PV Sindhu secured a spot in the final of the Japan Open 2026 after her opponent, Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei, retired due to a hamstring injury while trailing in the second game. According to RevSportz, the match took place at Tokyo’s Metropolitan Gymnasium, where Sindhu won the first game 21-19 and was leading 15-10 before Chen’s withdrawal handed her a place in the final.

The 31-year-old Indian star ended a five-match losing streak against Chen, marking her first victory over the Chinese shuttler since 2019. This achievement also made Sindhu the first Indian woman to reach the final of the Japan Open and her first appearance in a BWF Super 750 or higher-level final since the 2019 Indonesia Open.

Sindhu showcased a commanding performance early on by mixing powerful cross-court smashes with deceptive front-court play to take a 4-0 lead before the interval in the opening game. Although Chen attempted a comeback, Sindhu held steady, winning a thrilling 51-shot rally to extend her lead to 18-16. She secured the first game with a spectacular body smash, benefiting from constant focus reminders from her coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama.

In the second game, Sindhu maintained momentum, jumping to an early 3-0 lead and controlling rallies with precise placements. She pushed Chen to the backcourt and dominated with powerful smashes to reach 11-8 at the mid-game interval, later extending her advantage to 15-10 before Chen’s injury forced her to retire.

Why this matters

Sindhu’s victory highlights her resurgence on the international badminton stage, particularly as she approaches her mid-thirties. Becoming the first Indian woman to reach a BWF Super 750 final in 2026 underscores her enduring competitiveness and ability to challenge top-ranked players. This milestone also boosts her world ranking from No. 18 to an anticipated No. 9, positioning her well for future elite tournaments.

Looking ahead, Sindhu will face the winner of the semifinal clash between Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi and Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani. This final appearance marks her first at this tournament and a significant achievement after several years without major final appearances.