After a two-day weather delay, the WTA Chennai Open resumed with the completion of all first-round matches. The spotlight now shines on top seed Zeynep Sonmez, who is set to face Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee. As is customary, predictions for each matchup will be provided, heightening the anticipation of who will progress to the next stage.
In one notable first-round clash, Polina Iatcenko faces Katarzyna Kawa for their first meeting on the tour. Iatcenko, having benefited from an opponent’s retirement due to the extreme heat in her previous match, secured her first-ever victory at the tour level. This experience could bolster her confidence moving forward. Kawa, meanwhile, pulled off a surprising comeback against the fifth seed, Lucia Bronzetti, marking her return to form with her first tour-level win since March. Despite Kawa’s victory, Iatcenko may have the upper hand due to her limited time on court as the conditions remain arduous.
The next match features Joanna Garland taking on Mei Yamaguchi, also their first encounter. Garland comes in with fresh momentum after defeating Arianne Hartono in the first round, marking her second career tour-level win, and the first outside Grand Slams. Yamaguchi, who benefited from an opponent’s retirement in her opening match, is proving to be resilient. However, Garland’s performance this season indicates she is likely to come through this match.
Australian Kimberly Birrell meets Shrivalli Bhamidipaty in another first-time meeting. Birrell showcased her skills after a rocky start against Nikola Bartunkova, signaling she has the ability to build momentum if she finds her rhythm. Bhamidipaty earned her first tour-level win by defeating another young player, which marks an exciting milestone for her. However, she will face a tougher test against Birrell, who is expected to advance.
The highlight of the day features top seed Sonmez facing off against Tararudee for the first time. Sonmez, a strong contender for this week’s title, started her campaign with a straightforward win, bringing valuable experience to the court. In contrast, Tararudee is in search of her second tour-level victory after a notable performance in the first round. Given Sonmez’s prowess, she is expected to secure a straight-sets victory.
The matches ahead promise to deliver thrilling tennis as players vie for progression in the tournament.