WTA Chennai Open: Montgomery snaps Maaya’s memorable run, Indian challenge ends

CHENNAI Robin Montgomery overcame an early setback to defeat wild card Maaya Rajeshwaran 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, ending the Indian challenge in singles at the WTA 250 Chennai Open on Friday. The 17-year-old Maaya - the first Indian woman to feature in the last-eight stage of a Tour-level event since Sania Mirza in Pattaya City in 2012 - was particularly impressive in the early stages. She tried to handle the 5’10” tall American’s lefty serve, which averaged above the 180km/h mark, by constantly adjusting her position near the baseline.

The Indian got the early break in the fifth game of the opener courtesy a netted backhand from World No. 151 Montgomery, much to the delight of the 500-odd spectators under the floodlights on Centre Court at the SDAT Stadium in Nungambakkam here. But when it came to consolidating the break, the girl from Coimbatore, who had been landing plenty of first serves in the high 170s range, couldn’t find one till she was 15-30 down.

Montgomery converted her first opportunity to restore parity.