Japan Open 2026 Finals Highlights: PV Sindhu defeats Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to lift title
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For the first time since 2024, PV Sindhu is in a final in BWF events. Sindhu, now 31, ended a long wait for a chance at a title after advancing to the final of the ongoing Japan Open 2026, where she faces familiar foe Akane Yamaguchi for the women’s singles title.
Sindhu was last in a final at the 2024 Syed Modi International, a BWF Super 300 tournament. It has taken two years, but the former World Champion has become the first Indian women’s singles player to reach the final at the ongoing BWF Super 750 event.
That has been made possible thanks to the resurgence in her form and an impressive run, also helped by withdrawals in consecutive matches.
Sindhu received a walkover in the quarter-final with her opponent Nozomi Okuhara withdrawing due to injury while Chen Yufei retired mid-match in the semi-final. Although the 31-year-old looked on a course for a win in the semi-final and was leading the Chinese by a game and 15-10 when the World No. 4 retired due to a likely hamstring pull.
Her opponent, Akane Yamaguchi, the home favourite is a four-time champion at the Japan Open and also reached the semis last season.
The World No. 3 advanced to the final after defeating Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in three games. Yamaguchi had to fight back from a game down to emerge victorious 9-21, 21-16, 21-14. In fact, she has lost the opening game in each of her last three matches in the competition.
Sindhu though will be very familiar with Yamaguchi’s game, having faced her 29 times so far on the tour. The India also has the edge in head-to-head encounters against the Japanese, leading her with 15 wins—although Yamaguchi has won the last five face-offs.
Where and when will PV Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi final match take place at Japan Open 2026?
The women’s singles final will be played at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on July 19 (Sunday). It has a tentative start time of 8:30 am IST and 12 pm local time.
What is the head-to-head record between PV Sindhu and Akane Yamaguchi?
They have met 29 times on tour so far, with Sindhu leading with 15 victories.
What happened in the last five meetings between PV Sindhu and Akane Yamaguchi?
The Japanese has won four of the last five meetings, while Sindhu retired in one.
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