Ashmita Chaliha reaches maiden BWF World Tour final with Korea Masters semifinal win

Ashmita Chaliha beat Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj 21-13, 16-21, 21-13 in a 48-minute semifinal at the Korea Masters Super 300 in Iksan on Saturday to reach her first BWF World Tour final. The 26-year-old returned to competition in May after a three-month layoff following a medial meniscus tear in her right knee.

Chaliha’s run in Iksan includes a quarterfinal victory over top seed and world No. 22 Hina Akechi of Japan and has matched the best result of her comeback season after reaching the Macau Open semifinals. Her opponent in the semis, 19-year-old Rakshitha, had reached the last four after upsetting third seed Tanvi Sharma and trains at the Pullela Gopichand Academy.

The opening game was controlled by Chaliha, who moved from 2-2 to 6-2 before extending her lead; she progressed from 8-4 to 13-6 with a five-point run and closed out the first game 21-13.

Rakshitha mounted a strong response in the second game, racing to a 4-1 start and building a 12-6 advantage; Chaliha narrowed the gap to 12-13 but Rakshitha regained momentum and took the set 21-16.

Chaliha began the decider quickly, charging to an 8-1 lead and keeping control of the rallies as Rakshitha attempted to fight back; Chaliha completed the match 21-13 and raised her arms after sealing the win.

The victory secures Chaliha a place in her first BWF World Tour final and presents her with the chance to win her maiden World Tour title, an opportunity she can use to cap the comeback that began with her return in May.