Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Ashmita Chaliha continued her impressive comeback at the Korea Masters Super 300, overcoming teenage compatriot Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj 21-13, 16-21, 21-13 in a 48-minute semifinal to reach her maiden BWF World Tour final in Iksan on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Indian, who returned to competition in May after a three-month layoff following a medial meniscus tear in her right knee, has now put together another significant run on the BWF Tour. Her campaign includes a stunning quarterfinal victory over top seed and world No. 22 Hina Akechi of Japan.
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Ashmita will now play for her maiden World Tour title, having already matched the best run of her comeback season after reaching the semifinals of the Macau Open.
ASHMlTA REGAINS CONTROL
The semifinal began with Ashmita immediately looking to dictate the pace. After the two players traded points to 2-2, she pulled away to a 6-2 advantage and steadily extended her lead.
Rakshitha struggled to contain Ashmita’s early attacking intent as the senior Indian moved from 8-4 to 13-6, including a five-point run that gave her a commanding advantage. Ashmita maintained control through the closing stages and wrapped up the opening game 21-13.
The 19-year-old Rakshitha, however, responded impressively in the second game.
The Pullela Gopichand Academy trainee raced to a 4-1 lead and continued to put Ashmita under pressure, opening up a 12-6 advantage. Ashmita gradually worked her way back into the contest and reduced the deficit to just one point at 12-13, threatening to turn the game around.
Rakshitha held her nerve when it mattered. She stopped Ashmita’s comeback, regained her momentum and closed out the second game 21-16 to force a decider.
Ashmita made sure there would be no repeat of the second game. She exploded out of the blocks in the decider, racing to an 8-1 lead and immediately putting Rakshitha on the back foot.
The teenager tried to fight her way back, but Ashmita kept control of the rallies and maintained a sizeable advantage. Her attacking game remained effective as she moved through the latter stages without allowing Rakshitha to mount another serious comeback.
Ashmita eventually closed out the decider 21-13, raising her arms after completing another important step in her comeback.
The victory also continued a remarkable run for the Indian at the Korea Masters. After knocking out the top seed in the quarterfinals, Ashmita has now accounted for another compatriot who had arrived in the semifinal with confidence of her own after upsetting third seed Tanvi Sharma in the previous round.
For Ashmita, the victory means a first BWF World Tour final and another milestone since returning from injury. The 26-year-old will now have an opportunity to cap her comeback with the biggest title of her career.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
