TOKYO, July 19 (ANI): Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu rediscovered her best form to capture her first Japan Open title, defeating home favorite and world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the women’s singles final of the BWF Super 750 tournament on Sunday.
The victory marked Sindhu’s first BWF Super 750 title and ended a title drought of more than two years. She also became the first Indian shuttler to win the prestigious Japan Open, securing her biggest title since claiming the BWF World Championships crown in 2019.
Facing three-time world champion Yamaguchi before a partisan home crowd, Sindhu delivered a composed performance, combining powerful smashes, precise net play, and disciplined tactics to control the match from start to finish.
Sindhu made a strong start, racing to a 3-0 lead before Yamaguchi fought back to level the score. The opening game remained closely contested, with both players exchanging momentum as the Japanese star held a narrow lead at the mid-game interval.
After the break, Sindhu seized control. A marathon 36-shot rally helped her draw level before she tightened her grip on the match through sharp net play and powerful cross-court winners.
She opened a 16-12 advantage and, despite Yamaguchi narrowing the gap, remained composed in the closing stages. Consecutive attacking winners and an error from the Japanese player gave Sindhu three game points before she sealed the opener with a perfectly placed shot into the backhand corner.
Sindhu carried that momentum into the second game, dominating the forecourt and repeatedly forcing Yamaguchi into defensive lifts before punishing them with her trademark steep smashes.
A grueling 44-shot rally highlighted Sindhu’s physical endurance as she surged to an 8-3 lead before extending her advantage to 11-7 at the mid-game interval.
Yamaguchi mounted one final comeback, cutting the deficit to 14-12 and later 19-17, but Sindhu refused to lose control. Two powerful smashes restored her cushion before she earned three championship points.
The match ended when Yamaguchi’s return landed long, with a successful video review confirming the line call.
The victory carried added significance for Sindhu, who had not defeated Yamaguchi in a completed match in four years. Against an opponent appearing in her sixth Japan Open final, Sindhu produced one of her strongest performances in recent seasons, displaying the attacking flair and composure that established her among the world’s elite badminton players.
With the triumph in Tokyo, Sindhu not only claimed her maiden Japan Open title but also sent a strong message ahead of the major international tournaments later this season. (ANI)
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