PV Sindhu Finishes as Runner-Up at the 2026 French Open

PV Sindhu, the double Olympic medalist, finished as the runner-up at the 2026 French Open after a tough match against world No. 1 An Se Young. Despite her loss, Sindhu's performance highlighted her competitive spirit and skill, as she aims for improvement in future tournaments. This match marked a significant moment in her career, reflecting her growth and determination in the sport. With her recent achievements, including a title at the Japan Open, Sindhu is poised for a promising season ahead. Read on to explore her journey and insights from the final.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 25, 2026, 19:38 IST

PV Sindhu's Journey at the French Open 2026

PV Sindhu, a double Olympic medalist, concluded her campaign at the French Open 2026 as the runner-up after a defeat against South Korea's world No. 1, An Se Young, in the women's singles final. Following the match, Sindhu emphasized the importance of giving her all when competing against elite players, stating, "To compete with top athletes, you must be at your best for every point and fight hard throughout the match."

Match Overview and Performance Insights

In the final held at Arena Grand Paris, Sindhu faced a challenging match, ultimately losing with scores of 21-16, 11-21, 12-21. She began strongly, showcasing impressive intensity and court control from the start. Taking advantage of early mistakes from the reigning champion, Sindhu managed to level the score at 11-all before securing the first game 21-16. This marked only the second occasion in their 11 encounters that she won a game against the Korean star.

Dynamics of the Second and Third Games

An Se Young responded with her characteristic consistency in the second game. After a closely contested start, she dominated with a series of points, winning 21-11 and forcing a decisive third game. The momentum continued in her favor during the final game, where, after a 9-9 tie, An's exceptional court coverage and defensive skills allowed her to pull ahead and finish the match in 61 minutes.

Future Prospects and Seasonal Overview

Reaching the final marked Sindhu's second appearance in a BWF World Tour Super 750 final this season, following her victory at the Japan Open in July. Her journey to the final also represented the 10th instance of an Indian player reaching the championship round of a BWF World Tour event (Super 300 and above) outside India this year. Reflecting on her recent performance, Sindhu expressed contentment but acknowledged the need for further improvement, stating, "I am looking forward to delivering better badminton in upcoming tournaments. While I am pleased with this performance, I believe there is still much room for growth." This achievement also surpassed the previous record of nine finals set in 2023, marking 2026 as a landmark year for Indian representation on the international badminton circuit.