Poland's Magda Linette defeated defending champion Janice Tjen of Indonesia in a spirited comeback to win the WTA 250 Chennai Open women's singles title on Monday. The final was postponed due to rain and poor visibility. Linette secured her fourth career singles title, ending a two-year drought, while Indian players also made notable achievements in doubles and singles.
Chennai is on the verge of being confirmed as the host city for the 2029 Asian Athletics Championships, pending the submission of state government guarantees. This decision was made during the Asian Athletics Association council meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday, marking India's third time hosting the event.
Four individuals have been arrested in Chennai in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 27-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, Sivakumar. The attack, which occurred on November 10 evening, is believed to be a result of a long-standing enmity between the victim and one of the accused. Police have altered the charges to murder as investigations continue.
India-born urban planner Nithya Raman, who made history by unseating incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral election, developed her political philosophy through grassroots activism in Chennai. From 2010 to 2013, she led Transparent Chennai, mapping public sanitation, advocating for waste pickers, and opposing slum evictions, using data-driven approaches that later informed her successful mayoral campaign focused on housing affordability and homelessness. She is set to take office on December 14, 2026, as the first Indian-American and South Asian mayor of Los Angeles.
Magda Linette, winner of the Chennai Open singles title, supported the decision to postpone Sunday's final due to unhealthy air quality caused by firecracker pollution. She emphasised the health risks for players, ball kids, and spectators. While glad for the postponement, Linette suggested organisers could plan better for festive periods. Her victory marked her first title in over two years, ending a difficult run and boosting her confidence for upcoming tournaments.
Two men have been arrested in Chennai's Kasimedu area for the murder of a 29-year-old man, Deepak, who was stabbed to death during an altercation while consuming alcohol. The incident stemmed from an earlier dispute last month between Deepak and one of the accused, Jeyaseelan.
The opening day of the WTA 250 Chennai Open was completely washed out on Monday due to persistent heavy rain, exacerbated by an active northeast monsoon and a cyclonic weather system over the Bay of Bengal. Organisers have rescheduled all 16 first-round singles matches for Tuesday, with play set to begin at 11 am, as they grapple with the challenging weather conditions that also affected last year's event.
India's Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale finished as runners-up in the WTA 250 Chennai Open women's doubles final, losing to the Swiss combination of Simona Waltert and Naima Karamoko. Despite the loss, their achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian women's tennis, being the first all-Indian pair to reach a WTA Tour-level doubles final. The singles final was postponed to Monday due to rain and Diwali fireworks.
Indian tennis sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi's impressive run at the Chennai Open concluded in the quarterfinals with a 3-6, 3-6 defeat to American Robin Montgomery. Despite the loss, the 17-year-old's performance, reaching the WTA Tour-level quarterfinals, has been hailed as a significant step forward for Indian women's tennis, showcasing her fearless approach and potential.
India's top-ranked player Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli are set to compete in the WTA 250 Chennai Open, facing tough international opponents in the first round. Seventeen-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi also has a challenging draw. This marks the final edition of the Chennai Open as the WTA 250 slot moves to Manila next year. Meanwhile, all four Indian players in the qualifying rounds were eliminated.
Top seed Aliona Falei and Zhibek Kulambayeva secured their spots in the singles main draw of the WTA 250 Chennai Open after winning their final-round qualifying matches on Sunday. Weronika Falkowska and Kyoka Okamura also advanced.
India's top-ranked tennis player, Vaishnavi Adkar, was defeated by Russia's Anastasia Zakharova in the second round of the Chennai Open singles. Adkar lost 3-6, 0-6, struggling against Zakharova's consistent play and powerful backhand. Meanwhile, Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi advanced to the doubles quarterfinals with her partner Shirvalli Bhamdipati, making her the sole Indian remaining in the singles draw.
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty and Diya Ramesh have been granted wildcards for the WTA 250 Chennai Open tennis tournament qualifying rounds. The qualifiers, featuring strong international players like Linda Fruhvirtova and Storm Hunter, begin on Saturday, with the main draw starting Monday.
