PV Sindhu scripts history, beats Yamaguchi after four years to become first Indian to win Japan Open

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu defeated home favourite Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to win her maiden 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 victory ended her title drought of more than two years and marked her biggest title since winning the World Championships in 2019.Sindhu’s previous title came at the Syed Modi International in 2024.Yamaguchi was playing her sixth Japan Open final, while Sindhu had not beaten the Japanese player 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 full-match win over her came at the Thailand Open in 2022.On Sunday, Sindhu stayed in control for most of the contest. Her net play played a key role as she repeatedly forced Yamaguchi to lift the shuttle before finishing points with cross-court and body smashes.Sindhu took an early 3-0 lead before Yamaguchi levelled the score at 3-3. The opening game remained close in the early stages, with both players exchanging points and errors.Sindhu moved ahead 8-6 after winning several points through her net play and extended the lead to 9-6 with a powerful smash. However, Yamaguchi fought back and went into the mid-game interval with a two-point advantage.After the break, Sindhu won a 36-shot rally to level the scores at 11-11 and quickly regained control. A cross-court smash, a net winner and a deep push helped her open a 16-12 lead.Yamaguchi narrowed the gap before both players produced a 38-shot rally at 17-15. The Japanese player eventually drew level, but Sindhu responded with two important points to move 19-17 ahead.Yamaguchi then hit the net before Sindhu closed out the opening game with a well-placed push into her opponent’s backhand corner.Sindhu carried that momentum into the second game. She controlled the rallies from the front court and raced to an 8-3 lead after winning a 44-shot exchange.Although Yamaguchi reduced the gap to 8-7 after a few errors from Sindhu, the Indian recovered to lead 11-7 at the interval.Yamaguchi continued to struggle with her length and also lost a video challenge as Sindhu increased her lead to 14-7.The Japanese player made one final push to cut the deficit to 14-12, but Sindhu answered with two powerful smashes to move 17-14 and then stretched the lead further after another Yamaguchi error.Some late mistakes allowed Yamaguchi to close to 19-17, but the home favourite then hit wide to hand Sindhu three championship points.Sindhu sealed the title when Yamaguchi’s final return landed long. The line call was confirmed after a video review.