Synopsis
On February 1, Maaya Rajeshwaran, a 15-year-old tennis prodigy from India, delivered a stunning upset against Nicole Fossa Huergo at the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. This victory sends her to the final qualifying round, marking a significant milestone in her budding career.Key Takeaways
- Maaya Rajeshwaran achieved a stunning victory in the Mumbai Open qualifiers.
- She defeated Nicole Fossa Huergo with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.
- This win advances her to the final qualifying round.
- Maaya is training at the Rafael Nadal Academy.
- She is set to face Jessica Failla next.
Mumbai, Feb 1 (NationPress) It was a remarkable day for Indian tennis as one of its promising talents, Maaya Rajeshwaran, set the tone for the event with an unexpected victory on the opening day of qualifying for the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series at the Cricket Club of India on Saturday.
The 15-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran initiated her journey in the fourth edition of the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series with a breathtaking triumph over World No. 265 Nicole Fossa Huergo from Italy. Maaya clinched the match with scores of 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, advancing to the final round of qualifying at the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series.
Maaya’s remarkable form and strategic ingenuity were evident as she fought her way to victory across three sets, concluding her win with a flawless final set. The young prodigy’s prowess on the court has caught attention, as she is among the select few elite talents globally training at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, a tenure that commenced in January 2025.
The match saw Maaya establish dominance early on, controlling rallies and breaking Huergo’s serve twice to seize the first set 6-3. Her powerful forehand returns and effective service games kept the third seed on the defensive.
Nonetheless, Huergo displayed tenacity in the second set, altering her strategy by varying her pace and targeting Maaya’s backhand. Huergo's aggressive net tactics yielded results as she took the second set 6-3.
With momentum seemingly in Huergo's favor, Maaya made a spectacular comeback, astonishing both her opponent and the audience with an outstanding performance in the decisive third set. She dominated this set with a perfect mix of strength and accuracy, achieving a commanding 6-0 victory without conceding a single game.
Originating from Tamil Nadu, Maaya's extraordinary performance is set to earn her a WTA Ranking in the upcoming weeks, positioning her as the youngest Indian to reach this significant milestone. The teenage star is now set to compete against Jessica Failla in the final qualifying round for the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series.
Krunic, Marcinko, and Ibragimova progress
In additional matches from the first day of qualifying at the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series, Aleksandar Krunic of Russia, seeded seventh, exhibited clinical precision as she dispatched Japan's Naho Sato in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Krunic's consistent service games and relentless baseline shots proved too challenging for Sato to overcome. Second-seeded Serbian Petra Marcinko displayed her formidable form by comfortably defeating Alicia Smith with scores of 6-1, 6-3, using aggressive groundstrokes and smart court coverage that kept Smith under constant pressure.
Russia's Alevtina Ibragimova had to battle hard for her victory against Indonesia's Priska Nugroho. After losing the first set 1-6, Ibragimova rallied back into the match, finding her rhythm to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-4. The match featured numerous lengthy rallies, showcasing Ibragimova's determination and endurance.
