PV Sindhu makes history by defeating Yamaguchi after four years to become the first Indian to win the Japan Open

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu beat home favorite Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to win her first Japan Open title and first Super 750 crown in Tokyo on Sunday.The 31-year-old became the first Indian to win the Japan Open after beating the three-time world champion 21-17, 21-17. The win ended her more than two-year drought and marked her biggest title since winning the 2019 World Championships.Sindhu’s previous title came at the Syed Modi International in 2024.Yamaguchi was playing in her sixth Japan Open final, while Sindhu had not beaten a Japanese player in a completed match for four years. Their meeting at the Malaysia Open earlier this year ended after Yamaguchi retired after the opening match. Sindhu last won over her in a full match at the 2022 Thailand Open.On Sunday, Sindhu remained in control for most of the contest. Her net play played a key role as she repeatedly forced Yamaguchi into shuttle lifts before finishing points with criss-crosses and body slams.Sindhu took an early 3-0 lead before Yamaguchi leveled the scores at 3-3. The opening game remained tight in the early stages, with both players trading points and errors.Sindhu raced to an 8-6 lead after winning a few points through her clean game and extended her lead to 9-6 with a powerful smash. However, Yamaguchi fought back and went into the break midway through the game with a two-point lead.After the break, Sindhu stormed to a 36-run win to level the score at 11-11 and quickly regained control. A backhand smash, a net winner and a deep push helped her open up a 16-12 lead.Yamaguchi closed the gap before both players made 38 shots at 17-15. The Japanese player eventually leveled but Sindhu responded with two crucial points to move into a 19-17 lead.Yamaguchi then hit the net before Sindhu sealed the opening game with a well-placed backhand corner of her opponent.Sindhu carried that momentum into the second game. She controlled the rally from the front court and took an 8-3 lead after winning the 44-shot exchange.Although Yamaguchi cut the lead to 8-7 after a couple of errors from Sindhu, the Indian took an 11-7 lead in the meantime.Yamaguchi continued to struggle with her length and also lost a video challenge as Sindhu extended her lead to 14-7.The Japanese player made one last push to reduce the deficit to 14-12, but Sindhu responded with two powerful smashes to take the score to 17-14, before extending Yamaguchi’s lead further after another error.Some late errors allowed Yamaguchi to close to 19-17, but the home favorite then hit wide to hand Sindhu three championship points.Sindhu sealed the title when Yamaguchi’s final return landed long. Line call confirmed after video review.

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