Janice Tjen vs. Polina Kudermetova — Chennai Open 2026 Quarterfinal Match Report.
Polina Kudermetova struck 42 winners against Janice Tjen in Chennai. She also made 45 unforced errors. By the time those numbers were added up, the defending champion was safely through to another semifinal.
Tjen defeated the sixth-seeded Uzbek 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 on Friday, November 6, recovering from a difficult opening set to keep her hopes of retaining the Chennai Open title alive.
It was not an entirely comfortable afternoon. Tjen had to recover from 1-4 in the opening set, only to lose it anyway. But once she established control in the second, Kudermetova struggled to find a response.
For Tjen, who won her first WTA singles title here twelve months ago, the victory carries particular significance. She is now just two matches away from becoming a back-to-back Chennai champion.
Tjen Recovers From 1-4 but Loses the Opening Set
Kudermetova made the stronger start, holding her opening two service games before securing the first break to establish a 3-1 lead.
The Uzbek consolidated for 4-1, placing the defending champion under considerable pressure.
Tjen responded by holding serve and then breaking Kudermetova to reduce the deficit to 3-4.
Another hold brought her level at 4-4, completing a recovery that had appeared unlikely only minutes earlier.
But the opening set was far from settled.
Kudermetova held for 5-4, and Tjen answered to level again. The Uzbek then moved ahead 6-5, forcing the Indonesian to serve to stay in the set.
This time, Tjen could not escape.
Kudermetova broke to take the opener 7-5, finally converting her early advantage into a one-set lead.
For the defending champion, the frustration was obvious in the scoreline having worked her way back from 1-4 down.
One Break Gives Tjen the Second Set
The second set developed very differently.
After Kudermetova held the opening game and Tjen responded, the Indonesian secured an early break for 2-1.
She consolidated for 3-1 and began protecting her advantage with considerably greater authority.
Kudermetova remained within touching distance, holding serve to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and later 4-3.
But the Uzbek could not recover the break.
Tjen held for 5-3, leaving Kudermetova serving to stay in the set.
The sixth seed survived that examination, but the Indonesian made no mistake when serving at 5-4.
Tjen closed out the second set 6-4, sending the contest into a decider.
She had now won a set without allowing Kudermetova a single break.
The Defending Champion Runs Away With the Decider
Tjen wasted little time establishing control of the final set.
She broke Kudermetova immediately and consolidated for a 2-0 lead.
The Uzbek held for 2-1, but Tjen responded with another hold before securing a second break to move ahead 4-1.
Suddenly, the defending champion was just two games away from the semifinals.
She held for 5-1, leaving Kudermetova facing elimination.
The Uzbek managed one final service hold, but there would be no late comeback.
Tjen served out the match 6-2, completing an increasingly convincing victory after her difficult start.
Thirteen Aces and a Twenty-Error Difference
Kudermetova’s 42 winners suggest she was the more aggressive player. But that approach came at a considerable cost.
Her 45 unforced errors were almost double Tjen’s total of 25.
| Tjen | Statistic | Kudermetova |
|---|---|---|
| Full Match Duration: 2h25m | ||
| 1.24 | Dominance Ratio | 0.81 |
| 31 | Winners | 42 |
| 25 | Unforced Errors | 45 |
| 277 | Serve Rating | 243 |
| 13 | Aces | 3 |
| 2 | Double Faults | 7 |
| 66% (63/95) | 1st Serve % | 57% (56/98) |
| 79% (50/63) | 1st Serve Points Won | 66% (37/56) |
| 41% (13/32) | 2nd Serve Points Won | 48% (20/42) |
| 50% (2/4) | Break Points Saved | 67% (8/12) |
| 146 | Return Rating | 143 |
| 34% (19/56) | 1st Return Points Won | 21% (13/63) |
| 52% (22/42) | 2nd Return Points Won | 59% (19/32) |
| 4/12 | Break Points Won | 2/4 |
| 104 | Total Points Won | 89 |
Created by rallyher.comThe Indonesian also enjoyed a substantial advantage behind her first delivery, winning 50 of 63 first-serve points.
Her 13 aces were particularly valuable, helping her protect 13 of 15 service games across the three sets.
Kudermetova, by comparison, managed only three aces and committed seven double faults.
Tjen was also much more effective returning first serves, winning 34% of those points compared with Kudermetova’s 21%.
The Indonesian created 12 break-point opportunities, converting four. Kudermetova had only four chances of her own, converting two.
Across the match’s 193 points, Tjen claimed 104 to Kudermetova’s 89.
Kudermetova produced more winners and enjoyed slightly better second-serve returns, but Tjen’s stronger serving and greater consistency ultimately decided the contest.
Tjen’s Chennai Title Defense Has Added Significance
Tjen returns to Chennai with considerably different expectations from those she faced in 2025.
Last year, competing as the No. 4 seed, she defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3 in the final to capture her first WTA singles title.
She also won the doubles championship alongside fellow Indonesian Aldila Sutjiadi, completing a memorable singles-and-doubles sweep.
Twelve months later, Tjen is the tournament’s top seed and the player everyone else is trying to dethrone.
The Indonesian’s successful title defense would also have a place in the tournament’s history.
The current WTA 250 Chennai license is expected to move to Manila in 2027.
That would make the winner of Sunday’s final the last Chennai Open champion under the existing arrangement.
For Tjen, who helped make the 2025 edition memorable with her two titles, another singles championship would be a fitting conclusion to this chapter of the tournament. She plays Robin Montgomery next.