AQI 1556: Chennai Open finalist blasts organisers, says they wanted match to go ahead
The women’s singles final of the Chennai Open was delayed by a day after thick smog engulfed the city, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into hazardous territory. Indonesia’s Janice Tjen was scheduled to face Poland’s Magda Linette on Sunday, November 8, but the summit clash was postponed to Monday morning amid poor visibility at the venue.
Tjen, the defending champion and world No. 75, took to Instagram to share a video showing the conditions around Chennai. A thick blanket of smog had covered the surroundings, severely reducing visibility.
The Indonesian also criticised the tournament organisers, alleging that they wanted the final to go ahead despite the poor air quality. Her post came after the singles final was called off following multiple delays on Sunday evening.
The contest, which was scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm after the conclusion of the doubles final, had already been pushed back several times because of rain. Once the showers stopped, organisers worked on drying the centre court at the SDAT Stadium in Nungambakkam and announced that play would begin at 9 pm.
However, the situation changed again as heavy smoke from Diwali fireworks engulfed the stadium, creating visibility problems. The match was subsequently called off, with both players briefly arriving at the centre court before leaving with their kit bags.
According to PTI, rain and heavy smoke from Diwali celebrations prevented the final from getting underway. The doubles final, which preceded the singles contest, had been completed without interruption.
The WTA later confirmed the postponement in an official statement, announcing that the final would be played at 11 am on Monday, November 9, the reserve day for the tournament.
“Due to unforeseen weather conditions, the Women’s Singles Final between Janice Tjen and Magda Linette has been postponed. The match will now take place tomorrow (November 9, 2026) at 11 a.m.,” the WTA said.
The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association also confirmed that spectators who had purchased valid tickets for Sunday’s matches would be allowed to use the same tickets to enter the venue on Monday.
The third edition of the WTA 250 Chennai Open has been affected by weather interruptions throughout the week. The main draw action on the opening day was completely washed out, while rain also interrupted play for an hour on the second day.
The tournament will also mark the end of Chennai’s stint on the WTA Tour calendar, at least for the foreseeable future. The event has been reallocated to Manila, Philippines, for 2027, with the growing popularity of Filipino star Alexandra Eala and the timing of the Chennai tournament, which coincides with the monsoon season, among the factors behind the move.
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