RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian women's singles shuttler Putri Kusuma Wardani finally turned the tide in her rivalry with China’s Wang Zhi Yi, claiming her first victory in eight meetings during the quarterfinals of the Japan Open 2026.

The sixth seed fought back from a shaky start to win 9‑21, 21‑17, 21‑4 in Tokyo on Friday, July 17, 2026, marking a breakthrough moment in her career.

The win was not just about advancing to the semifinals but about overcoming a psychological barrier. Putri had lost all seven previous encounters against Wang, often faltering in deciding games. This time, she held her nerve.

“Alhamdulillah (All Praises to Allah), it feels such a relief to finally beat Wang Zhi Yi. Usually I could only take one game before losing the decider against her, An Se Young, or Akane. But today I managed to win, so I am very happy,” Putri said in a statemen released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), as quoted by Antara.

After dropping the opening game, Putri adjusted her approach in the second. She raised her intensity, matched Wang’s tempo, and focused on rhythm rather than the scoreline. “In the first game Wang played very well, her pressure was strong and I struggled with her returns," she said.

"In the second game I tried to match her pace. My coach reminded me to raise the energy, which wasn’t visible in the first game. I focused on that without thinking too much about the result, and slowly I found the rhythm and rallies,” she added.

Her dominance in the decider was emphatic. With tight defense and unwavering concentration, Putri raced to a commanding 21‑4 finish. She credited mental strength as the key factor.

“One of the most important things is mental focus. It cannot slip even a little. I tried to hold on, and although it was exhausting, the result is very important for the matches ahead,” Putri noted.

The victory sets up a semifinal clash with Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, a formidable opponent playing on home soil. Putri acknowledged the challenge but sees her win over Wang as a confidence boost.

“Tomorrow, I face Akane, which will not be easy, especially in her own country. I need to stay focused and more confident, and today’s win gives me extra motivation,” she concluded. ***