PV Sindhu storms into Japan Open 2026 final after Chen Yufei retires injured
Synopsis
PV Sindhu is into her first final of the 2026 season after World No. 4 Chen Yufei retired with a suspected hamstring injury at 21-19, 15-10 in their Japan Open semifinal. It is Sindhu's first Super 750 final in years — and the clearest sign yet that her comeback from a difficult 2024 is real.
Key Takeaways
PV Sindhu reached the Japan Open 2026 women's singles final on 18 July after Chen Yufei retired injured.
Sindhu was leading 21-19, 15-10 when Chen withdrew with a suspected hamstring injury.
It is Sindhu's first final of the 2026 season and her first Super 750 final since the Denmark Open in 2023 .
Sindhu has risen from World No.
9 during the 2026 season.
She will face either Akane Yamaguchi or Putri Kusuma Wardani in Sunday's final in Tokyo .
PV Sindhu advanced to the Japan Open 2026 women's singles final on Saturday, 18 July, after China's World No. 4 Chen Yufei was forced to retire mid-match due to a suspected hamstring injury. The win hands Sindhu her first final appearance of the season at a Super 750 event in Tokyo.
How the Semifinal Unfolded
Sindhu came out firing, building a four-point cushion midway through the opening game with her trademark aggressive baseline play and sharp court movement. Chen clawed back to level the score at 19-19, but Sindhu held her nerve in the closing exchanges, converting her first game point to seal the opener 21-19.
The second game was more one-sided. Sindhu dominated the rallies from the outset and surged to a commanding 15-10 lead. With momentum firmly in the Indian's favour, the former Olympic champion Chen chose to retire, bringing the contest to an early close.
Sindhu's Remarkable 2026 Comeback
The result underlines the scale of Sindhu's resurgence this year. The 31-year-old began 2026 ranked World No. 18 but has climbed nine places to sit at World No. 9, signalling a clear return to elite-level form. This is her third semifinal of the season, following earlier runs at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 and the Australian Open Super 500.
Notably, Sunday's final also marks Sindhu's first Super 750 final since she last reached the title round at a comparable-tier event — a milestone that underscores how far her 2026 campaign has come. Her semifinal run itself was aided by Japan's Nozomi Okuhara withdrawing before their quarterfinal on Friday — her first Super 750 semifinal since the Denmark Open in 2023.
What the Final Holds
Sindhu will face either Japan's Akane Yamaguchi or Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani in Sunday's final, with the title match set to be a stern test regardless of who comes through. A win would be Sindhu's first Japan Open title and a significant statement about her standing in world badminton heading into the second half of the season.
Context and What It Means
This comes amid a broader narrative of Indian badminton's depth at the top level. Sindhu's progression to a Super 750 final — even aided by opponent retirements — reflects sustained competitive fitness and tactical sharpness that had been questioned after a difficult 2024. Her ability to close out the first game against a top-four opponent under pressure at 19-19 is the most telling detail of the week.
Point of View
Reaching a Super 750 final for the first time since 2023, and closing out a tight first game at 19-19 against a top-four opponent: these are not flukes. The harder question is whether Sindhu can convert in the final, a stage where her record has been mixed in recent years. Sunday's match will tell us whether 2026 is a genuine resurgence or a strong half-season that fades at the last hurdle — as it has before.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Chen Yufei retire in the Japan Open 2026 semifinal?
Chen Yufei retired mid-match due to a suspected hamstring injury while trailing PV Sindhu 21-19, 15-10 in their semifinal. The former Olympic champion chose to withdraw rather than risk aggravating the injury further.
Who will PV Sindhu face in the Japan Open 2026 final?
Sindhu will face either Japan's Akane Yamaguchi or Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani in Sunday's final in Tokyo. The match is Sindhu's first Super 750 final in several years.
What is PV Sindhu's current world ranking in 2026?
Sindhu is currently ranked World No. 9, having started the 2026 season at World No. 18. The nine-place climb reflects a consistent run of results across multiple tournaments this year.
How has PV Sindhu performed in the 2026 badminton season so far?
Sindhu has reached three semifinals in 2026, at the Malaysia Open Super 1000, the Australian Open Super 500, and now the Japan Open Super 750. The Japan Open final is her first final appearance of the season.
When was PV Sindhu's last Super 750 semifinal before Japan Open 2026?
Sindhu's previous Super 750 semifinal appearance was at the Denmark Open in 2023, making her Japan Open 2026 run her first at that tier in nearly three years.