India's top singles player Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathy have been granted wild cards for the WTA Chennai Open. American Katherine Hui also received a wild card. Tamil Nadu Tennis Association president Vijay Amritraj expressed optimism about the Indian players' performance at the home event.
The WTA 250 Chennai Open will conclude this year as India lost its slot to the Philippines. Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj revealed that the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association is now aiming to host three to four WTA 125 events in January-February 2028 to provide more opportunities for Indian players. The move was influenced by Chennai's monsoon season and the rise of a Filipino tennis star.
Indonesian tennis sensation Janice Tjen returns to Chennai to defend her WTA singles title, reflecting on a demanding season where she learned to manage expectations and bounce back from setbacks. She discusses the increased competition on the WTA Tour, the growing popularity of tennis in Indonesia, and the invaluable lessons learned from playing doubles with Venus Williams. Tjen also credits her parents' strict upbringing and her collegiate pathway for instilling the resilience needed to navigate professional tennis.
A 61-year-old auto-rickshaw driver in Chennai was arrested for sexually harassing an eight-year-old girl. He was apprehended after fleeing a government hospital where he was admitted following an assault by the girl's family.
The third and final edition of the Chennai Open WTA 250 tournament begins, offering Indian wild card entrants Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi a crucial last opportunity to earn ranking points on home soil. The tournament marks India's exit from the WTA main Tour calendar, making it a significant event for the local players to test their skills against an international field, despite a depleted draw due to withdrawals.
Fourteen-year-old Indian wild card Jensi Kanabar displayed a strong performance against fifth seed Weronika Falkowska of Poland in the Chennai Open qualifying round, eventually losing in three sets. Other Indian players also exited the qualifiers. The article also details the main draw ceremony, top seeds, and Indian wild card entries for the main event.
14-year-old Jensi Kanabar, a wildcard entry, made a significant impact at the WTA 250 Chennai Open, pushing a higher-ranked opponent to three sets. Her inspiring journey is largely due to the unwavering dedication of her father, Dipakbhai Kanabar, who sacrificed his career to support her tennis dreams, building a network of support and even arranging practice facilities. Her achievements have been recognised in her hometown, with a tennis court named in her honour.
A history-sheeter in Chennai was arrested for allegedly scribbling a fake contract murder advertisement on an MTC bus seat, intending to frame a rival gang member. The message included the rival's name and number, leading to an investigation that uncovered the perpetrator through CCTV footage. The accused confessed to the act, committed in an inebriated state due to a feud over a stolen mobile phone.
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad on Sunday after a passenger's power bank caught fire in the overhead bin. The cabin crew quickly extinguished the fire, and the aircraft landed safely. All 180 passengers and seven crew members were unharmed. This is reportedly the third such incident on an IndiGo aircraft in about a year.
Indonesian tennis star Janice Tjen will return as the top seed to defend her title at the Chennai Open International Women's Tennis Championships 2026, a WTA 250 event. The tournament, India's highest international women's ranking event, will feature players from 22 countries, with Tjen being the first Asian top seed.
Ticket sales for the historic Big Bash League (BBL) opener between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers, set to be played in Chennai on December 12, will commence on Saturday, with prices ranging from Rs 1500 to Rs 6000.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai on Saturday for the sixth edition of 'Chhatron Ki Goonj,' a youth outreach programme. He is scheduled to meet Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, marking their first interaction since the formation of the SSJV alliance and TVK joining the INDIA bloc. The visit includes an unscripted interaction with students at Island Grounds, focusing on critical issues, amidst tight security arrangements.
A Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) constable, Deepak, heroically rescued a passenger who slipped while attempting to board a moving express train at Chennai Egmore railway station. His quick action, captured on CCTV, prevented a major tragedy and has earned him widespread praise.
