PV Sindhu defeats Japan’s Akechi 21-10, 20-22, 21-16; is preparing a fight for the French Open title with world number one An Se Young

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu reached her second Super 750 final of the year after defeating Japan’s Hina Akechi in a three-match battle at the French Open in Paris on Saturday.The 31-year-old Indian, who won the Japan Open Super 750 title in July, defeated world number 22 Akechi 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 in one hour and 13 minutes.“I’m a bit happy that I could finish the match and play the final, but I think the work is not done and I think I have to come back and focus on one more match,” Sindhu said.Akechi, 21, defeated Wang Zhi Yi and Putri Kusuma Wardani earlier in the week. She used her deceptive hitting and defense to put Sindhu under pressure, but the Indian held on to win the decider and book her place in the final.Sindhu will take on world number one An Se Young of South Korea in the title clash on Sunday.“I have to give her a good fight, a hard fight. Every point counts. We played a lot and she did really well,” she said.“She was at her best but I think tomorrow will be a different day. I just have to go out there and do my best.”The opening game was tied at 4-4 and 8-8 in the early stages. Sindhu then moved ahead to take an 11-9 lead at the interval.The Indian rallied after the break, winning 11 of the next 12 points and closing out the match 21-10 in 18 minutes.Sindhu was down four points at the start of the second game but fought back to level the score at 7-7. Her cross-court round attacks produced the winner as both players remained tied at 10-10 before Akechi began to take the lead.The Indian world No. 1 kept pace with her opponent and tied the score at 14-14. A back-and-forth smash helped her to 16-16 before a deceptive return gave her the lead.Akechi responded with a game point that Sindhu saved at 20-20 after serving at the net. The Japanese secured another game point and converted it when Sindhu hit wide to force a decider.Sindhu started 5-3 in the third game but Akechi fought back to take a 6-5 lead. The Indian regained the advantage and went into the interval two points ahead, although she struggled to maintain consistent attacking strokes.A return across the court and a shot to the net helped Sindhu increase her lead, but Akechi fought back with a precise play across the net and a smash to level the scores at 15-15.The breakthrough came during a 38-shot exchange that ended with an Akechi error at the net allowing Sindhu to take an 18-16 lead. Another well-placed net shot brought the Indian closer to victory before Akechi hit wide to give her four match points.Sindhu sealed the win with a cross-court smash.The Indian enjoyed a productive year, winning the Japan Open title in July and coming close to winning medals at the Delhi World Championships and the Asian Games. She will now have another chance to add to the Super 750 title when she takes on An Se Young in the finals.