Asian Games: Sindhu falls to Yamaguchi in QF opener, Japan lead 1-0
Synopsis
Sindhu saved game points, erased multiple deficits, and won the first set — but Akane Yamaguchi's class told in the end. A 21-23, 21-18, 21-11 loss hands Japan an early 1-0 lead in the Asian Games women's team quarterfinal, leaving India's campaign to Unnati Hooda and the remaining rubbers.
Key Takeaways
PV Sindhu lost to Akane Yamaguchi 21-23, 21-18, 21-11 in the opening rubber of the Asian Games women's team badminton quarterfinal .
Japan lead India 1-0 in the quarterfinal after the opening match on 22 September .
Sindhu won the first game 23-21 after saving a game point and erasing multiple deficits, but faded in the decider.
The Sindhu-Yamaguchi head-to-head now stands at 16-15 in Sindhu's favour after 31 meetings .
Unnati Hooda faces Tomoka Miyazaki in the second rubber with India needing to level.
India's women have won only a bronze (2014 Incheon) in Asian Games team badminton history.
PV Sindhu lost the opening rubber of the Asian Games women's team badminton quarterfinal against Akane Yamaguchi at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Tuesday, 22 September, handing Japan a 1-0 lead in the tie. The three-set scoreline — 21-23, 21-18, 21-11 — tells the story of a contest that swung dramatically before Yamaguchi's class ultimately prevailed.
How the Match Unfolded
Sindhu showed admirable resilience in the opening game, erasing a 6-10 deficit to reach 12-12 and then staging another comeback from 15-18, saving a game point to clinch it 23-21. The first game was a statement of her fighting spirit against one of the world's most consistent players.
The second game produced an equally competitive exchange. Sindhu clawed back from 12-17 down with a burst of quick points, narrowing the gap to 16-18. Yamaguchi responded swiftly, moving to 19-16, before Sindhu's smash momentarily checked the Japanese player's momentum. But it was not enough, with Yamaguchi sealing the second game 21-18.
The decider proved one-sided. The physical toll of two grinding games showed on Sindhu early — she trailed 4-11 at the midpoint and could not recover, losing the third game 11-21. Yamaguchi, the three-time world champion, controlled the pace and angles throughout the final set.
Head-to-Head Record
The two players had met 30 times heading into Tuesday's match, with Sindhu holding a 16-14 advantage. Tuesday's defeat narrows the head-to-head to 16-15 in Sindhu's favour — a sign of how competitive this rivalry remains, even as Yamaguchi has clearly taken the upper hand in recent meetings.
India's Quarterfinal Situation
Unnati Hooda will step up for India in the second rubber, facing Tomoka Miyazaki, with the task of levelling the tie at 1-1. India need to win the remaining rubbers to advance to the semifinals.
India's Asian Games Team Badminton History
India's women have won only one team medal at the Asian Games — a bronze at the 2014 Incheon Games. In the 2023 edition, India suffered a 0-3 quarterfinal loss to Thailand. A repeat exit at the quarterfinal stage would underline the structural challenge India's women face against the Asian powerhouses in team competition.
Point of View
With the 2023 0-3 defeat to Thailand and now this. Winning individual medals is one thing; building a team capable of beating Japan or China requires a pipeline that goes beyond a single world-class player. Hooda's rubber is now a must-win, and the pressure on a young player in a knockout team match is precisely the kind of high-stakes exposure India needs more of — not less.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Sindhu vs Yamaguchi at the Asian Games quarterfinal?
PV Sindhu lost to Akane Yamaguchi 21-23, 21-18, 21-11 in the opening rubber of the Asian Games women's team badminton quarterfinal on 22 September. Sindhu won the first game but faded in the second and third sets.
What is the current head-to-head record between Sindhu and Yamaguchi?
After Tuesday's match, the head-to-head between Sindhu and Yamaguchi stands at 16-15 in Sindhu's favour across 31 meetings. Before the match, Sindhu led 16-14.
Who plays next for India in the women's team quarterfinal?
Unnati Hooda will represent India in the second rubber of the quarterfinal, taking on Japan's Tomoka Miyazaki. India need to win to level the tie at 1-1.
How has India's women's team performed at the Asian Games historically?
India's women have won just one team medal at the Asian Games — a bronze at the 2014 Incheon Games. In the 2023 edition, they were knocked out in the quarterfinal after a 0-3 defeat to Thailand.
Who is Akane Yamaguchi?
Akane Yamaguchi is a Japanese badminton player and three-time world champion, widely regarded as one of the top women's singles players in the world. She has now beaten Sindhu in 15 of their 31 career meetings.
