Tokyo, July 19: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu produced a vintage performance to defeat Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in straight games and lift her maiden Japan Open Super 750 title on Sunday. The two-time Olympic medallist won 21-17, 21-17 in just 50 minutes to become the first Indian shuttler to win the prestigious tournament.
Playing against the home favourite, Sindhu dominated with aggressive shot-making and controlled the rallies throughout the contest. She claimed the opening game 21-17 before maintaining her momentum in the second to seal another 21-17 victory and end a seven-year wait for a major title.
The triumph is Sindhu’s first Super 750 crown and her biggest title since winning the BWF World Championships in 2019. It also marks her first title on the BWF World Tour since the Syed Modi International in 2024, signalling a strong return to top form ahead of the upcoming major events this season.
Sindhu had entered the final after advancing past China’s Chen Yufei in the semifinals and carried that confidence into the title clash, outclassing world champion Yamaguchi with a composed all-round display. The victory is expected to provide a major confidence boost as she prepares for the World Championships later this year.
