PV Sindhu comeback, beats Yamaguchi after four years to become first Indian to win Japan open crown

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu landmark triumph at the Japan Open Supper 750, defeating local favourite and world No.3 Akane Yamaguchi in straight games on Sunday. The victory of PV Sindhu and winning the Super 750 title while making her first Indian shuttler to win the prestigious Japan Open. It was her biggest triumph after lifting the BWF World Championship 2019.

“I must say, it is a much awaited and much wanted victory.”, Sindhu told reporters.

Facing world champion in front of Tokyo crowd, PV Sindhu produced an assured display, combine with aggressive smashes with deft net play and tactical discipline to dictate the contest from start to the end. Her precise net play proved as display as decisive as her power she repeatedly worked the shuttle tight to the net, forcing Yamaguchi to lift and creating openings to unleash her signature cross court and body smashes.

The match, however no procession. Sindhu took an early 3-0 lead combined with some brilliant shot making from Yamaguchi levelled the match on 3-3. Both players traded errors in the opening game. Sindhu then began to seize control with net play and moved ahead 8-6 after winning some points through her net play and extended a lead to 9-6 with another powerful smash, only for two successive errors of her own to hand Yamaguchi a two-point advantage and bring her back to the contest.

 After a break, Sindhu winning a grueling 36 shot rally to restore the scores of 11-11 before pulling clear to close out the opening game. Two booming smashes carried Sindhu and Yamaguchi error left the India three points away from the title.

And then, Sindhu eventually earned three championship points after Yamaguchi halted at the net and sealed the title when the home favourite's return landed long. A call was confirmed after a video review. Sindhu celebrated by embracing her coach.

Sindhu, now 31, was meeting Yamaguchi for the 30th time on the world championship stage; the Japanese athlete had won 7 of their last 10 encounters over the past decade. The triumph also carried another significance for Sindhu, who had not defeated Yamaguchi in a completed match for four years. The victory continued a broader pattern of Sindhu rising to the against the World No 3 Akane Yamaguchi on badminton's biggest stages.

Sindhu's route to the final was far from smooth. She defeated world No. 5 Han Yue in the pre-quarterfinals before coming to Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei to reach the final. By the time the final arrived, every other Indian had already excited for the tournament, leaving all eyes on Sindhu alone.

Throughout the final, Sindhu controlled the rallies from start to finish, attacking with precision and defending resolutely to clinch a memorable Super 750 title in Tokyo.

After the game an interview with Hindustan times PV Sindhu “I mean, I think, firstly, I am happy, but at the same time, there are many more tournaments and, of course, yes, it’s a relief that, you know, I could get a win after so many months, almost after two years and definitely that’s a relief”.

The result has been widely celebrated back home. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated Sindhu he praised her “exceptional skills and resilience,” calling it a landmark achievement and stating that the nation is proud of her historic triumph as the first Indian to win the championship.  External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, also commented on X “for bringing glory back to the country.”

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently unveiling the official mascot Peacko and the championship anthem as India entered the final month of preparations for the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi.

For Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist who has spent much of the past two years searching for the touch that once made her one of the sport's most feared competitors, Tokyo represented a full-circle moment a dominant win over a career rival. This time PV Sindhu delivered one of her finest performances showcasing the attacking instinct and composure that made her one of the world’s premier shuttlers.