The Sivasagar-born shuttler defeated the three-time world champion in straight games to secure the biggest victory of her career at the BWF Super 750 tournament
New Delhi: Assam’s Ashmita Chaliha pulled off the biggest victory of her career on Wednesday, defeating Japan’s world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to storm into the quarter-finals of the French Open 2026 badminton tournament.
The 27-year-old, ranked 36th in women’s singles, beat the three-time world champion 21-19, 21-18 in 37 minutes in the round of 16.
Chaliha held her nerve in a closely contested opening game after building a lead, with Yamaguchi fighting back to level the score at 18-18. The Indian, however, maintained her composure to clinch the game 21-19.
In the second game, Chaliha pulled away after the scores were level at 7-7, using sharp defensive retrievals and forcing her opponent into unforced errors to seal the match.
Born in Sivasagar, Chaliha’s victory marks another milestone in her comeback following knee surgery. She has enjoyed an encouraging season, highlighted by her maiden BWF World Tour title at the Korea Masters Super 300.
The win also avenged her straight-games defeat to Yamaguchi at last week’s Denmark Open.
Chaliha will next face either Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara or Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, PV Sindhu also advanced to the last eight after defeating Japan’s Riko Gunji 21-12, 21-16.
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