17-year-old Indian wild card Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (IND, 669 · UTR 11.15) saw her landmark run at the 2026 WTA 250 Chennai Open conclude in Friday’s singles quarterfinals against left-handed American Robin Montgomery (USA, 151 · UTR 12.15), bowing out 3-6, 3-6 in 1 hour and 13 minutes on Center Court at the SDAT Tennis Stadium while surging 180 spots to No. 489 in the WTA Live Rankings.
Rallying From 40-0 Down to Lead 3-2 in Set 1 Before Montgomery Closes Out 6-3, 6-3
After saving a break point across 2 deuces to hold for 2-2 in the 38-minute opening set, Rajeshwaran Revathi (IND, 669 · UTR 11.15) rallied from 40-0 down on Montgomery’s serve in Game 5 by winning 5 of the final 6 points to break for a 3-2 lead, before the 21-year-old American (USA, 151 · UTR 12.15) reeled off 4 consecutive games to take the opener 6-3. Trailing 1-4 in the 35-minute 2nd set, the 17-year-old Indian broke Montgomery to 15 in Game 6 and held from 40-0 in Game 7 to pull within 3-4, finishing with 2 of 3 break points converted (67%) before Montgomery closed out the 73-minute contest.
Breaking into the WTA top 500 for the 1st time to unlock bigger tournaments in January 2027
By defeating 8th seed Katarzyna Kawa (POL, 122 · UTR 11.45) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) and Weronika Falkowska (POL, 277 · UTR 11.39) 6-4, 6-3 to join Sania Mirza as only the 2nd Indian woman in a WTA Tour-level singles quarterfinal, Rajeshwaran Revathi jumps 180 spots from No. 669 to No. 489 in the WTA Live Rankings.
| Round | Match | Score | Match Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| QF | Robin Montgomery (USA, 151 · UTR 12.15) def. [WC] Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (IND, 669 · UTR 11.15) | 6-3, 6-3 | Maaya rallied from 40-0 down to break for 3-2 in Set 1 and converted 2 of 3 break points in 1h 13m. |
| R16 | [WC] Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (IND, 669 · UTR 11.15) def. Weronika Falkowska (POL, 277 · UTR 11.39) | 6-4, 6-3 | Converted 6 of 7 break points (86%) and rallied from 2-4 down in Set 1 in 1h 34m. |
| R32 | [WC] Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (IND, 669 · UTR 11.15) def. [8] Katarzyna Kawa (POL, 122 · UTR 11.45) | 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) | Saved 2 match points at 4-5, 15-40 in Set 3 after trailing 2-5 in 2h 13m. |
“For me, I am more confident that I can compete well on tour. Since I came back from injury, it has been a long time since I played so many matches in a row, and that is a very positive takeaway from here.”
Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi · Post-Quarterfinal Press Conference Q&A
We could see that you were trying to adjust to her serve, especially when she was going wide in the ad court — you were adjusting your position along the baseline and sometimes even stepping into the doubles alley. How long did it take you to find a position where you could return either way, or was it a constant thinking exercise throughout the match?
Well, I was trying out different things to find a solution, because, you know, not many players do a serve like this — because I cannot come up with any names when I think about a lefty. And it is different for me, so I was just trying to adjust as much as I can.
More than that, she was hitting all 4 spots quite well — it is not the fact that she was only going wide, she was hitting all 4 spots quite well — and yeah, I was just trying to make the returns, start the point, and it is something that is different for me. So yeah, probably next time I will be more prepared.
Today’s result aside, it was a memorable run for you here in Chennai. What are your biggest takeaways from this week?
Well, I think for me, I am more confident that I can compete well on tour. I think that is something that has been good for me because since I came back from injury, it has been a long time since I played so many matches in a row. And that is a very positive takeaway from here, and now I am just going to rest and then be ready for the next year.
What is your upcoming schedule like, and what are your off-season plans?
So actually I am just going to rest the next 2 days — it is going to be off-season — and then we are going to start preseason until the end of this year, most likely. So yeah, in November we are going to go back to Spain for training and prepare for the next year.
Across 3 matches and 3 different sorts of opponents here — without mentioning the result — which 1 was your favorite battle and why?
I think the 1st 1 was my favorite battle, because it looks like a battle, you know — 7-6 in the 3rd set is a battle! I think that 1 was my favorite. It has been a while since I played a match that close, win or lose — whatever it is, it has been a while since I played a 3rd-set tiebreak, I think that was the 1st match for me, and that was a match that I am happy I pulled off. So yeah.
“1 thing that I am happy about the ranking is that it helps me start the year in bigger tournaments next year, and that is something that I am looking forward to — competing in bigger events.”
After today’s match, of course there must have been some disappointment even though she played very well. Has your coach given you his feedback yet, and what did he say?
We are yet to talk about it — yeah, we are going to talk about it. But overall, I think I had a good couple of months. Whatever we have been working on in terms of improving the game, it definitely got better, and I think this is a good way to finish the year and prepare for next year. We are going to have a better ranking to start the year in Jan, so yeah.
I do not know if you know, but in the live WTA rankings you have broken into the top 500 — you are No. 489 right now. How do you feel about that?
Oh, okay! (Smiles) It is good, it is part of the journey. When you put in the work, when you play well, you win matches — and just like I said, 1 thing that I am happy about the ranking is that it helps me start the year in bigger tournaments next year, and that is something that I am looking forward to — competing in bigger events. So yeah, so far I am happy with whatever has been happening, and I will be back to work in a few days.
You mentioned that you are going to rest now — does that also involve celebrating Diwali at home after a while?
Probably! Probably — it has been a while. So yeah, we are going to get back, see how it looks, and to be honest, yeah, it has been years since I celebrated, and I literally have no idea how it feels like anymore in the 1st place! (Laughs) So yeah, we are going to go back, spend some time with the family, and see some friends and people I have not seen in a while — so yeah, that sounds fun.
