PV Sindhu beats Japan’s Hina Akechi in three-game thriller; enters French Open final

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu beat Japan’s Hina Akechi in a three-game thriller to reach the women’s singles final at the French Open on Saturday, where she will face world No. 1 An Se Young of South Korea.

The world No. 11 Indian prevailed 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 in 73 minutes to reach her second Super 750 final of the year. Sindhu had won the Japan Open Super 750 in July.

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After dominating the opening game, Sindhu faced a tougher test as Akechi’s deceptive strokes and solid defence disrupted her rhythm. The Japanese player fought back to take the second game, saving Sindhu from closing out the match in straight games.

The decider remained competitive, with Akechi drawing level at 15-15 after trailing at the interval. Sindhu regained the initiative when a gruelling 38-shot rally ended with a net error from her opponent, giving the Indian an 18-16 lead.

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Sindhu then capitalised on the opening, moving to four match points before sealing the contest with a cross-court smash.

Akechi, 21, had enjoyed an impressive run to the semifinals, defeating China’s Wang Zhi Yi and Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani earlier in the tournament.

Sindhu will now take on An Se Young in the summit clash as she looks to add another title to her season’s tally.