PV Sindhu Makes History by Reaching Japan Open Semifinals

PV Sindhu has made a remarkable achievement by reaching the semifinals of the Japan Open, marking the first time in 15 years that an Indian woman has accomplished this. After a walkover from her opponent, she is now set to face a tough challenge against China's Chen Yufei. With consistent performances this year, Sindhu aims to secure her first title since December 2024. Read on to learn more about her journey and upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 17, 2026, 14:04 IST

Sindhu's Remarkable Achievement at Japan Open

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has made headlines by reaching the semifinals of the Japan Open, a prestigious BWF Super 750 tournament, on July 17. This marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first Indian woman in 15 years to achieve this feat. Sindhu advanced to the semifinals after her opponent, former Japanese world champion Nozomi Okuhara, withdrew from their quarterfinal match, granting Sindhu a walkover and allowing her to progress to the last four for the first time in her career.

The last Indian player to reach the semifinals at the Japan Open was Saina Nehwal in 2011, making Sindhu's accomplishment a notable moment for Indian badminton. In earlier rounds, Sindhu showcased her skills by defeating Malaysia's Wong Ling Ching with a score of 21-14, 21-11 in the first round, followed by a victory over World No. 5 Han Yue from China in straight games (21-16, 21-14) in just 35 minutes.

Currently, Sindhu is on the hunt for her first title since winning the Syed Modi India International in December 2024. Despite her consistent performances, a title has remained elusive. In 2026, she reached the semifinals at both the Malaysia Open Super 1000 and the Australian Open Super 300, along with quarterfinal appearances in three other events. Her strong showing this year has propelled her back into the top 10 of the world rankings after nearly three years.

As she prepares for her next challenge, Sindhu is set to face China's Chen Yufei, who has won their last five encounters. This upcoming match presents a significant hurdle for Sindhu as she aims to secure her place in the final of the Japan Open for the first time.