WTA Mumbai Open: Indian Singles Hopes Extinguished in Opening Round Sweep
It has been a somber week for Indian tennis at the 2026 WTA L&T Mumbai Open. Despite the home-court advantage at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA), the Indian singles contingent saw its campaign come to an abrupt end as all six representatives were knocked out in the opening round.
While the tournament featured a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the gap between domestic talent and the international field was on full display.
The Opening Day Blows
The disappointment began on Monday when India’s veteran and former national No. 1, Ankita Raina, fell to Japan’s Misaki Matsuda. Raina, who entered the main draw after top-seed Lulu Sun withdrew, struggled to find her rhythm, eventually losing 4-6, 0-6.
Joining her on the sidelines was Vaidehee Chaudhari, India’s second-ranked player. Facing France’s Leolia Jeanjean, a player known for her giant-killing run at the 2022 French Open where she made Round 3, Chaudhari was outclassed in a swift 2-6, 0-6 defeat that lasted just over an hour.
Tuesday’s Final Stand
Hope rested on the remaining four Indians on Tuesday, but the results followed a similar pattern of “almost but not quite.”
- Sahaja Yamalapalli: The current Indian No. 1 lost in a grueling one-hour and 50-minute battle against Japan’s Eri Shimizu. Yamalapalli pushed the first set to the limit before ultimately succumbing 7-5, 6-2.
- Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi: The 16-year-old wildcard, who reached the semi-finals in the previous edition, showed flashes of brilliance against Thailand’s fifth seed Lanlana Tararudee. However, Tararudee’s consistency proved too much for the teenager, who lost 6-3, 6-2.
- Vaishnavi Adkar: Pushed Austria’s Lilli Tagger (the 2025 French Open junior champion) in a physical encounter, but Tagger’s experience in high-pressure points led to a 7-5, 6-4 win over the local favorite.
- Shrivalli Bhamidipaty: Despite a spirited effort, Bhamidipaty was outplayed by qualifier Kristiana Sidorova, losing 6-1, 6-3.
Summary of Results
| Indian Player | Opponent | Score |
| Sahaja Yamalapalli | Eri Shimizu (JPN) | 5-7, 2-6 |
| Ankita Raina | Misaki Matsuda (JPN) | 4-6, 0-6 |
| Vaidehee Chaudhari | Leolia Jeanjean (FRA) | 2-6, 0-6 |
| Vaishnavi Adkar | Lilli Tagger (AUT) | 5-7, 4-6 |
| Maaya Rajeshwaran | Lanlana Tararudee (THA) | 3-6, 2-6 |
| Shrivalli Bhamidipaty | Kristiana Sidorova (RUS) | 1-6, 3-6 |
Looking Ahead
The mass exit in the first round is a reality check for Indian women’s singles tennis, highlighting a need for more high-level exposure and “match-toughness” against international opponents. While the singles dream ended early, the Indian presence remained in the doubles draw, where players like Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale will carry the flag.
“It’s extremely exciting to see venues like the MSLTA provide a platform, but our players need to capitalize on these opportunities to bridge the gap with the top 200,” noted tournament observers.
