Adkar and Bhosale Make Historic Chennai Open Final

Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale became the first all-Indian pair to reach a WTA Tour-level doubles final after defeating second seeds Weronika Falkowska and Alana Smith 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 in the Chennai Open 2026 semi-finals on Saturday.

The Indian pair recovered from a difficult second set and a 3-0 deficit in the deciding super tie-break to complete a landmark victory. Adkar sealed the result with a forehand down the line after earning match point with a winning volley, bringing celebrations from the home duo.

The result is a notable moment for Indian women’s tennis. No all-Indian combination had previously reached a final at the main WTA Tour level, making Adkar and Bhosale’s run in Chennai a significant breakthrough.

Strong start, then a demanding turnaround

Adkar and Bhosale took control early in the semi-final, establishing a 4-1 advantage in the opening set. The first break came in the third game when Adkar attacked Smith’s second serve with a fierce return that Falkowska could not put back into play.

Bhosale then held serve comfortably to consolidate the lead. The Indians created another break opportunity after a forehand error from Falkowska, and Bhosale converted it with a powerful forehand return to give the pair a double-break cushion.

Falkowska and Smith, representing Poland and the United States respectively, struggled to settle in the opener as Adkar and Bhosale closed out the set 6-2. The Indian duo had capitalised on their opponents’ errors and looked in command after the first set.

However, the momentum changed in the second set. Adkar and Bhosale missed chances to break in the third and fifth games, allowing the second seeds to build confidence. Adkar then lost serve at love in the sixth game after two consecutive double faults.

The Indians also found it harder to finish points at the net as Falkowska and Smith tightened their hold on the contest. Adkar, who had required medical attention during her singles second-round match, took a medical timeout for treatment on her strapped left thigh.

Bhosale subsequently faced pressure on serve, and the Polish-American pair converted the first of three break points to take the second set 6-2 and force the super tie-break.

Super tie-break delivers a historic result

Falkowska and Smith made the quicker start to the deciding tie-break, moving 3-0 ahead. Adkar and Bhosale fought back to stay in the match, but the second seeds again held the advantage at 8-6.

Bhosale produced a fine point before a double fault left the Indians under pressure. She responded immediately with a forehand winner that passed Smith and cut the deficit. The turnaround continued when Adkar struck a winning volley to give the Indian pair match point.

Adkar then finished the contest with a forehand down the line, completing the 10-8 super tie-break win and confirming their place in the final.

The achievement adds a new chapter to India’s record in women’s doubles. Shikha Uberoi and Neha Uberoi reached the finals of the 2005 Sunfeast Open and Guangzhou Open, though Neha represented the United States and the pair was an Indo-American combination. Sania Mirza won 43 doubles titles in her career but did not win those titles alongside an Indian partner.

At WTA 125 level, Ankita Raina and Karman Thandi won a doubles title in 2018, while Prarthna Thombare reached three finals with Dutch partner Arianne Hartono. Adkar and Bhosale have now gone one step further in terms of an all-Indian pairing at main-tour level, with a Chennai Open final awaiting them.