the momentum shifted in the second set when 21-year-old Adkar committed consecutive double faults in the sixth game. Adkar also required a medical timeout to address a left hip issue during the match.
In the deciding super tie-break, Falkowska and Smith led 8-6 before the Indians recovered. Adkar and Bhosale eventually secured the win when Adkar hit a forehand down the line that landed inside the baseline.
Rutuja Bhosale, 30, said it was an incredible feeling to reach the final on home soil with a partner she enjoys playing with. Adkar noted that the pair was unaware they were the first Indian duo to achieve this milestone.
The Indian pair will face the Swiss duo of Naima Karamoko and Simona Waltert in the final. In the singles semifinals, Janice Tjen defeated Robin Montgomery 6-3, 6-4, while Magda Linette beat Anastasia Zakharova 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the summit clash.