India’s Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)
The duo defeated second seeds Weronika Falkowska of Poland and Alana Smith of the USA 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 in a hard-fought semifinal. Ankita Raina and Karman Thandi won a WTA 125 doubles title in 2018, but that tournament belongs to a level below the main Tour. The super tie-break was equally tense, with the opponents opening up a 3-0 lead. The Indians fought back despite trailing 6-8, with Bhosale producing a crucial forehand winner before Adkar delivered a winning volley to earn match point. She then sealed the contest with a brilliant forehand down the line, completing the historic 10-8 victory. Meanwhile, top seed and defending champion Janice Tjen defeated Robin Montgomery 6-3, 6-4 to enter the women’s singles final. Third seed Magda Linette also advanced after beating Anastasia Zakharova 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
India’s Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale scripted history at the Chennai Open on Saturday, becoming the first all-Indian women’s pair to reach a doubles final at the main WTA Tour level.