French Open 2026: Chaliha and Sharma reach last 16

Asmita Chaliha and Tanvi Sharma moved into the women’s singles round of 16 at the French Open 2026 in Paris on Tuesday, while India’s women’s and men’s doubles challenges suffered opening-round exits.

Chaliha defeated China’s Hang Qian Xi in straight games, winning 21-18, 24-22 in 39 minutes. Sharma also progressed without dropping a game, overcoming compatriot Isharani Baruah 21-12, 21-12 in 32 minutes.

The two singles victories ensured Indian representation in the next round of the women’s draw. The day was less successful in doubles, however, as Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand were eliminated in the round of 32 and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also exited in the opening round.

Chaliha and Sharma deliver straight-game wins

Chaliha’s match against Hang went beyond a routine two-game result, with the second game extending to 24-22. After taking the opener 21-18, Chaliha completed the victory in the extra points of the second game to secure her place in the round of 16.

The 39-minute win gave Chaliha a direct route into the next stage of the French Open. Her scoreline reflected a close contest, particularly in the second game, but she held on to finish the match in two games.

Sharma’s route was more straightforward against Isharani. She won both games by the same 21-12 margin, completing the all-Indian women’s singles contest in 32 minutes.

That result confirmed Sharma’s progression alongside Chaliha. With both players through, India had two women’s singles competitors advancing from Tuesday’s action in Paris.

The opening-day results also set up the next phase of the Indian campaign. PV Sindhu, Devika Sihag and Unnati Hooda are scheduled to begin their women’s singles campaigns on Wednesday. Lakshya Sen is also due to be in action in men’s singles.

In another Indian matchup, Ayush Shetty and Kidambi Srikanth will face each other in the opening round. The Panda sisters complete the Indian line-up in women’s doubles.

Doubles pairs bow out in opening round

Treesa and Gayatri were beaten 17-21, 18-21 by Chinese Taipei pair Lin Chih-Chun and Yang Chu Yun in the round of 32. The Indian pair fell in straight games and did not advance beyond their first match of the tournament.

Satwiksairaj and Chirag were also eliminated after a three-game contest against France’s Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov. The Indian men’s doubles pair lost 19-21, 21-18, 13-21 in a match that lasted just over an hour.

After dropping the first game 19-21, Satwiksairaj and Chirag responded by taking the second 21-18 to force a decider. The French pair, however, claimed the final game 21-13 to close out the opening-round contest.

The mixed set of results leaves Chaliha and Sharma as Tuesday’s Indian women’s singles winners, while the remaining Indian players will look to add further progress when their French Open campaigns begin on Wednesday.