P.V. Sindhu wins Japan Open badminton title to end drought
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India’s P.V. Sindhu roaring in delight after winning a crucial point against Japanese world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi, as the 10th-ranked Indian won her first title in nearly two years with a 21-17, 21-17 win at the Japan Open on July 19.
PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO – Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu ended a title drought of almost two years at the Japan Open on July 19 and said winning would give her “a lot of confidence”.
A world champion in 2019 and Olympic silver medallist in 2016, she beat Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in Tokyo to win the competition for the first time.
It was her first title since she won the Syed Modi India International in Lucknow in 2024.
Sindhu has set her sights on a medal on home soil when New Delhi hosts the world championships in August and she said her win in Japan would boost her chances.
“This one was very important because playing in finals is one thing, but winning and getting that gold is a different thing altogether,” the 31-year-old said.
“I’m happy that I’m on the positive side. This gives me a lot of confidence.”
Earlier in the week, Sindhu said “everybody is beatable” as she targets a medal in New Delhi.
The world No. 10 had said on July 15: “Right now, with the game I’m playing, I think I just need to do a little bit of small tweaks and stick to my game plan, irrespective of who the other player is.
“Just keep fighting for every point. I feel that everybody is beatable.”
On July 19, Sindhu was playing in her first final since winning in Lucknow, after losing in the semi-finals twice on badminton’s world tour in 2026.
She jumped out to an early lead against world No. 3 Yamaguchi and held on to take the first game.
She clinched the title when the 29-year-old Japanese hit a shot that was called in, only for Sindhu to successfully overturn it with a challenge.
“I had tears in my eyes because it was really important to me,” Sindhu said.
“I am working hard and focusing hard on myself.
“I kept believing that I could do it, even though a lot of people were wondering what was happening.”
France’s Christo Popov captured the men’s singles crown, beating Japan’s Koki Watanabe 21-11, 21-19 in the final.
It was his third title of 2026, after triumphs at the European Championships and German Open.
“It’s a great performance. It’s one of the biggest things I’ve done in my life,” said world No. 5 Popov, who was the fifth seed in Tokyo.
“I’m actually very happy to do it in Japan. I’ve always liked the country, the culture and respect.”
Popov said his performances in Tokyo had convinced him that he can win a medal at the world championships.
“I know it’s very difficult, way harder than here,” the 24-year-old said.
“I think the pressure is much higher as well and the players will be ready 100 per cent there.
“I want a medal, that’s my goal.”
China’s Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping won the mixed doubles title, beating Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet 21-14, 14-21, 21-15.
South Koreans Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong won the women’s doubles title after an epic battle against China’s Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian, eventually triumphing 14-21, 21-15, 30-29.
Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Shohibul Fikri beat top-seeded South Korean pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae 21-19, 21-17 in the men’s doubles final. AFP
