14-year-old Jensi pushes Falkowska in Chennai Open qualifier

Jensi lost 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to Poland’s Weronika Falkowska in a WTA 250 Chennai Open qualifying match in Chennai on Saturday evening under the floodlights. Falkowska is World No. 287.

For the WTA 250 Chennai Open Qualifiers, Diya Ramesh and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty had already been announced as the two Indian wild cards. The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association had told Dipakbhai Kanabar that Shrivalli’s wild card would be reallocated to Jensi, his 14-year-old daughter and India’s second-best female junior, provided they were onsite and a few withdrawals led to Shrivalli entering the draw based on her ranking. Dipakbhai and Jensi made the 10-hour journey from Junagadh in western Gujarat to Chennai; "We thought that if we got in, fine. Otherwise, we will visit some temples in Rameswaram and Madurai before heading back," said Dipakbhai. Coached by Dipakbhai, a schoolteacher by profession, Jensi is already amongst the world’s top-50 juniors and has played two women’s ITFs.

Falkowska initially overpowered Jensi in the opening set before the Indian adjusted in the second. Jensi began to read Falkowska’s serve, countered attempts at variety with steady court coverage and produced several strong passing forehands. "In the second set, Falkowska was unable to handle the shots hit into her body," said Jensi.

The Pole attempted to close the net on multiple occasions but was frequently passed by Jensi’s forehands. Falkowska regained her composure in the decider and edged the teenager to complete the victory.

The match lasted more than two hours and Jensi was visibly emotional after the loss.

Before leaving the court she gave an autograph to a woman who had brought her young son to watch the sport.