Paris: India’s PV Sindhu and Ashmita Chaliha reached the women’s singles quarter-finals of the French Open badminton tournament with straight-game victories on Friday, keeping alive the country’s challenge in Paris.

Unseeded Ashmita produced the biggest upset of the day, overcoming world No. 2 and third seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-19, 21-18 in just 37 minutes. Her composed performance against one of the tournament favourites earned her a place in the last eight.

Sindhu, a former world champion, was equally convincing. She defeated Japan’s Riko Gunji 21-12, 21-16 in 44 minutes, controlling the rallies and closing out the match without dropping a game.

In Friday’s quarter-finals, Ashmita will face Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara, while Sindhu will take on Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian. Both Indian players will be seeking a place in the semi-finals of the Super 750 event.

India’s campaign, however, suffered setbacks in the pre-quarter-finals. Tanvi Sharma lost to world No. 1 and South Korea’s An Se Young in the women’s singles, while Ayush Shetty retired hurt during his men’s singles match against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.

With Sindhu bringing experience and Ashmita carrying momentum from her upset win, India will have two representatives in the women’s singles quarter-finals. Their performances have strengthened hopes of a strong finish at the French Open, even as the men’s and younger women’s challenges ended earlier than expected.