Tjen Wins Chennai Title, Indonesia’s First WTA Champion Since 2002

In just her fourth career WTA-level event, Janice Tjen has become the first Indonesian to win a title since Angelique Widjaja at 2002 Pattaya City. 

Tjen, who defeated Caroline Werner, Linda Fruhvirtova, Mia Pohankova to reach the final, took out Australia’s Kimberly Birrell, 6-4, 6-3. 

Tjen saved 12 of 13 break points in set one, and weathered a late push from Birrell to close out the victory.

At this year’s US Open, where she upset Veronika Kudermetova in the first round on her main draw debut, Tjen, who played college tennis at the University of Oregon and Pepperdine University, said that she was on the fence about trying a professional career two years ago.

“I studied sociology,” she told reporters. “I think during my college years I was always contemplating if I should go for it; should I not. And I think at the end, I decided to try it out. The coaches at Pepperdine told me ‘I think you should give it a try, at least for two years.’

“So I trusted them, and here I am.”

Tjen, who has said she modelled her game after former world No.1 Ash Barty, loves to attack and come to the net. 

The 23-year-old has done that well during her first season on tour, and now boasts a 10-3 overall record. 

It was a great day for Indonesian tennis, as Tjen paired with Aldila Sutjiadi to take the doubles title as well.