TOKYO – Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu has made history by becoming the first Indian player to win the BWF Japan Open title. She delivered a commanding performance to defeat home favourite Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the women’s singles final.
The victory marks Sindhu’s first BWF Super 750 title. It is also her first major tournament win since the Singapore Open Super 500 in 2022, following two challenging seasons spent battling injuries and inconsistent form.
Facing three-time world champion Yamaguchi, Sindhu took control of the 50-minute match early. She relied on a deadly mix of powerful smashes, precise drop shots, and aggressive net play. Although Yamaguchi held a narrow lead at the mid-game interval of the opening game, Sindhu quickly shifted the momentum after the break.
A crucial turning point came at 17-17 in the first game following a thrilling 38-shot rally. Sindhu broke the tie by claiming four consecutive points with relentless attacking play to secure the opening game 21-17.
Sindhu carried that momentum into the second game, racing to an early 8-3 lead before extending it to 14-7. Despite a late fightback from Yamaguchi to close the gap to 19-17, Sindhu remained composed during the final rallies, securing the last two points to seal a straight-games victory.
The win stands as Sindhu’s first full-match triumph over Yamaguchi since the 2022 Thailand Open, marking another major milestone in her career.
