Chennai Open singles final postponed due to rain and smog
The match between Janice Tjen and Magda Linette will now be held on Monday morning after visibility issues at the stadium.
The women's singles final of the WTA 250 Chennai Open was postponed on Sunday, November 8, due to rain and poor air quality. According to reports from India Today, Sportstar and The Hindu, the match between Indonesia's Janice Tjen and Poland's Magda Linette was rescheduled to 11 a.m. on Monday, November 9, which is the reserve day for the tournament.
The contest at the SDAT Stadium in Nungambakkam was originally scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm following the doubles final. While the doubles match was completed without interruption, the singles final faced three delays due to rain. After organisers dried the centre court and announced a 9 pm start, heavy smoke from Diwali fireworks created visibility problems, leading to the match being called off.
Janice Tjen, the defending champion and world No. 75, criticised the tournament organisers on Instagram, alleging they wanted the final to proceed despite the poor air quality. Tjen shared a video showing a thick blanket of smog around the venue. Both players briefly met with supervisor Sheetal Iyer at the centre court before leaving the stadium.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed the postponement in an official statement, citing unforeseen weather conditions. The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association stated that spectators with valid tickets for Sunday's matches can use them to enter the venue on Monday.
The third edition of the event faced weather interruptions throughout the week, including a washout on the opening day. The tournament has been reallocated to Manila, Philippines, for 2027 due to the monsoon season and the popularity of Alexandra Eala.