Ashmita Chaliha exits Macau Open 2026 semis, India's campaign ends
Synopsis
Ashmita Chaliha came agonisingly close — leading 15-11 in the first game — before Park Ga Eun reeled off 10 of the next 11 points to end India's best hope at Macau Open 2026. The semifinal exit, though painful, is arguably the most encouraging sign of Chaliha's recovery from a three-month injury absence that threatened to derail her season.
Key Takeaways
Ashmita Chaliha lost to South Korea's Park Ga Eun 21-17, 21-9 in the Macau Open Super 300 women's singles semifinals on 20 June 2026 .
Chaliha led 15-11 in the first game before Park won 10 of the next 11 points to turn the match around.
The defeat ended India's entire campaign at the tournament, with all singles and doubles pairs now eliminated.
Eighth seed Anmol Kharb had exited in the quarter-finals on Friday , losing to China's Han Qian Xi in three games.
Qualifiers Tharun Mannepalli and Rounak Chouhan bowed out in the pre-quarterfinals in men's singles.
India's next assignment is the US Open , beginning 23 June on the BWF World Tour.
Ashmita Chaliha's run at the Macau Open Super 300 came to an end on Saturday, 20 June, as South Korea's Park Ga Eun defeated her 21-17, 21-9 in the women's singles semifinals, wrapping up India's entire campaign at the tournament. The match lasted just 38 minutes, with Park booking her place in the final with a commanding display.
How the Match Unfolded
Chaliha made a bright start, surging to a 15-11 lead in the opening game and appearing on course to take it. However, Park produced a stunning reversal, winning 10 of the next 11 points to snatch the game and seize complete control of the contest. The second game offered little respite for the Indian, as the Korean maintained her dominance to close out the win in straight games.
Chaliha's Road to the Semis
The left-handed Indian shuttler had entered the semifinal on the back of a composed quarter-final victory over fellow Korean Kim Min Sun, winning 21-16, 21-18. In that match, she had overturned a six-point deficit in the second game by reeling off five consecutive points in a brilliant late surge to seal her place in the last four.
Notably, the semifinal appearance is a significant marker for Chaliha, who missed nearly three months of competitive action earlier this year due to injury. Prior to Macau, she had already reached the quarter-finals at both the China Masters and the Malaysia Masters, signalling a steady return to form on the BWF World Tour.
India's Broader Campaign
India's challenge in women's singles had already been dented on Friday when eighth seed Anmol Kharb fell in the quarter-finals, losing 14-21, 21-15, 21-13 to China's fourth seed Han Qian Xi despite taking the match to a deciding game. The men's singles campaign concluded even earlier, with qualifiers Tharun Mannepalli and Rounak Chouhan both exiting in the pre-quarterfinals. India's doubles pairs were also eliminated at the same stage.
What's Next for India
With the Macau campaign behind them, the Indian contingent will now turn their attention to the US Open, the next event on the BWF World Tour calendar, which gets under way on 23 June. Chaliha's semifinal run — her deepest at a Super 300 event since her injury layoff — will provide a confidence boost heading into the next tournament.
Point of View
There is no third name pushing through. With the US Open days away, the coaching staff will need to address not just fitness but the mental resilience to hold leads in high-stakes moments.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Ashmita Chaliha at the Macau Open 2026?
Ashmita Chaliha was eliminated in the women's singles semifinals of the Macau Open Super 300 on 20 June 2026, losing 21-17, 21-9 to South Korea's Park Ga Eun in 38 minutes. The defeat ended India's campaign at the tournament.
How did Park Ga Eun beat Ashmita Chaliha?
Park Ga Eun overturned a 15-11 deficit in the first game by winning 10 of the next 11 points, then dominated the second game 21-9. The Korean's remarkable mid-game turnaround left Chaliha with little opportunity to recover.
How did Ashmita Chaliha reach the semifinals?
Chaliha reached the last four by defeating fellow Korean Kim Min Sun 21-16, 21-18 in the quarter-finals. She overturned a six-point second-game deficit with five consecutive points to seal her place in the semis.
What is the significance of Chaliha's run given her injury history?
Chaliha had missed nearly three months of competitive action earlier in 2026 due to injury. Her semifinal appearance at Macau, combined with quarter-final runs at the China Masters and Malaysia Masters, signals a strong return to form on the BWF World Tour.
What is India's next BWF World Tour event after Macau?
The Indian contingent will next compete at the US Open, which begins on 23 June on the BWF World Tour calendar.
