Japan Open: Sindhu beats world No. 5 Han Yue, enters QF
Synopsis
Sindhu needed just 35 minutes to dismantle world No. 5 Han Yue — reeling off eight straight points to open the second game and extending her h2h record to 8-1. With world No. 1 An Se-young already out of the draw, the Japan Open title is now firmly within reach for the two-time Olympic medallist.
Key Takeaways
PV Sindhu defeated world No.
5 Han Yue of China 21-16, 21-14 in 35 minutes at the Japan Open Super 750 in Tokyo on 16 July .
Sindhu's head-to-head record over Han Yue now stands at a dominant 8-1 .
She will face Japan's former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in the quarterfinals.
1 An Se-young withdrew from her second-round match, opening the draw.
Mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto lost 20-22, 17-21 in 47 minutes ; Sindhu is India's only remaining contender.
PV Sindhu produced one of her most commanding performances of the season at the Japan Open Super 750 in Tokyo on Thursday, 16 July, dismantling world No. 5 Han Yue of China 21-16, 21-14 in just 35 minutes to advance to the women's singles quarterfinals. The two-time Olympic medallist extended her head-to-head dominance over the Chinese shuttler to an imposing 8-1.
How the Match Unfolded
The opening game was competitive in its early exchanges, with Han Yue attempting to set the tempo. Sindhu, however, gradually asserted herself through precise baseline shot placement and heightened aggression, pulling away in the latter stages to take the first game 21-16.
The second game was virtually one-sided. Sindhu stormed through the opening passages, reeling off eight consecutive points to establish a stunning 8-0 lead. A brief Han Yue fightback trimmed the deficit, but Sindhu's accuracy and court coverage remained unshaken as she sealed the contest at 21-14, completing a comprehensive straight-games victory.
What the Win Means for Sindhu
The result sends the world No. 10 — and former world champion — into the quarterfinals, where she will face Japan's own former world champion Nozomi Okuhara. Okuhara advanced after top seed and reigning world No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea withdrew from their second-round match, handing the Japanese veteran a walkover.
Notably, this victory is among Sindhu's most convincing outings of the 2025 season, coming against a seeded opponent in under 40 minutes. The win also underlines her continued authority over Han Yue, a player ranked four spots above her.
India's Remaining Challenge
Sindhu is now India's sole survivor in the tournament. The mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto pushed China's formidable top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping before going down 20-22, 17-21 in a hard-fought 47-minute pre-quarterfinal contest.
Earlier, Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and Unnati Hooda had all exited in the opening round, leaving Sindhu to carry the Indian flag into the business end of the Super 750 event.
What's Next
Sindhu's quarterfinal clash against Nozomi Okuhara sets up a high-profile encounter between two former world champions. With An Se-young out of the draw, the path to the title has opened up considerably, and a deep run by Sindhu could significantly bolster India's BWF World Tour standings heading into the second half of the season.
Point of View
Not a fluke. The real test arrives in the quarterfinal against Okuhara, a player who has historically troubled Sindhu on faster surfaces. If she clears that hurdle, a title run becomes a credible conversation — and a timely one given India's thin badminton pipeline at the elite level right now.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was PV Sindhu's score against Han Yue at the Japan Open 2025?
PV Sindhu defeated Han Yue 21-16, 21-14 in straight games, completing the match in just 35 minutes at the Japan Open Super 750 in Tokyo on 16 July.
Who will PV Sindhu face in the Japan Open quarterfinals?
Sindhu will face Japan's former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in the quarterfinals. Okuhara advanced after world No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea withdrew from their second-round match.
What is PV Sindhu's head-to-head record against Han Yue?
Sindhu leads Han Yue 8-1 in head-to-head meetings. Thursday's win in Tokyo was one of her most dominant performances against the Chinese shuttler.
How did India's other players fare at the Japan Open 2025?
Sindhu is India's only remaining player in the tournament. Mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto lost 20-22, 17-21 in the pre-quarterfinals, while Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and Unnati Hooda had exited in the opening round.
Why is PV Sindhu's Japan Open run significant?
Sindhu is competing as world No. 10 against higher-ranked opponents at a Super 750 event, and with world No. 1 An Se-young already out of the draw, a deep run could meaningfully boost India's BWF World Tour standings in the second half of the season.
