PV Sindhu Storms Into Japan Open Final, Makes History

PV Sindhu secured her place in the Japan Open final on Saturday, July 18, 2026, becoming the first Indian woman to reach this stage of the tournament. The semi-final concluded prematurely after her opponent, Chen Yufei, retired due to a hamstring injury while trailing 21-19, 15-10. This pivotal victory marks Sindhu's return to a BWF tour final for the first time in two years, effectively snapping a five-match losing streak against the Chinese competitor.

Sindhu navigated a challenging draw to reach this milestone, including a notable victory against World No. 5 Han Yue earlier in the competition. Her momentum was further supported by a walkover in the quarterfinals from former world champion Nozomi Okuhara. The win over Chen Yufei represents a psychological breakthrough for Sindhu, as it is her first success against the Chinese ace since the 2019 BWF World Championships.

Sindhu now prepares for the ultimate title clash scheduled for Sunday, July 19. She awaits the outcome of the other semi-final between Japan's Akane Yamaguchi and Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani. Fans anticipate a high-stakes finale as the Indian star aims to convert her recent form into a tournament title. Her success marks a significant uplift for Indian badminton on the global stage, solidifying her status as a consistent contender in elite professional circuits.