WTA 250 Chennai Open | Zeynep replaces Maria as the stopping seed after the latter withdraws from the WTA 250 Chennai Open

When Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic won the WTA 250 Chennai Open as a 17-year-old in 2022, she was far from the favorite. Unseeded Linda faced third-seeded Magda Linette of Poland in a thrilling three-set final.

Returning to the same tournament, which is being held after a three-year break, the 20-year-old defending champion knows the fickle nature of the sport at the highest level.

Linda, who will face Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam in the first round, said at the draw ceremony here Saturday: “It’s also the last tournament of the season. Some girls might be tired or the opposite, even more motivated. And the weather here can be extreme and it all depends on the specific day. Often we’ve seen qualifiers or unseeded players make great runs.”

Vijay Amritraj, the former Indian tennis great, described the main tournament, which starts at the SDAT-Nungambakkam Stadium here on Monday, as open. “It comes down to the performance of the day. Obviously the weather will play a role depending on how the matches go,” he said.

Germany’s Tatjana Maria, who was the top seed, withdrew without giving a reason. In her absence, Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez (world ranking 69) has been awarded the top spot in the singles main draw.

Indian wildcard entrants Maaya Rajeshwaran and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty will face each other in the opening round. India’s No. 1 Sahaja Yamalapalli, a wildcard entry, will play a qualifier in the first round. Alastair Garland, managing director of Octagon, the licensee of the Chennai Open, said: “It is our intention to hold the tournament here.”

Mother Rajeshwaran Photo credit: R. Ravindran

Speaking against her Indian counterpart Shrivalli on Monday, Maaya said: “I think she is someone that every Indian junior has looked up to. I have known her personally, not just as a player but also as a person. It is an experience to play against her.”