Ashmita Chaliha savours ‘special feeling’ after beating Akane Yamaguchi to reach French Open quarters

Ashmita Chaliha will face Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in the quarterfinals of French Open 2026. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ashmita Chaliha said that it “feels unreal” after beating Japanese world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi in the round of 16 at the French Open 2026 on Thursday.

The 27-year-old won the match 21-19, 21-18 in 37 minutes to advance to the quarterfinals, where she will face Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara.

“Honestly, it feels unreal. I’m still trying to sink it all in. Beating a player like Akane, who has achieved so much in this sport, is a really special feeling,” Ashmita said.

“Having come through a difficult phase, this win means a lot to me. It gives me confidence and reminds me that all the hard work is paying off. I’m just really happy and proud of myself today,” she added.

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Ashmita noted that she learned from her defeat against Yamaguchi in the round of 16 at the Denmark Open earlier this month.

“Having played her just last week in Denmark, I knew what to expect, and I tried to learn from that match rather than think too much about the result. I just wanted to enjoy and play my best game,” she said.

“And today I focused on being more patient, staying composed, and taking my chances whenever they came. Against a player like Akane, you cannot afford to switch off for even a moment, so I tried to stay focused throughout the match and trust my game. I’m really glad I could execute my plans today and turn things around,” Ashmita added.