Breakthrough Moment in Brazil for France’s Rising Star
Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah made her mark on the WTA scene with a poised and clinical performance in the São Paulo Open final, defeating Janice Tjen of Indonesia 6–3, 6–4 on September 14, 2025. In a matchup of emerging talents, it was the Frenchwoman who took control from the baseline, mixing aggression with patience to secure the biggest title of her career in just 1 hour and 27 minutes.
Despite some early service wobbles—including two double faults—Rakotomanga Rajaonah stayed mentally solid. Her return game, particularly on second serve, was the difference-maker. She won 76% of second-serve return points, turning pressure into breaks at key moments.
Janice Tjen Starts Fast, But Can’t Hold Off French Pressure
Tjen came out swinging, firing three aces in total and winning a solid 62% of first-serve points, but her inconsistency on second serve (just 24% won) unlocked the door for the French teenager. Rakotomanga Rajaonah broke serve four times, including a crucial run of five straight games across both sets that flipped the match in her favor.
The Indonesian saved 4 of 8 break points, but couldn’t hold in the pressure moments. In contrast, Rakotomanga Rajaonah saved 8 of 10, showing a calm head when it mattered. Her 67% win rate on pressure points versus Tjen’s 33% was a telling stat in a tightly contested final.
Consistency, Composure, and a Champion’s Dominance
Rakotomanga Rajaonah posted a dominance ratio of 1.19, underscoring her overall control of the match despite a lower ace count. She won more return games (4 to 2), more service games (8 to 5), and more total games (12 to 7). Her ability to maintain level-headedness, especially in long rallies and break-point battles, marks her as a name to watch on the WTA tour.
This Brazilian breakthrough may just be the beginning. Her full name to remember is Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. Keep it in mind 😉.