PV Sindhu secured a place in the semi-finals of the French Open 2026 after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian 21-13, 21-14 in Paris on Friday, 23 October. The Indian shuttler controlled the quarter-final through her attacking play and defensive discipline, winning in straight games without allowing her opponent to build sustained pressure. The result takes Sindhu into the last four of the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament for the first time in her career. However, Ashmita Chaliha could not join her compatriot, losing to Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in three games.

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PV Sindhu Controls Quarter-Final Against Chiu

Sindhu made good use of her attacking strengths, combining round-the-head smashes with solid defence to keep Chiu under pressure. Her 21-13, 21-14 victory reflected the Indian’s control across both games, leaving her just two wins away from claiming her maiden French Open title. The two-time Olympic medallist has already won the Japan Open Super 750 this season. Another title in Paris would give PV Sindhu her second BWF World Tour crown of 2026 and provide a further boost ahead of the season’s remaining competitions. Her route to the semi-finals has not been entirely straightforward. Sindhu survived a stern test against Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the round of 32, eventually winning the deciding game 23-21 after letting a substantial lead slip. She then defeated Japan’s Riko Gunji 21-12, 21-16 in the round of 16, showing greater control in the closing stages.

PV Sindhu Awaits Semi-Final Opponent

PV Sindhu will face either Thailand’s Putri Kusuma Wardani or Japan’s Hina Aakechi in the semi-finals. Their quarter-final result will determine her next opponent as she continues her campaign in the French Open 2026. World number one An Se Young has also reached the last four and is scheduled to meet Okuhara. A meeting between Sindhu and the South Korean remains a possibility in the final, provided both players win their respective semi-final matches. PV Sindhu is now India’s sole remaining representative in the tournament. Her performance against Chiu gives her a chance to pursue a title that has so far eluded her, but the remaining rounds will demand the same level of consistency.

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Ashmita Chaliha Exits After Okuhara Defeat

Ashmita’s campaign ended despite a strong showing earlier in the competition. The Indian had produced one of the tournament’s notable results by defeating world number two and three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-19, 21-18 in the round of 16. However, Okuhara proved a tougher challenge in the quarter-final. The Japanese shuttler won the opening game 21-10 before Chaliha responded with a 21-17 victory to force a decider. Okuhara regained control in the third game, winning 21-16 to secure her place in the semi-finals. The defeat ends Chaliha’s run, but her win over Yamaguchi remains a significant result from her French Open 2026 campaign. For India, attention now turns to PV Sindhu, whose next match will determine whether she moves one step closer to the Paris title.

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