Ashmita Chaliha storms into Macau Open semifinals after stunning comeback win

Ashmita Chaliha spirited run at the Macau Open Super 300 badminton tournament concluded with a hard-fought loss in the women's singles semifinals on Saturday, bringing India's campaign to an end. The Indian shuttler, ranked 63rd globally, fell to South Korea's Park Ga-eun, world No. 61, in straight games with a score of 21-17, 21-9 in a 38-minute encounter. This defeat marks only Ashmita's second semi-final appearance on the BWF World Tour, showcasing her growing presence on the international circuit. This semi-final exit, while a setback, underscores the increasing momentum for Chaliha, especially after battling a three-month injury layoff earlier this year. Her journey to the Macau Open semis, following back-to-back quarter-final finishes at the China Masters and Malaysia Masters, highlights a consistent upward trajectory and a return to strong form. The Macau Open, a BWF Super 300 event, offers crucial ranking points and a substantial prize pool of US$370,000, making a deep run significant for emerging talents like Chaliha looking to climb the Badminton World Federation rankings. Her strategic quarterfinal victory against Korea's Kim Min Sun, where she showed resilience after trailing in the second game, set the stage for this high-stakes semi-final clash. Looking ahead, Chaliha's performance in Macau provides valuable experience and confidence as she prepares for her next assignment, the US Open, which kicks off on June 23. This consistent showing at BWF World Tour events is crucial for her long-term development and her aim to challenge higher-ranked players more regularly. The focus will now shift to refining her game and converting these strong semi-final appearances into title wins, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of Indian badminton beyond its established stars.