Ashmita Chaliha Advances to BWF World Tour Final at Korea Masters
Ashmita Chaliha's Remarkable Journey
A file image of Ashmita Chaliha
Asan (South Korea), Aug 8: Badminton athlete Ashmita Chaliha has continued her impressive performance at the Korea Masters Super 300, defeating fellow Indian Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj with scores of 21-13, 16-21, 21-13 in a match lasting 48 minutes. This victory marks her first entry into a BWF World Tour final.
The 26-year-old player made her return to the sport in May after a three-month recovery from a medial meniscus tear in her right knee. Since then, she has shown remarkable form on the BWF Tour, including reaching the semifinals at the Macau Open.
Ashmita, who previously upset the top seed and world No. 22 Hina Akechi from Japan in the quarterfinals, started the match with great intensity, quickly moving from a 2-2 tie to a 6-2 lead in the first game.
She then scored five consecutive points to take a commanding 13-6 lead before finishing the first game at 21-13.
Rakshitha, who had previously defeated third seed Tanvi Sharma in the quarterfinals after coming back from a game down, responded strongly. The 19-year-old from the Pullela Gopichand Academy surged to a 4-1 lead and extended it to 12-6. However, Ashmita managed to narrow the gap to 13-12. Rakshitha maintained her composure, winning the second game 21-16 to force a deciding game.
In the final game, Ashmita regained her dominance, jumping to an 8-1 lead and maintaining her advantage to secure the match at 21-13, thus earning her spot in the BWF World Tour final.