PV Sindhu becomes first Indian woman to lift Japan Open title
(Courtesy : Badminton Photo)
PV Sindhu defeated Akane Yamaguchi to win her maiden Japan Open crown.
Former world champion PV Sindhu created history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian to win the Japan Open women’s singles title, defeating home favourite Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the Super 750 final.
Sindhu completed the tournament without dropping a single game, securing her first title since the Syed Modi International in 2024 less than a month before the BWF World Championships New Delhi 2026.
Facing former World No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi in front of a home crowd, Sindhu produced a composed performance in the final. She took the opening game 21-17 before sealing the second by the same margin to clinch her maiden Japan Open crown.
“I had tears in my eyes because it was very, very important for me to win. I was really working hard on myself and kept believing that I could do it. Even though a lot of people were asking what was happening, I still believed in myself, my family, my coaches and my support staff,” said Sindhu after the victory
The title is Sindhu’s first BWF World Tour title outside India since the Singapore Open in 2022 and adds another milestone to the career of the 2019 world champion, who has won five medals at the BWF World Championships, including the historic gold in Basel.
On her way to the title, Sindhu advanced to the semifinals after Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew before their quarterfinal. In the last four, Sindhu was leading Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei 21-19, 15-10 before the Chinese shuttler retired due to injury, setting up the final against Yamaguchi.
The milestone victory comes at a crucial juncture. With the BWF World Championships 2026 returning to Indian soil after 17 years in less than a month, the five-time World Championships medallist and 2019 world champion heads into the sport’s biggest event with winning momentum and renewed confidence.
Who won the women’s singles title at the Japan Open 2026?
PV Sindhu won the women’s singles title at the Japan Open 2026.
Whom did PV Sindhu defeat in the final of the Japan Open 2026?
PV Sindhu defeated Akane Yamaguchi to win her maiden Japan Open crown.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Alex graduated in mass communication in 2016 and has been covering global sports for Khel Now since then. He is covering sports tech, igaming, sports betting and casino domain from 2017.