Maaya Rajeshwaran India's last singles hope as Vaishnavi Adkar bows out

Maaya Rajeshwaran emerged as India's last remaining singles hope at the Chennai Open after national number one Vaishnavi Adkar suffered a 3-6, 0-6 defeat to Russia's Anastasia Zakharova in the Round of 16.Maaya Rajeshwaran remains Indiia's only singles hope after Vaishnavi Adkar crashed out. Courtesy: PTINew Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 22:06 ISTIndia's campaign in the women's singles at the Chennai Open is now down to Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi after national number one Vaishnavi Adkar crashed out in the Round of 16 on Thursday. Adkar suffered a comprehensive 3-6, 0-6 defeat to Russia's seventh seed Anastasia Zakharova, bringing her campaign to an end.Maaya, meanwhile, kept India's hopes alive with a convincing 6-4, 6-3 victory over Poland's Weronika Falkowska in the second round. The wildcard entrant has produced an impressive run at the WTA 250 tournament and will now be the country's sole representative in the singles draw.Adkar had entered the second round on the back of an impressive comeback victory against Britain's Jodie Burrage. The Indian had recovered from losing the opening set to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, displaying considerable fighting spirit to reach the last 16. However, she could not reproduce that performance against Zakharova.ZAKHAROVA'S BACKHAND PROVES TOO STRONG FOR ADKARThe seventh-seeded Russian dictated proceedings with her returns, moved Adkar from flank to flank and constructed points with considerable ease. The Pune player was put under pressure from the outset, saving two break points in the third game before a backhand error handed Zakharova the advantage. Adkar showed some fight and earned an opportunity to break back, recovering from 0-40 to force deuce. However, Zakharova held on after a lengthy game featuring four deuce points to establish a 3-1 lead. Vaishnavi Adkar lost to Anastasia Zakharova in the Round of 16 at the Chennai Open. Courtesy: PTI The Indian continued to struggle against the Russian's powerful backhand and consistency from the baseline. Zakharova repeatedly found winners off that wing and kept putting Adkar under pressure on serve. Although Adkar saved a break point following a net-cord exchange, she was forced to fend off three more after a series of return errors. The Russian eventually secured another break when Adkar sent a forehand beyond the baseline to move 4-1 ahead. The Indian had opportunities to reduce the deficit but squandered four break points, allowing Zakharova to consolidate her advantage.Trailing 2-5, Adkar called for a medical timeout to receive treatment on her left thigh. She returned with the thigh strapped and managed to break Zakharova, briefly raising hopes of a fightback. However, she could not sustain the momentum, dropping her own serve after finding the net with a forehand to concede the opening set 3-6.The second set proved even more difficult for the Indian. Her body language dipped as unforced errors crept into her game, while Zakharova remained composed and capitalised on her opponent's struggles to complete a 6-0 second-set rout and book her place in the quarter-finals.MAAYA KEEPS INDIA'S HOPES ALIVEWith Adkar's exit, Maaya is now India's sole representative in the women's singles draw. The 17-year-old had already produced one of the biggest performances of her young career by defeating eighth seed Katarzyna Kawa in a thrilling three-set opening-round encounter, winning 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5).She followed that up with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory over Poland's Weronika Falkowska to reach her maiden WTA quarter-final. Maaya became the first Indian player in 14 years to reach the quarter-finals of the Chennai Open.The wildcard entrant will next face American Robin Montgomery as she looks to continue her impressive run and carry India's singles challenge deeper into the tournament.- Ends