Mumbai, Feb 3 (PTI) – India's rising tennis sensation, 15-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran, showcased her resilience and skill at the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series, securing a spot in the main draw after a hard-fought victory against Jessica Failla of the USA.
Playing at the Cricket Club of India on Monday, Rajeshwaran overcame a second-set slump to emerge victorious with a 7-6, 1-6, 6-4 win in the final qualifying round. Her triumph follows an impressive first-round win over world No. 265 Nicole Fossa Huergo. She now prepares to face Great Britain’s Yuriko Lily Miyazaki in the round of 32.
Expressing her excitement, Rajeshwaran said, “I was pretty happy with qualifying because that was my first goal when I entered the tournament. My goals are not done yet, but the first goal is accomplished for now. She did test me in the third set, but I’m happy to win.”
A key source of motivation for the young star has been the presence of her father, who rarely gets the opportunity to travel with her for tournaments. “I'm very happy when he travels because if he's there, I really have my head down and focus. He helps me remain calm, so even if I’m playing a very tough match, he'll be there to support me. I feel like almost 100 per cent of my pressure goes to him at that point, so I’ll be at ease,” she shared.
Rajeshwaran also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the WTA 125 Series event, acknowledging the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) for their support. “It’s not something new that I’ve been doing, but in the WTA circuit, yes, it does feel pretty amazing,” she said.
With her confidence soaring and momentum on her side, all eyes will be on Rajeshwaran as she steps onto the court for her main draw match, aiming to make a deeper impact in the prestigious tournament.
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