Janice Tjen delivered a breakthrough efficiency on the SP Open on Friday, defeating 61st-ranked Alexandra Eala 6-4, 6-1 to achieve her first WTA semifinal in simply her second tour-level occasion.
The 23-year-old Indonesian, who starred in school tennis at Pepperdine, confirmed resilience early, rallying from 3-0 down within the opening set earlier than profitable 12 of the ultimate 14 video games. With the victory, she continues a fast rise that started simply over a 12 months in the past when she graduated from Pepperdine College.
Tjen made her main-draw debut on the US Open this summer time, the place she notched her first win at a significant. The then-149-ranked upset No. 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, within the first spherical, earlier than dropping to Emma Raducanu in spherical two.
Tjen was the primary Indonesian lady to win a match at a significant since 2003 Wimbledon, and he or she’s as much as 130 on this planet this week, and 115 within the dwell rankings after her win immediately.
Her run in São Paulo marks one other milestone: she is the primary Indonesian to achieve a WTA semifinal in 23 years, since Angelique Widjaja lifted the trophy at Pattaya Metropolis in 2002.
Tjen has been on hearth since turning professional, compiling a 62-12 report in 2025, and an general 103-15 mark throughout all ranges since final June.
“It nonetheless feels unbelievable to me, it nonetheless hasn’t hit but,” mentioned Tjen afterwards. “[I was] specializing in each level — particularly taking part in in opposition to Alex Eala, everyone knows she will be able to come again at any time — simply attempting to focus and keep in it ’til the tip.”
Subsequent up, Tjen will face Britain’s Francesca Jones within the semifinals. On the opposite aspect of the draw, Renata Zarazua will tackle Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