Ajeetesh Sandhu extended his lead to three shots at the Chennai Open after a bogey-free 68 in the third round, moving to 17-under 199. Viraj Madappa climbed to second with a day's lowest 63, while Stepan Danek slipped to third. The tournament is part of the Race to DP World India Championship.
Tamil Nadu's state-run liquor retailer, TASMAC, has taken disciplinary action against 1,729 staff members, suspending 245 supervisors, as employees continue their strike. The strike, which has led to widespread closure of liquor outlets for two days, protests a new environmental and social welfare cess of Rs 10 per bottle. Actions include show-cause notices and suspensions across multiple regions, with TASMAC vowing continued strict measures against unauthorised closures.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has called an emergency meeting of TVK legislators in Chennai to address growing concerns over the conduct of party MLAs. The meeting, scheduled for November 11, will focus on maintaining discipline and public behaviour, particularly in light of allegations against Deputy Speaker M Ravisankar and MLA C Arul Vignesh. Opposition parties, including DMK and AIADMK, have heavily criticised the ruling TVK over these issues, demanding accountability from the Chief Minister.
Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi testified in a Delhi court, detailing her introduction to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar by his wife, Leena Paulose, in December 2020. She recounted meeting Leena at a Chennai event and subsequently being introduced to Sukesh via phone, where a car was offered as a gift. Fatehi also addressed her previous court summons and the court's admonition for her absence.
Vaishnavi Adkar and Rutuja Bhosale became the first all-Indian pair to reach a WTA Tour-level doubles final, achieving this feat at the Chennai Open. They overcame injuries, illness, and tough opponents in the semifinals, expressing immense joy and pride in their historic achievement on home soil.
Ajeetesh Sandhu and Stepan Danek are joint leaders after the first round of the Chennai Open, both carding seven-under 65s. Sandhu, a former Asian Tour winner, made eight birdies, while Danek played a flawless round with seven birdies. Other notable players like Jairaj Singh Sandhu and Saptak Talwar are also in contention.
Ajeetesh Sandhu has established a two-shot lead after the second round of the Chennai Open, firing a six-under 66 to reach 13-under 131. The Chandigarh golfer is ahead of Stepan Danek and Rashid Khan, with two more rounds to play.
Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have completed a four-player trade ahead of IPL 2027, seeing Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards move to CSK, while Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis join SRH.
IIT Madras researchers have developed 'SEANAV', a real-time digital twin platform for autonomous maritime navigation. This platform allows for the testing, validation, and training of autonomous systems in a realistic virtual environment, addressing the challenges of real-world testing. SEANAV aligns with India's Sagarmala Programme and Maritime India Vision 2030, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency at Indian ports and reduce environmental risks.
The only previous tie had occurred at Brisbane back in December 1960 between Australia and the West Indies. In the 40 years since the Madras Test, there have been 1,583 Test matches. But there has never again been a tie.
Indian pacer Anshul Kamboj, playing his first series in New Zealand, has found success adapting to the cold weather and seamer-friendly pitches. He attributes his comfort to his experience playing in Haryana's winter months. Kamboj has impressed with his accurate bowling, taking 2/22 and 2/25 in the first two ODIs.
Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, a 17-year-old Indian tennis player, has become the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2012 to reach a WTA Tour-level singles quarterfinal. She achieved this milestone at the Chennai Open by defeating Polish qualifier Weronika Falkowska in straight sets. This victory marks a significant moment for Indian women's tennis and highlights Maaya's rapid rise in the professional circuit.
Seven empty railway coaches rolled unattended for nearly six kilometres from the Jolarpettai Junction railway yard before derailing near Thamaleri Muthur, disrupting train services between Bengaluru and Chennai. A major accident was averted due to a gatekeeper's timely alert.
A Chennai court has granted the Central Crime Branch three days' custody of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in connection with an alleged private schools recognition scam. The police had sought five days to investigate the money trail in the multi-crore scam, and the court has set conditions for his medical examination and legal counsel's presence during interrogation.
