PV Sindhu defeated Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 to claim the Japan Open Super 750 title on Sunday. The Indian player overcame her frequent rival with an aggressive performance that featured strong smashes and effective use of height. At 31, Sindhu became the first Indian to win a major title in Japan before a vocal home crowd. She repeated a victory over Yamaguchi from the 2021 Olympics. The win highlighted Sindhu’s ability to counter Yamaguchi’s speed and consistency. It is her first Super 750 title and first world tour title since 2024. Sindhu is expected to enter the top eight in the world rankings. This marks her biggest title since the 2018 World Tour Finals. Yamaguchi had previously beaten Sindhu in several finals, including the 2019 Indonesia Super 1000. The match included long rallies and tactical exchanges, with Sindhu maintaining pressure through net play and high clears. Both players showed fatigue in the second set, yet Sindhu sustained her intensity to secure the victory.
