Japan Open 2026 Highlights: PV Sindhu crowned champion; beats Akane Yamaguchi
Check out the Highlights from the 2026 Japan Open Super 750 Final between PV Sindhu and Akane Yamaguchi.
PV Sindhu celebrates after reaching the 2026 Japan Open Final (Photo credit: Badminton Photo/BWF)
Japan Open 2026 Highlights: PV Sindhu ended her 19-month title drought, beating Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the women's singles final at the 2026 Japan Open Super 750, becoming the first shuttler from India to win the title on Sunday.
The 31-year-old double Olympic medallist was at her absolute best as she tamed the reigning world champion with her attacking game in 50 minutes.
The title win marked Sindhu's first Super 750 title and her first major title win since the BWF World Championships seven years ago in 2019.
Highlights:
That's all we have from the women's singles final at the 2026 Japan Open Super 750.
Up against home favourite Akane Yamaguchi in front of a partisan crowd, PV Sindhu displayed why she is amongst the modern day greats of badminton. She took down the reigning world champion 21-17, 21-17 in straight games in what was their 30th outing on the BWF World Tour.
Yamaguchi had won their last finished completed meetings and Sindhu hadn't won a major title in seven years. The Indian ensured that both of it is broken as she became the first from shuttler the country to win the Japan Open.
The only question now is whether PV Sindhu can carry this form into the home world championships in Delhi, which is less than a month away.
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A lift from Akane Yamaguchi called in at the backline. Sindhu asks for a challenge. She is proven right.
PV Sindhu has won the Japan Open Super 750. A career first at this level. A first major title in 7 years. A first for India in Japan!
She beats Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17. Vintage PV Sindhu is back!
Two back-to-back points for PV Sindhu and she now has three match points. The crowd is still roaring for Yamaguchi!
With the crowd firmly behind her, Yamaguchi is making this as difficult as possible for Sindhu. The Indian's lead is down to just a solitary point at 18-17.
Can Yamaguchi force a decider?
Sindhu is once again running away with it. A string of points for her as she extends the lead to 17-12!
A net dribble from Yamaguchi and the point favours Sindhu as the shuttle fails to cross over. Much needed for the Indian. 15-12.
Yamaguchi isn't willing to throw in the towel; not just yet. She now wins five-in-row, cutting down the attacking shots from Sindhu expertly.
Sindhu finally gets an attacking opportunity and she puts the shuttle wide. Her lead is cut short to just two points at 14-12.
Three-straight points post the break for Sindhu even as Yamaguchi loses her second review post the mid-game interval. 14-7 lead for the Indian!
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