PV Sindhu Makes History at Japan Open
On Sunday, July 19, PV Sindhu achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian to win the renowned Japan Open title. The 31-year-old showcased her impressive skills, defeating the reigning world champion, Akane Yamaguchi, in an exhilarating final. Sindhu completed the match in just 50 minutes, winning with scores of 21-17, 21-17.
This victory marks a special moment for Sindhu, as it has been seven years since she last claimed a major title on the BWF World Tour. Although she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, a stress fracture in her left ankle affected her performance and kept her off the court at critical times. In recent years, Sindhu seemed to struggle, looking like a different player compared to her former dominant self. However, during the Japan Open, she proved that she still has what it takes to compete at the highest levels. With dreams of participating in the Los Angeles Olympics, Sindhu showed great form by advancing further in tournaments this year.
In a moment of tension during the final, Sindhu believed she had won when a line call favored her, but Yamaguchi challenged the decision. The following 30 seconds felt like an eternity, but when the review upheld the call, Sindhu celebrated joyfully, taking a moment to appreciate her victory.
This triumph is significant for Sindhu, as it is her first World Tour title since winning the Syed Modi International in December 2024. Furthermore, it marks her first Super 750 title or higher since she won the World Championships in August 2019.
Sindhu Celebrates with Coach
After the match, Sindhu beamed as she received her medal and shared a light moment with Yamaguchi, someone she has faced 30 times in her career. Commentator Gillian Clarke noted the ongoing strength of the “women’s singles golden generation” as the two players stood together in celebration.
Sindhu also invited her coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, to join her on the podium. Since joining her team in 2025, Irwansyah has helped Sindhu recapture the aggressive play style that made her a formidable player. With a renewed focus on fitness, Sindhu has been performing better than ever, consistently reaching the later stages of major competitions.
She kicked off the season strong with a semi-final appearance at the Malaysia Open Super 1000. After a disappointing early exit at the All England, Sindhu bounced back by reaching the quarter-finals at the Indonesia Masters Super 500. Arriving at the Japan Open well-rested after a month off post-Australian Open, she was determined to seize the opportunity she had long awaited.
With this win, Sindhu not only adds another title to her impressive resume but also reignites her hopes for future competitions.
