The Indian made an impressive start in the opening game, taking an 18-14 lead before Yamaguchi fought back to level the score at 18-18. Chaliha held her nerve in the closing stages to claim the game 21-19.
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Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha registered the biggest victory of her career by defeating world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the second round of the Badminton French Open 2026 on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Indian beat the three-time world champion 21-19, 21-18 in 37 minutes to secure her place in the quarter-finals of the BWF Super 750 tournament.
Chaliha said the victory was particularly special after a difficult phase in her career, adding that the result had boosted her confidence.
“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,” she said.
Chaliha added that the win had reassured her that her hard work was beginning to pay off.
Ranked 36th in the world, the Indian had lost to Yamaguchi in straight games at the Denmark Open last week. However, she used that experience to prepare for their rematch in Paris.
Chaliha said she focused on staying patient, maintaining her composure and making the most of her opportunities rather than dwelling on the previous defeat.
The Indian made an impressive start in the opening game, taking an 18-14 lead before Yamaguchi fought back to level the score at 18-18. Chaliha held her nerve in the closing stages to claim the game 21-19.
The second game remained competitive in the early exchanges, with both players level at 7-7. Chaliha then stepped up her game to establish control and seal the match in straight games.
Her solid defence and consistent returns kept Yamaguchi under pressure, with the Japanese shuttler also committing several unforced errors.
Chaliha, who won her maiden BWF World Tour title at the Korea Masters Super 300 earlier this year, will next face either Japan's former world champion Nozomi Okuhara or Thailand's world No. 8 Pornpawee Chochuwong in the quarter-finals.
Yamaguchi had finished runner-up at the World Championships in New Delhi earlier this year, losing to South Korea's An Se Young in the final.
Meanwhile, India's two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu also advanced to the women's singles quarter-finals after defeating Japan's Riko Gunji 21-12, 21-16 in 44 minutes.