PV Sindhu wins maiden Japan Open Super 750, beats Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17
Synopsis
PV Sindhu silenced a home crowd in Tokyo on Sunday, dismantling four-time Japan Open champion Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to become the first Indian to win the title. It ends a seven-year Super 750 drought and two years without any BWF World Tour crown — a statement win that repositions Sindhu among the sport's elite ahead of the season's biggest events.
Key Takeaways
PV Sindhu defeated Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 to win the Japan Open Super 750 on 19 July in Tokyo .
Sindhu became the first Indian to win the Japan Open badminton title.
The win ended a two-year BWF World Tour title drought for Sindhu, whose last title was the Syed Modi International in December 2024 .
It also ended a seven-year wait for a Super 750 or above title for the former world champion.
Sindhu's campaign included wins over Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei and world No.
PV Sindhu ended a two-year title drought on Sunday, 19 July, clinching her maiden Japan Open Super 750 crown at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium with a commanding 21-17, 21-17 victory over four-time champion and home favourite Akane Yamaguchi. The win makes Sindhu the first Indian to win the Japan Open and hands her a first BWF World Tour title since the Syed Modi International in December 2024.
Historic Significance of the Win
The Japan Open title also ended Sindhu's seven-year wait for a Super 750 or above title — the highest-value rung she has scaled since her peak years. The former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist arrived at the final on the back of an impressive campaign that included a victory over Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei and a pre-quarterfinal win over world No. 5 Han Yue.
How the Final Unfolded
Sindhu burst out of the blocks in the opening game, racing to a 3-0 lead and forcing errors from Yamaguchi. The Japanese star hit back with a clutch four-point streak to seize the lead at the mid-game interval, but Sindhu recalibrated after the break — shifting to a more aggressive attacking game that pinned Yamaguchi on the defensive. She stretched her lead to 16-12 before the scores levelled at 17-all, only to close out the game with four straight points to win 21-17.
The second game was even more emphatic. Sindhu raced to 6-3, then 8-3, and carried an 11-7 advantage into the interval. Yamaguchi clawed back to 17-18, but Sindhu held her nerve, converting a three-match-point opportunity to seal the game and the title at 21-17.
Road to the Final
Sindhu's run through the draw underlined a renewed competitive sharpness. Her victory over Chen Yu Fei — who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics — was particularly notable, coming in a tournament where Sindhu faced top-tier opposition across six matches. The pre-quarterfinal win over Han Yue, ranked world No. 5, further signalled that Sindhu's game had returned to its most dangerous register.
What This Win Means Going Forward
This is Sindhu's first Super 750 triumph in seven years, and it arrives at a critical juncture in the global badminton calendar. The title will boost her BWF World Rankings points significantly and strengthen her seeding prospects for the remainder of the season. Notably, this is the third time Sindhu has beaten Yamaguchi in a major final, reinforcing a rivalry that has defined women's singles badminton in the post-Saina Nehwal era. With the season's marquee events still ahead, Sunday's result positions Sindhu as a genuine title contender once again.
Point of View
Following victories over Chen Yu Fei and Han Yue, suggests Sindhu has addressed the mid-rally passivity that cost her matches at the top level after Tokyo 2020. The seven-year gap at Super 750 and above was becoming a narrative liability; it no longer is. The harder question is whether this signals a sustained return or a tournament-specific peak — and the next three months of the BWF calendar will answer that more honestly than any single result can.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PV Sindhu win at the Japan Open 2025?
PV Sindhu won the Japan Open Super 750 badminton title on 19 July in Tokyo, defeating four-time champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the final. She became the first Indian to win the Japan Open.
When was PV Sindhu's last BWF World Tour title before Japan Open?
Sindhu's previous BWF World Tour title was the Syed Modi International in December 2024, making the Japan Open her first title in approximately two years. It also ended a seven-year drought at the Super 750 level or above.
How did Sindhu perform on her way to the Japan Open final?
Sindhu had an impressive run through the draw, beating world No. 5 Han Yue in the pre-quarterfinals and Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei in six matches before reaching the final.
What is the significance of the Japan Open Super 750 title for Sindhu?
The Japan Open is a Super 750 event — one of the highest-value tournaments on the BWF World Tour — and Sindhu had not won at that level or above in seven years. The title significantly boosts her world ranking points and seeding prospects for the rest of the season.
Who is Akane Yamaguchi and why was the final significant?
Akane Yamaguchi is a four-time Japan Open champion and one of the top-ranked players in women's singles badminton. Defeating her on home soil in Tokyo made Sindhu's win particularly notable, reinforcing one of the sport's defining rivalries in the post-Tokyo Olympic era.
