Surprisingly, all four semifinalists in Chennai are players yet to claim a title, each facing a breakthrough opportunity.

As everyone knows, the tour events are high-level tennis tournaments. Because of this, those who advance far usually have more experience and have won titles on the tour before. However, there are always exceptions. This week at the ATP250 Chennai event in India, none of the four semifinalists have ever won a tour-level title. So, who are these four players? How have they performed in the 2025 season? Which opponents did they defeat to reach the semifinals in Chennai? Today, this article will take you through their journeys.

At the start of the 2025 season, Indonesian player Zeng Limi was ranked outside the top 400 worldwide. Since winning the Hope tournament in Korea in early May, she has been unstoppable, capturing six titles in a row. This impressive run propelled her into the top 100. This week, Zeng Limi appeared at the WTA250 Chennai Open.

In the first round, Zeng Limi fought hard over three sets to defeat German qualifier C. Werner and advance; in the second round, despite losing the first set, she came back to win two sets against Czech player Lin-Fruviltova, who had previously reached a Grand Slam round of 16, moving into the quarterfinals; in the quarters, Zeng Limi dominated Slovakian player Pohankova, securing her second career tour semifinal appearance.

Compared to Zeng Limi, fans are undoubtedly more familiar with Thai player Lanlana. This player reached two finals in the 2025 season but lost both times, finishing as runner-up. This week, Lanlana won her first-round match after her Uzbek opponent retired while trailing in the second set; in the second round, she came from behind to beat top seed and Turkish player Senmez, reaching the quarterfinals; in the quarters, Lanlana swept past Russian player P. Iatcenko to reach her first career tour semifinal.

Compared to Lanlana and Zeng Limi, Australian player Biler started the 2025 season at a much higher level. Last season, she reached a tour final but was swept by Dutch player Ramens, missing out on the title. This season, Biler has already won a Challenger event and has maintained a world ranking mostly within the top 100.

This week at the Chennai Open, Biler overcame a tough first-round match against Czech player Bartonkova in a comeback win; in the second round, she won in straight sets against Indian player S. Bhamidipaty to reach the quarterfinals; in the quarters, Biler played exceptionally well, conceding only four games to Croatian Olympic silver medalist Vikic, advancing to her first tour semifinal of the 2025 season.

Taiwanese player Joanna Gerlancho was the first to claim a title in the 2025 season, winning five consecutive matches to take the championship at the Nairobi Hope tournament in early January. Later, in March, she secured another ten-match winning streak at the Hope event in Italy, capturing back-to-back titles. She has since improved her world ranking by nearly two hundred places.

This week, Joanna Gerlancho defeated Dutch qualifier Hartono, Japanese player Yamaguchi Me, and lucky loser Australian player A. Rodionova at the Chennai Open, reaching her first career tour semifinal. Objectively, compared to the other three players, her path to the semifinals was slightly less challenging.

Since none of these four players have previously won a tour title, their joint presence in the semifinals represents a major career breakthrough opportunity for each. The latest update: Zeng Limi defeated Lanlana in a tiebreak in the semifinals; meanwhile, Biler came from behind after losing the first set to overturn Joanna Gerlancho and advance.

The two players who have previously reached tour finals will now compete in the championship match for their first career tour title. Who will emerge victorious? Let us wait and see. That’s today’s tennis story, with more to come tomorrow.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yixin Jushi)