Tokyo: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu produced one of her finest performances in recent years to capture her maiden Japan Open crown, defeating home favourite Akane Yamaguchi in straight games on Sunday. The victory marks Sindhu’s first Super 750 title and makes her the first Indian shuttler to lift the prestigious tournament trophy.
The two-time Olympic medallist prevailed 21-17, 21-17, displaying a blend of aggressive stroke play, sharp net control and tactical maturity against the three-time world champion in front of the Japanese crowd.
The triumph also ends Sindhu’s title drought stretching beyond two years and is regarded as her most significant tournament victory since winning the BWF World Championships in 2019. Her last international title came at the Syed Modi International in 2024.
Facing an opponent who had dominated her in recent completed encounters, Sindhu took control from the opening exchanges. Rather than relying solely on powerful smashes, she patiently built rallies, forcing Yamaguchi onto the defensive before finishing points with precision.
The opening game saw frequent momentum swings. After surrendering an early advantage, Sindhu regained composure midway through the contest by winning several extended rallies and capitalising on errors from her opponent. Strong net play and accurate attacking shots helped her edge ahead before she closed out the first game with confidence.
The Indian maintained the same intensity in the second game, quickly establishing a healthy lead through disciplined shot selection and relentless pressure. Although Yamaguchi attempted a late fightback, Sindhu remained calm in crucial moments, refusing to let the match slip away.
Even when the Japanese star narrowed the gap in the closing stages, Sindhu responded with composed rallies before sealing the championship after Yamaguchi’s final return drifted beyond the baseline. A successful review confirmed the point, sparking celebrations from the Indian camp.
The victory is expected to provide a major confidence boost to Sindhu as she prepares for the remainder of the international season. More importantly, it signals a return to top form for one of India’s most accomplished badminton players after a challenging spell on the tour.
With this landmark achievement, Sindhu has added yet another milestone to her illustrious career, further strengthening her legacy as one of India’s greatest badminton champions.
