Tokyo, 19 July (H.S.): Indian badminton star PV Sindhu scripted history on Sunday by defeating Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to clinch the Japan Open 2026 women’s singles title. With this victory, Sindhu became the first Indian badminton player to win the prestigious Japan Open title.

In the final, Sindhu displayed a dominant performance, showcasing powerful smashes, precise drop shots and exceptional court coverage to defeat home favourite Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in just 50 minutes. With this triumph, she also secured the first BWF Super 750 title of her career.

Four Years After Winning a Major Title

The title marks Sindhu’s first major championship victory since winning the Singapore Open Super 500 in 2022. The 31-year-old had endured a challenging phase over the past two years due to injuries and struggled to regain her rhythm and consistency. Her Japan Open triumph stands as a testament to her impressive comeback.

Extends Lead Over Yamaguchi

With this victory, Sindhu improved her head-to-head record against three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi to 16-14. Earlier, she had defeated Yamaguchi in a full-length contest at the 2022 Thailand Open.

Brilliant Comeback in First Game

The opening game witnessed a closely fought battle between the two players. Yamaguchi held a two-point advantage at the interval, but Sindhu raised the intensity of her game after the break and applied constant pressure on her opponent.

At 17-15, the two players engaged in a thrilling 38-shot rally, where Yamaguchi showcased her excellent defensive skills. However, after the score was levelled at 17-17, Sindhu won four consecutive points to claim the first game 21-17.

Sindhu Maintains Control in Second Game

Sindhu adopted an aggressive approach right from the start of the second game and built strong leads of 8-3 and later 14-7. Although Yamaguchi attempted a comeback in the closing stages and reduced the gap to 19-17, Sindhu remained composed and won the next two points to seal the match and the championship.

With this historic victory, PV Sindhu once again proved that she remains one of the biggest names in world badminton and has sent a strong message ahead of upcoming major tournaments with her determination and form.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar