Guwahati: Skipper Ashmita Chaliha led the Assam charge from the front marching into the pre-quarterfinals of the girls' under-19 singles in the 42nd Junior National Badminton Championship at Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium here on Friday.

The third seed prevailed over Uttar Pradesh opponent Shailja Shukla 21-7, 21-14 to book a berth in the round of 16.

Chimran Kalita and Isharani Baruah made it to the girls' under-17 singles round of 32 winning their second-round matches against Tanishka Deshpande of Maharashtra (21-16, 21-9) and Akshaya Arumugam of Tamil Nadu (16-21, 21-12, 21-17) respectively.

Promising youngster Debahuti Lahon was the third Assam girl to enter the under-17 girls' singles third round beating Laldingpuii Ralte of Mizoram 21-13, 21-6.

Sixth seed Assam boy Iman Sonowal entered the under-17 boys' singles third round defeating Meghalaya's Andrew Lotzem 21-12, 21-16.

Sub-junior national champion Tanmoy Bikash Boruah also made a second round exit in the under-17 boys' singles.