RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's women's singles shuttler Putri Kusuma Wardani advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Japan Open after defeating Chinese Taipei's Huang Yu-Hsun in straight games, 21-19, 21-9.

The match marked the third meeting between the two players and lasted 35 minutes on Court 3 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Putri said she focused on maintaining concentration and playing with confidence throughout the match, applying a clear strategy to limit her opponent's attacking game.

"For today's match, I tried to stay focused and strengthen my confidence. I limited her overhead shots, but not on every point. Even when I had to lift or play a lob, I stayed confident in my next shot," said the world No. 6 women's singles player in the BWF rankings.

Putri added that Huang's playing style resembles that of a men's singles player, making the match particularly challenging. "Huang plays like a men's singles player. She has a lot of shot variations, which made it quite difficult," she said.

In the quarterfinals, Putri will face China's Wang Zhi Yi. She acknowledged the challenge of taking on one of the world's top four players but is determined to give her best.

"I will face Wang Zhi Yi. It definitely won't be easy against a top four player, but I want to give everything I have. I need to be mentally much stronger and more patient because she is not an easy opponent to break down," Putri added. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)