Maaya Rajeshwaran pulls off stunning upset to clinch biggest career win in Monastir

Maaya Rajeshwaran’s rise in tennis continues to gain momentum. The Indian teenager achieved the biggest win of her career at the W35 Monastir tournament and staged a brilliant comeback to defeat world number 196 Anastasia Gasanova of Russia in the opening round.

Maaya, ranked 726th in the world, defeated the tournament’s top seed 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 to underline her growing potential on the professional circuit. Gasan, who reached a career-high ranking of 121 in 2022, also qualified for Wimbledon 2026 and reached the second round, where she lost to Naomi Osaka.

The win extended Maaya’s winning streak to nine matches, further highlighting the rapid progress he is making. She also defeated the tournament’s top seed in the opening round of the W35 tournament in Lagos a few weeks ago, showing that her performance in Monastir was not an isolated result.

MAY SEPTEMBER ON

The 17-year-old recovered impressively from down the opening set to win the second 6-2 before holding her nerve to close out the deciding set 6-4. Beating a player ranked more than 500 places above her marks a significant milestone as she continues her transition to the senior circuit.

Her recent triumph at the W35 tournament in Lagos has already put her in the spotlight. Maaya defeated Spain’s Celia Cervino Ruiz 6-4, 6-2 in the final to win his first professional singles title. Alongside the Ukrainian Jelyzaveta Kotliarová, she also won the doubles crown, thus completing a memorable double.

By winning in Lagos, Maaya broke the 22-year-old record held by Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza. At 17 years and 121 days, she became the youngest Indian woman to win a singles title at W35 level or higher, breaking Sania’s mark.

CHENNAI OPEN WILDCARD AWAITS

Maaya’s progress also brings her opportunities on bigger stages. She has been awarded a wild card for the Chennai Open 2026 to be held at the SDAT Stadium from November 2 to 8.

He is among the players awarded wild cards, along with Indians Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli. American Katherine Hui, the 2023 US Open girls’ singles champion, also received a wild card.

For Maaya, the Chennai Open will be another opportunity to test herself against stronger opposition and build on the confidence she gained from her recent title win and disappointment in Monastir. With a nine-match winning streak and record-breaking success under her belt, the teenager continues to make a strong case as one of India’s up-and-coming tennis talents.

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