Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu defeated Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to win her maiden Japan Open title and first Super 750 crown in Tokyo.
The 31-year-old beat the three-time world champion 21-17, 21-17, becoming the first Indian to win the tournament. The victory ended Sindhu’s title drought of over two years and marked her biggest triumph since the 2019 World Championships.
Sindhu’s last title came at the Syed Modi International in 2024, while her previous full-match win over Yamaguchi was at the 2022 Thailand Open.
Sindhu controlled much of the match with her sharp net play, forcing Yamaguchi into defensive lifts before finishing points with powerful smashes. After a closely fought opening game, Sindhu regained momentum following an 11-11 tie and built a 16-12 lead with a mix of smashes and precise net shots.
Yamaguchi fought back to 17-17 in the opening game, but Sindhu held her nerve to take the lead. She carried the momentum into the second game, building an 11-7 advantage and sealing the title despite a late challenge from the Japanese player.
