PV Sindhu Storms Into French Open Semifinals, Ashmita Chaliha Bows Out

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu stormed into the women’s singles semifinals of the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament with a straight-game victory on Friday, while Ashmita Chaliha bowed out after a hard-fought quarterfinal battle.

The former world champion needed just 39 minutes to defeat Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-chian 21-13, 21-14, keeping her maiden French Open title hopes alive. World No. 11 Sindhu is now the only Indian remaining in the tournament and will face Japan’s Hina Akechi in the semifinals.

Sindhu said she had learned valuable lessons from her opening-round encounter against Thailand’s Supanida Katethong, where she allowed a substantial lead to slip before securing victory. The Indian remained focused against Chiu, refusing to take her opponent lightly despite holding the advantage.

“I think I've learned my lesson in the first round,” Sindhu said after the match, explaining how the experience helped her remain alert until the final point.

Sindhu is aiming to win the French Open for the first time. Her progress in Paris also offers a timely boost after a surprise first-round defeat to Germany’s Yvonne Li at the Denmark Open last week.

Meanwhile, Chaliha’s impressive campaign ended against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara, a former world champion and Olympic bronze medallist. The 27-year-old Indian, ranked world No. 36, lost 10-21, 21-17, 16-21 in a closely contested three-game encounter.

Chaliha had grabbed attention by defeating Japan’s three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi in the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday. However, she could not overcome Okuhara.

With Chaliha eliminated, Sindhu will carry India’s challenge forward as she seeks a place in the final and a long-awaited French Open crown.