India’s Ashmita Chaliha pulled off a stunning upset at the French Open 2026, defeating Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to enter the women’s singles quarter-finals on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Indian shuttler registered a 21-19, 21-18 victory in 37 minutes, levelling her head-to-head record against the Japanese star at 1-1.
Ashmita’s triumph was particularly impressive after her 18-21, 10-21 defeat to Yamaguchi in the round of 16 at the Denmark Open earlier this month.
The opening game witnessed a closely fought contest before Ashmita produced a decisive four-point run to establish a 14-9 lead. Yamaguchi fought back to level the score at 18-18, but the Indian held her nerve to claim the final two points and take the opening game.
Ashmita carried the momentum into the second game, racing to a 13-7 advantage. Although the former world champion attempted another comeback, the Indian shuttler maintained her composure to seal an impressive straight-game victory.
Ashmita will next face the winner of the round-of-16 clash between Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong and Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in the quarter-finals as she looks to continue her impressive run at the prestigious tournament.
