Key points
- Polina Kudermetova defeated Viktoria Morvayova 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in the Chennai Open first round on November 3, 2026.
- The match lasted approximately 96 minutes, according to match data.
- Kudermetova entered the tournament as the sixth seed and was ranked No. 93.
- Morvayova, ranked No. 323, entered the main draw as a lucky loser.
- Kudermetova won the opening set 6-3 before Morvayova levelled the match by taking the second set 6-4.
- Kudermetova closed out the deciding set 6-1 to advance to the second round of the WTA 250 event.
Sixth seed Polina Kudermetova recovered from a second-set setback to defeat Viktoria Morvayova 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in the first round of the Chennai Open on November 3, 2026. The Uzbek player needed approximately 96 minutes to overcome the Slovak lucky loser and move into the second round of the WTA 250 tournament.
Kudermetova started strongly and took the opening set, but Morvayova responded to force a decider. The sixth seed then reasserted control in the third set, winning it 6-1 to complete a three-set victory on the Chennai hard courts.
Kudermetova responds after Morvayova levels match
The match began with Kudermetova establishing an advantage. She took the first set 6-3, putting the No. 93-ranked player in front against Morvayova, who was listed at No. 323 and had entered the main draw as a lucky loser.
Morvayova did not let the opening set dictate the contest. The Slovak raised her level in the second set and won it 6-4, taking the match into a deciding third set. That response made the opening-round encounter a longer test than Kudermetova's first-set lead had suggested.
With the match level at one set apiece, Kudermetova produced a decisive final-set response. She took the third 6-1, closing out the contest and ensuring that the sixth seed avoided an early exit. Match data put the overall duration at approximately 96 minutes.
Seeded player advances in Chennai
Kudermetova came into the tournament as the sixth seed. The match listing showed her at world No. 93, while Morvayova was ranked No. 323. The ranking gap and seeding made Kudermetova the higher-ranked player on paper, but the second-set fightback from Morvayova meant the Uzbek had to earn her progress over three sets.
Morvayova's route into the main draw was also notable: she competed in Chennai as a lucky loser. Despite the difference in ranking and entry status, she took a set from the sixth seed and pushed the match into a deciding set before Kudermetova pulled away.
Player profile data lists Kudermetova's career-high singles ranking as No. 54. Her current position at the time of the Chennai match was No. 93. Morvayova's listed ranking was No. 323, which was also shown as her career-high position in the match profile information.
What the result means for the Chennai Open draw
The win sends Kudermetova into the second round of the Chennai Open, keeping the sixth seed in contention at the WTA 250 event. She will now prepare for her next match, with the opponent and scheduling details to be taken from the tournament's confirmed draw and order of play.
For Morvayova, the defeat ends her singles campaign in Chennai. Her effort to recover from a set down and force a decider provided a competitive challenge, but she could not sustain that momentum through the final set.
The match was one of the first-round contests in the tournament's November 3 schedule. The Chennai Open is played on outdoor hard courts and features players from across the WTA Tour, alongside qualifiers and lucky losers who complete the main-draw field.
A three-set test cleared by the sixth seed
Kudermetova's 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win was not a straight-sets passage, but the final-set margin gave her a clear finish after Morvayova's second-set response. The sixth seed showed the ability to reset after losing a set and secure the result without allowing the match to stretch further.
Her immediate focus turns to the second round, where the level of opposition and the tournament draw will shape the next test. The confirmed result in Chennai is a three-set victory for Kudermetova, who advances after approximately 96 minutes on court.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Polina Kudermetova vs Viktoria Morvayova match at the Chennai Open?
Polina Kudermetova defeated Viktoria Morvayova in three sets in the first round of the 2026 Chennai Open. The sixth seed won 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 on November 3 to book her place in the second round of the WTA 250 tournament.
What was the score between Kudermetova and Morvayova?
Kudermetova won the opening set 6-3, but Morvayova fought back to take the second 6-4. The Uzbek player then regained control in the deciding set, winning it 6-1 to complete a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 victory.
How long did the Chennai Open match last?
The first-round match between Polina Kudermetova and Viktoria Morvayova lasted approximately 96 minutes, according to match data. Kudermetova needed three sets to overcome the Slovak player and advance at the Chennai Open.
Was Polina Kudermetova seeded at the Chennai Open?
Yes. Kudermetova entered the 2026 Chennai Open as the sixth seed and was listed at world No. 93 for the match. Her opponent, Viktoria Morvayova, was ranked No. 323 and entered the main draw as a lucky loser.