Tokyo: The long wait of 19 months is over. PV Sindhu won the title. India’s star shuttler won the Japan Open (Japan Open 2026) for the first time at her home ground after defeating Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi. Sindhu snatched victory against world number three Yamaguchi by 21-14, 21-17. Sindhu became the first Indian shuttler to win a title in Japan. Sindhu also defeated Yamaguchi in 2021 Tokyo Olympics. It was the 31-year-old women’s shuttler’s first Super 750 title.

Notably, PV Sindhu’s last title came at Syed Modi International in 2024. After winning the World Championship title in 2019, this Japan Open win is the biggest title of his career. PV Sindhu continuously disrupted Yamaguchi’s rhythm in the first game with a brilliant combination of Konakuni drop shots and perfect smashes throughout the match. The Hyderabadi shuttler snatched a 21-14 victory in the first game after holding back-to-back crucial points. Sindhu did not let complacency creep into her game even after going ahead in the first game. Sindhu stepped up her attack in the second game. The calm and steady Yamaguchi looked quite flustered and started making simple mistakes one after another.

Sindh’s resistance was also eye-catching. Anticipating the net play of the Japanese rival, Sindhu was returning the counter pressure. At the end of the game, Yamaguchi, spurred on by the applause of the Tokyo crowd, desperately tried to turn around, but Sindhu made no mistake. Maintaining perfect tactical discipline, he won the second game also 21-17 to seal his victory.

The World Championship will be held in Delhi next month. This win will boost Sindh’s confidence before going down there. Japan’s Yamaguchi reached the Japan Open final for the sixth time in his career. But in the last four years, Sindhu could not win a single match against the Japanese rival. Yamaguchi withdrew after the first game of their encounter at the Malaysia Open earlier this year due to injury.

Today is the World Cup final night. Indian football fans too argentina Keep an eye on the TV screen to watch the vs Spain match for sure. Before that, Sindhu’s victory in Indian Badminton will surely make Indian sports lovers happy.