TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesian tennis player Janice Tjen has advanced to the final round of the US Open 2025 qualifiers, putting her just one win away from a historic spot in the main draw of the Grand Slam.
In the second qualifying round on Thursday (Friday WIB, August 22), Janice defeated Poland’s Maja Chwaliska in straight sets 7-5, 7-5 at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, New York.
The Jakarta-born player staged a comeback from 3-5 down in the first set, saving two set points before clinching the opener. According to US Open statistics, she fired five aces and five winners, winning a total of 78 points in the one-hour-45-minute battle.
This victory marked her 99th career win since graduating from Pepperdine University in May 2025, as noted by the WTA.
Facing Top Seed Aoi Ito Next
Janice now faces her biggest challenge yet against third-seeded Aoi Ito of Japan, who defeated Spain’s Maristany Zuleta De Reales 6-0, 1-6, 6-1.
Both players are in top form. Ito shocked the tennis world this summer with upsets over World No.8 Jasmine Paolini at the WTA 1000 Montreal and former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, Janice has enjoyed a breakout season. She was runner-up at the ITF W75 Lexington and ITF W100 Landisville in back-to-back weeks earlier this month, results that helped her climb into the WTA Top 200 and secure a US Open qualifying slot. She also earned back-to-back ITF Player of the Month awards in May and June, highlighted by a remarkable 42-set winning streak.
Aiming for Indonesian Tennis History
Currently ranked 147th in the WTA, Janice is seeking to become the first Indonesian player to reach a Grand Slam main draw since Angelique Widjaja at the 2004 US Open.
Both Janice and Ito bring contrasting styles to the court. Ito relies on her aggressive backhand and slices to disrupt opponents, while Janice uses a precise mix of forehand and backhand slices—drawing comparisons to her idol, Ashleigh Barty.
Her next match will determine whether she breaks a two-decade wait for Indonesia at tennis’s biggest stage.
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