PV Sindhu Triumphs at Japan Open, Ending Four-Year Title Drought
Historic Victory for PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu expressed her joy after securing a significant BWF World Tour title at the Japan Open on July 19, marking the end of a four-year wait. Her last major victory was at the Singapore Open, a Super 500 event, in 2022, after which she faced numerous early exits. Although she managed to clinch a Super 300 title at the Syed Modi India International in December 2024, a higher-tier title had eluded her until now.
On Sunday, she made history by winning the Japan Open, a Super 750 event, becoming the first Indian player to achieve this feat. In the final, she defeated the reigning world champion and local favorite Akane Yamaguchi in straight games with scores of 21-17, 21-17. This victory not only ended her title drought but also reaffirmed her confidence in her training under Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama. At 31, Sindhu is now the oldest female singles player to win a World Tour title.
"I am very, very happy and at a loss for words," Sindhu remarked to BWF following her win. "It had been 19 months since my last victory at the Syed Modi International, and this win was crucial for me. Reaching the final is one thing, but winning and standing on the podium to receive that gold is an entirely different experience," she added.
Dominant Performance
The match was not without its challenges. Yamaguchi, ranked World No. 3, was competing in her sixth Japan Open final in front of her home crowd, while Sindhu had not secured a victory against her in a completed match for four years. Their previous encounter at the Malaysia Open earlier this year ended prematurely when Yamaguchi retired after the first game. Sindhu's last complete match victory over Yamaguchi was at the Thailand Open in 2022.
Throughout the match, Sindhu showcased her commanding presence. Her exceptional net control forced Yamaguchi to lift the shuttle frequently, allowing Sindhu to finish points with powerful cross-court and body smashes. Sindhu initially took a 3-0 lead, but Yamaguchi quickly leveled the score at 3-3 and later at 17-17. The first game remained tightly contested, with both players exchanging points.
In the second game, Sindhu surged ahead with a seven-point lead at 14-7, but Yamaguchi fought back to narrow the gap to 14-12. Nevertheless, Sindhu maintained her lead with two strong smashes, moving ahead to 17-14. With Yamaguchi making several errors and Sindhu capitalizing on every opportunity, the Indian player dropped to her knees in tears, overwhelmed by the release of years of frustration and doubt.
Reflecting on her performance, Sindhu stated, "You never know what will happen. Even when I was leading, I made mistakes. Staying calm and focused on each point was crucial. I had to remain positive throughout. Against top players, you cannot afford to relax. Maintaining my aggressiveness was essential. I couldn't control my emotions at the end. Winning those long rallies was significant for me."
Yamaguchi, visibly disappointed, commented, "I am very upset. I have no injuries, but I felt a bit fatigued from my earlier matches, which affected my speed. I tried to defend, but her attacks were too strong. Sindhu played exceptionally well, being aggressive and delivering powerful smashes."