Sindhu beats Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 to win maiden Japan Open title

Updated: July 19, 2026 11:34 am IST Source: PTI

Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. 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 in Tokyo 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, ending a title drought of more than two years.

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.

Match Context

• Yamaguchi was appearing in her sixth Japan Open final.
• Sindhu had not beaten the Japanese player 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 Yamaguchi came at the Thailand Open in 2022.

First Game: 21-17

Sindhu 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.

Along with her powerful smashes, Sindhu's precise net play proved decisive. She repeatedly worked the shuttle tight to the net, forcing Yamaguchi to lift and creating opportunities to unleash her trademark cross-court and body smashes.

Key moments:

• Sindhu raced to a 3-0 lead before unforced errors and brilliant shot-making from Yamaguchi allowed the Japanese to draw level at 3-3.
• Both players traded errors before Yamaguchi's service error made it 5-5.
• Sindhu seized control with superb net play, moving 8-6 ahead.
• A body smash from Yamaguchi made it 9-9, and Sindhu trailed by two points at the mid-game interval.
• After the break, Sindhu won a gruelling 36-shot rally to restore parity at 11-11.
• A thunderous cross-court smash put her ahead at 13-12, and she opened up a 16-12 advantage.
• At 17-15, the pair produced a breathtaking 38-shot rally, with Yamaguchi's remarkable defence keeping her alive.
• Sindhu came up with her best badminton when it mattered most: a fierce cross-court smash and a Yamaguchi error gave her a 19-17 lead.
• Yamaguchi found the net to hand Sindhu three game points. Sindhu wrapped up the opening game with a precise push into Yamaguchi's backhand corner.

Second Game: 21-17

Sindhu carried the momentum into the second game, dominating the forecourt and taking the shuttle early to keep Yamaguchi under constant pressure.

Key moments:

• A punishing 44-shot rally ended with a weary Yamaguchi hitting wide as Sindhu reeled off six straight points to surge to an 8-3 lead.
• Sindhu briefly lost her rhythm with two net errors and another shot drifting long, allowing Yamaguchi to reduce the deficit to 8-7.
• Sindhu quickly regained control to take an 11-7 lead at the interval.
• Yamaguchi continued to spray her returns long and squandered another video challenge as Sindhu stretched the lead to 14-7.
• Yamaguchi mounted one last charge with a fine net shot, a deep flat push, and a couple of errors from Sindhu to narrow the gap to 14-12.
• A timely response from Sindhu sealed the game and the title.

Gold medalist India's Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (L) and silver medalist Japan's Akane Yamaguchi pose on the podium after their women's singles final match of the Japan Open badminton tournament at Tokyo Gymnasium in Tokyo on July 19, 2026. Photo Credit: AFP