3rd seed Vaidehi Chaudhari (IND, 423) and Indian-origin 1st seed Naiktha Bains (GBR, 358) opened their campaigns with composed straight-set wins on the outdoor hard courts of the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on Wednesday, while Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty (IND, 623) made her awaited return from a 7-month injury absence against 5th seed Hikaru Sato (JPN, 438).
Saved 4 of 5 break points and converted 3 of 4 break chances against Elyse Tse (NZL, 851).
Went unbroken across all 7 service games and generated relentless return pressure in a 6-2, 6-1 win.
Converted 3 of 5 break points and saved 6 of 12 in her 1st singles match in 7 months.
Chaudhari and Bains command their service games as Bhamidipaty shakes off rust
Chaudhari (IND, 423) produced a disciplined display on Court 5 to turn aside New Zealand’s Elyse Tse (NZL, 851) 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour and 32 minutes, protecting 9 of 10 service games and taking 3 of her 4 break opportunities across 2 tidy sets. On Court 3, British Indian-origin 1st seed Naiktha Bains (GBR, 358) held all 7 of her service games—erasing the sole break point she faced—while carving out 18 break points in a 6-2, 6-1 victory over qualifier Natsuho Arakawa (JPN, 948), sealing a marathon 61-minute 2nd set.
Returning to competitive singles action 1 week earlier than initially penciled following a 7-month injury layoff, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty (IND, 623) drew a stern opening test on Court 8 against left-handed 5th seed Hikaru Sato (JPN, 438). After dropping a 40-minute opening set 2-6, Bhamidipaty settled into her rhythm in a tight 50-minute 2nd set—converting 3 of 5 break chances across the contest and saving 6 of 12 break points faced—before Sato closed out a 6-2, 6-4 win in 1 hour and 30 minutes.
| Round | Match | Score | Match Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| R32 | [1] Naiktha Bains GBR · 358 d. (Q) Natsuho Arakawa JPN · 948 | 6-2, 6-1 | Held all 7 service games and generated 18 break points |
| R32 | [3] Vaidehi Chaudhari IND · 423 d. Elyse Tse NZL · 851 | 6-3, 6-4 | Held 9 of 10 service games, saving 4 of 5 break points |
| R32 | [5] Hikaru Sato JPN · 438 d. Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty IND · 623 | 6-2, 6-4 | Bhamidipaty converted 3 of 5 break chances in return match |
Early-morning IST starts for Chaudhari and Bains in Round of 16
Chaudhari (IND, 423) opens play on Court 3 at 4:30 AM IST (10:00 AM AEDT) on Thursday against Japanese qualifier Sera Nishimoto (JPN, 968), while 1st seed Bains (GBR, 358) takes on Australian teenager Alana Subasic (AUS, 516) in the 2nd match on Court 6 following the 4:30 AM IST opener.
| Round | Match | Court | Scheduled Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| R16 | [3] Vaidehi Chaudhari IND · 423 vs (Q) Sera Nishimoto JPN · 968 | Court 3 | 4:30 AM IST |
| R16 | [1] Naiktha Bains GBR · 358 vs Alana Subasic AUS · 516 | Court 6 | Followed by (2nd match after 4:30 AM IST) |