Korea Masters Super 300: Ashmita Chaliha Continues Winning Run To Storm Into The Finals

Ashmita Chaliha continued her impressive run at the Korea Masters Super 300, overcoming compatriot Rakshitha Ramraj 21-13, 16-21, 21-13 in a hard-fought semifinal in Asan on Saturday.

The victory put the world No. 50 one win away from the biggest title of her career. She will face China’s Han Qianxi in Sunday’s final after Han defeated South Korea’s Kim Ga Ram 22-20, 18-21, 21-14.

Chaliha came into the semifinal full of confidence after producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets in the previous round. She had fought back from a game down to defeat Japan’s top seed and world No. 22 Hina Akechi 20-22, 21-15, 21-19 in a contest that lasted one hour and three minutes.

Against Rakshitha, Chaliha looked sharp from the opening rally. She quickly established control, moved her opponent around the court and took the first game 21-13.

Rakshitha, ranked 49th in the world, refused to let the match drift away. The Coimbatore shuttler stepped up the intensity in the second game, producing longer rallies and forcing Chaliha to work for every point. Chaliha threatened to close the gap midway through the game, but Rakshitha held firm and levelled the match at 16-21. However, the decider belonged to Chaliha.

She came out with renewed aggression and raced to an 11-3 advantage, immediately putting pressure on Rakshitha. From there, Chaliha kept her composure and did not allow her opponent a route back into the contest, closing out the match 21-13.

“It was important to stay patient and keep believing after losing the second game,” Chaliha said after the match.

Rakshitha had also shown tremendous fighting spirit earlier in the tournament, recovering from a game down to defeat third seed Tanvi Sharma 18-21, 21-19, 21-18 in 61 minutes.

Now, with the final in sight, Chaliha will look to finish a memorable week on the highest note against Han Qianxi.