PV Sindhu Makes History by Winning Japan Open for the First Time

Historic Victory at Japan Open

PV Sindhu has etched her name in history by clinching the Japan Open title, defeating the reigning three-time World Champion Akane Yamaguchi with scores of 21-17, 21-17 in the final match. This victory marks her first title in the Super 750 Series and ends a 21-month period without a championship. The last time the prominent Indian badminton player secured a World Tour title was at the Syed Modi International in 2024. Additionally, at 31 years old, she has surpassed Tai Tzu Ying, who won the India Open at 29 years and six months, becoming the oldest WS Super 750 champion. Sindhu's remarkable journey to the final included a victory over World No. 4 Chen Yufei of China, who had to retire in the semifinals due to a hamstring injury. Sindhu also benefited from a walkover in the quarterfinals after her opponent withdrew. Despite her recent struggles against Yamaguchi, having lost five of their last six encounters, Sindhu delivered an outstanding performance in the final.

Match Highlights

Sindhu began the match with impressive momentum, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead. However, Yamaguchi responded effectively, matching Sindhu point for point. At 17-17, the first set was on a knife-edge, but Sindhu maintained her composure to secure the lead. The second set saw Sindhu start strong again, racing to a 14-7 advantage before Yamaguchi mounted a comeback, narrowing the score to 18-17. Nevertheless, Sindhu displayed remarkable resilience, ultimately winning the set and the match, thus claiming a historic title.

Celebrating the Win

After her victory, Sindhu shared touching moments with Yamaguchi and her coach, Irwansyah. She captured a selfie with Yamaguchi and invited her coach to join her on stage. Since Irwansyah became part of Sindhu's team in early 2025, she has shown remarkable improvement and determination.