Vintage Sindhu stuns Yamaguchi to win maiden Japan Open title

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu produced a vintage display of attacking badminton to outclass local favourite Akane Yamaguchi in straight games, clinching her maiden Super 750 title at the Japan Open on Sunday.

The 31-year-old became the first Indian to win the Japan Open, combining relentless attack with tactical discipline and composure in the decisive moments to register a 21-17, 21-17 victory over the three-time world champion and end a title drought of almost two years.

“I’m very happy, I’m just out of words because it was 19 months since I had won,” said Sindhu after the match.

“I think this one was very important to me because playing in the finals, coming to the finals, is one thing but I think to win and stand on the podium getting that gold is a different thing.

“I’m happy that I’m on the positive side and I think this gives me a lot of confidence. I think I’m very thankful to my coach, my parents, my support staff and of course my husband.”

Sindhu’s previous title came at the Syed Modi International in 2024. The triumph is her biggest title since winning the World Championships in 2019. She had won the Singapore Super 500 in 2022. Yamaguchi was appearing in her sixth Japan Open final, while Sindhu had not beaten the Japanese in a completed match in four years. Their meeting at the Malaysia Open earlier this year ended with Yamaguchi retiring after the opening game.  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.

Self-belief paid off, but maintaining tempo key to World Championship medal bid: Sindhu

An emotional PV Sindhu said her unwavering self-belief had finally paid off after claiming her biggest title in six years at the Japan Open, vowing to carry the same tempo and composure into next month’s World Championships, where she will bid for a record sixth medal.

Sindhu produced a vintage display of attacking badminton to outclass local favourite and three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 on Sunday. “Well, actually, I had tears in my eyes because it was very important for me to win. Because I was really focusing hard and working hard on myself,” Sindhu said.

Sindhu’s previous title came at the Syed Modi International in December, 2024. The Indian ace's triumph at Tokyo was her biggest since winning the World Championships in 2019. She had also won the Singapore Open Super 500 title in 2022. “I’m just out of words because it was 19 months since I had won. I kept believing that I could do it.  Even though a lot of people were like, what’s happening? Is it done or whatever it is? But I still believed in myself and I want to thank my family, coaches and support staff.”