PV Sindhu defeats Akane Yamaguchi to clinch maiden Japan Open Super 750 title

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu produced a vintage display of attacking badminton to outclass local favourite Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 and clinch her maiden Japan Open title and first Super 750 crown on Sunday.

The 31-year-old became the first Indian to win the Japan Open, combining relentless attack with tactical discipline and composure in the decisive moments to defeat the three-time world champion and end a title drought of more than two years.

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The triumph is Sindhu's biggest title since winning the World Championships in 2019. Her previous title came at the Syed Modi International in 2024.

Yamaguchi was appearing in her sixth Japan Open final, while Sindhu had not beaten the Japanese shuttler in a completed match for four years. Their meeting at the Malaysia Open earlier this year ended after Yamaguchi retired following the opening game. Sindhu's last completed-match victory over her came at the Thailand Open in 2022.

Sindhu made a strong start to the opening game, racing to a 3-0 lead before Yamaguchi fought back to level the scores. The Indian regained control through sharp net play and well-constructed rallies but trailed by two points at the mid-game interval after a few unforced errors.

After the break, Sindhu won a gruelling 36-shot rally to restore parity before taking charge with a series of attacking winners to open a four-point lead. Yamaguchi narrowed the gap late in the game, but Sindhu held her nerve, producing a fierce cross-court smash and capitalising on errors from her opponent to take the opening game 21-17.

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Sindhu carried the momentum into the second game, dominating the forecourt and taking the shuttle early to keep Yamaguchi under constant pressure. She reeled off six consecutive points to move 8-3 ahead after winning a demanding 44-shot rally.

Although Yamaguchi reduced the deficit after Sindhu committed a few errors, the Indian restored control to lead 11-7 at the interval. She later stretched the advantage to 14-7 before the Japanese mounted one final fightback to make it 14-12.

Sindhu responded with two powerful smashes to move closer to the title. Despite a brief spell of nerves that allowed Yamaguchi to close to 19-17, the Indian earned three championship points and sealed the victory when the home favourite's return landed long, with the line call upheld after a video review.

Sindhu celebrated the victory by embracing her coach after becoming the first Indian to lift the Japan Open title.

With inputs from PTI