Teen sensation Lilli Tagger surges into Mumbai Open final against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew

Austrian rising star Lilli Tagger, the No 7 seed, reached the final of the L & T Mumbai Open by winning against Chinese Fangran Tian 6-2, 7-6 (3) on Saturday.

Tagger, currently ranked at a career-high No 128, continues a remarkable ascent in the professional ranks. The 17-year-old right-hander, who is mentored by 2010 Roland-Garros champion Francesca Schiavone, became a household name last season after capturing the 2025 French Open junior singles title.

Known for her signature one-handed backhand, Tagger is already a proven competitor on the main tour, having reached her first WTA final late last year at the Jiangxi Open.

Tagger’s challenging draw

To reach the championship match in Mumbai, Tagger navigated a challenging draw, including a stunning comeback against second seed Darja Semenistaja 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the quarter-finals. Earlier in the week, the Austrian defeated Japanese Eri Shimizu 6-2, 6-2 and Indian wildcard Vaishnavi Adkar 7-5, 6-4.

Her semi-final opponent, the world No 325 Fangran Tian, had reached the final four by upsetting No 4 seed Hanne Vandewinkel 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, as well as defeating Mei Yamaguchi 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 and Rina Saigo 6-0, 6-3.

Tagger will now face Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the final. Sawangkaew, last year’s runner-up in Mumbai, is in peak form having already claimed a W75 title in Nonthaburi this season.