India’s PV Sindhu overcame Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in straight games on Sunday to clinch the Japan Open 2026 women’s singles title.
Sindhu dominated the clash with aggressive smashes and deft drop shots to beat home favourite Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in just 50 minutes as she sealed her first BWF Super 750 title.
The 31-year-old Sindhu is now the first Indian to win the Japan Open.
This is also Sindhu’s first major title since the Singapore Open Super 500 in 2022. This comes after two injury-plagued seasons during which the two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion struggled with her rhythm and consistency.
The win extended Sindhu’s head-to-head advantage over three-time world champion Yamaguchi, lifting it to 16-14. Sindhu’s last full-match victory over her came at the Thailand Open in 2022.
On Sunday, however, the Indian dictated terms from the outset. She controlled the forecourt superbly, attacked with purpose rather than sheer power and repeatedly found answers whenever Yamaguchi threatened a comeback.
In the opening game, Sindhu and Yamaguchi traded some eye-catching shots and unforced errors. The Japanese entered the break ahead by two points only for Sindhu to rocket ahead into control after that.
ALSO READ | Sindhu will be a contender at World Championships: Gopichand
At 17-15, the pair produced a breathtaking 38-shot rally, with Yamaguchi’s remarkable defence keeping her alive. Sindhu then allowed the Japanese to draw level.
Sindhu (L) and her coach celebrate after winning the Japan Open. | Photo Credit: AFP
But, from 17-17, Sindhu lifted off with some precise smashes and cross-court pushes to bag four straight points and go ahead in the final.
Sindhu kept the foot on the pedal in the second game as she raced into a comfortable lead at 8-3 and then to 14-7 as Yamaguchi struggled with her placement.
With the finishing line in sight, Sindhu lost a bit of focus, allowing Yamaguchi to close in at 19-17. But, once again, Sindhu had the reserve for the final push as she sealed a momentous win.
Comments
Published on Jul 19, 2026