Day 5 of the Chennai Open International Women’s Tennis Championships 2025 turned into a test of endurance, skill, and heart as thrilling matches stretched deep into the night at the SDAT Tennis Stadium. The day saw fierce battles across courts, surprise upsets, and moments that reminded fans why the WTA 250 event has become one of South Asia’s most exciting fixtures.
The spotlight of the evening fell on Kimberly Birrell of Australia and India’s rising star Shrivalli Bhamidipaty. What began as a routine outing for the seventh seed quickly transformed into one of the most intense contests of the tournament. Birrell raced ahead 5–1 in the first set before Shrivalli, cheered on by a vocal Chennai crowd, clawed her way back to level at 5-all. Both players exchanged heavy groundstrokes and fierce rallies, with Shrivalli even holding serve on her eighth advantage point. However, costly double faults at key moments allowed Birrell to regain control and seal the opening set 7–5.
WTA 250 – The second set followed a similar pattern. Shrivalli’s fighting spirit kept her in the contest, breaking back twice to level at 6-all. Yet, Birrell’s experience showed in the tiebreak, where she surged ahead 5–1 and closed it out 7–2 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Earlier in the afternoon, Croatian star and Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekić demonstrated her class by dispatching India’s No. 1 player Sahaja Yamalapalli 6–2, 6–2. Despite her straight-sets loss, Sahaja earned applause for her determination and court coverage against one of the circuit’s most experienced competitors.
WTA 250 – In another gripping encounter, 2022 champion Linda Fruhvirtová of the Czech Republic fell to Janice Tjen of Indonesia. After taking the first set with ease, Fruhvirtová faltered as Tjen adjusted better to Chennai’s humid conditions, winning 2–6, 6–3, 6–2.
The night also brought joy for fans of youth tennis as 16-year-old wild card Mia Pohankova, this year’s Wimbledon girls’ champion, stunned ninth seed Diane Parry of France 6–3, 6–4. The Slovak prodigy displayed maturity well beyond her years, earning her first WTA quarterfinal appearance.
WTA 250 – Meanwhile, Lanlana Tararudee of Thailand scripted the upset of the day by defeating top seed Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey in a thrilling three-setter. After dropping the opening set 2–6, Tararudee fought back with poise and precision to win 6–3, 6–3. The match concluded at 12:19 AM, marking one of the latest finishes in this year’s tournament — a testament to the relentless spirit of the players and the Chennai fans who stayed till the final point.
WTA 250 – On the outer courts, Arina Rodionova edged compatriot Storm Hunter 1–6, 6–4, 7–6(9), while Polina Iatsenko cruised past Katarzyna Kawa 6–2, 6–3. Joanna Garland survived a marathon against Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi, winning 5–7, 7–5, 7–5 after three hours and sixteen minutes of top-class tennis.
In doubles action, the young Indian duo Lakshmi Prabha Arunkumar and Diya Ramesh fought valiantly but went down 8–10 in the super tiebreak against Italians Ekaterina Yashina and Anastasia Prozorova.
As the tournament heads into the quarterfinal stage, fans can expect more fireworks with the likes of Vekić, Birrell, Tararudee, and Pohankova promising another day of world-class tennis.
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