A pair of first-time finalists will square off for the trophy on Sunday in Sao Paulo, as Indonesia’s Janice Tjen and Madagascar’s Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah each booked milestone victories on Saturday.
Tjen, 23, battled past Great Britain’s Francesca Jones, 7-6(0), 6-3, in one hour and 32 minutes to become just the third Indonesian woman to reach a WTA final in the Open Era. The former Pepperdine standout has made a fast transition from college tennis to the tour, and her breakthrough week continues in Brazil.
Tjen fired eight aces and won 89 percent of her first-serve points.
Tjen is 63-12 across all levels in 2025, and is playing her second tour-level event after making her debut at the U.S. Open last month.
“It’s special,” Tjen said after the match. “It’s my first WTA tournament outside of a Grand Slam, and being able to reach the final is a bonus. But at the end of the day, it’s just another match so I’ll see how I do tomorrow.”
Tjen will bid to make history for her country on Sunday. The last Indonesian to win a WTA title was Widjaja at 2002 Pattaya City. She is already the first Indonesian to reach a WTA final since 2002.
Awaiting her in Sunday’s final is 19-year-old Rakotomanga Rajaonah, ranked 230, who powered past Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, 6-3, 6-2, in one hour and 20 minutes. The French teenager, contesting just her third main-draw appearance at tour level, and first on a hard court.
The Sao Paulo final promises to deliver a fresh champion, no matter the result. For both women, it’s already a week they’ll never forget.
