Mumbai: Jil Teichmann concluded her semi-final match at the L&T Mumbai Open with a decisive forehand down the line, securing victory with ease. The 27-year-old Swiss player, who once held the 21st position in the world rankings, completed the match in 67 minutes, defeating local favorite Maaya Rajeswaran Revathi with a score of 6-3, 6-1 at the WTA Mumbai Open on Saturday.

Despite the match being lopsided, it marked the culmination of an impressive week for the 15-year-old qualifier, who entered the tournament without an official WTA ranking. 

Maaya began her journey in this prestigious WTA 125 event, the largest women's tennis tournament in India, as a wild card in the qualifying rounds. Initially in the country awaiting a European visa, the young player from Coimbatore seized the unexpected opportunity, achieving a series of remarkable victories.

On Friday, she made history by becoming the first Indian since Sania Mirza to reach the semi-finals of a WTA tournament held in India. However, against Teichmann, she encountered a level of power she had not previously experienced. The left-handed Swiss No. 2 is currently ranked 117th in the world.

“It was more challenging than I anticipated,” Maaya remarked following the match. “I felt physically exhausted. After a long week, my legs were slowing down, and I heavily depend on my mobility. Nevertheless, I am pleased with my ability to compete at this level. I need to enhance my physical conditioning, as I struggled to keep pace after playing five or six matches at this intensity.” The young player from Coimbatore participated in six matches, including two in the qualifiers, three of which extended to three sets.

A few months prior, Maaya garnered attention in India when she was chosen to train at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. Recently, she showcased her talent and potential during a week-long event in Mumbai.

As an aggressive baseliner, Maaya delivers powerful shots from both sides and possesses a strong ability to construct points effectively. Throughout the week, she played with a sense of freedom, yet she walks away with numerous valuable insights, especially following her match against Teichmann.

“I experienced what it means to compete at the highest level,” she remarked. “As I continue to improve, I will encounter more players of this caliber. Competing against those ranked in the top 100 or 150 will provide me with the necessary experience to navigate such matches.”

Her next destination is Mallorca, where she will arrive equipped with the lessons learned from this remarkable week in Mumbai.

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