PV Sindhu has secured her spot in the women’s singles final of the Japan Open Super 750 tournament. Chan Yufei, the world number 4 from China, withdrew from the semifinal due to an injury, granting the Indian star her first final of the season.
Sindhu was in complete control of the match, leading 21-19, 15-10 when Chan had to retire due to a potential hamstring injury.
Earlier, the Indian player started strong, showcasing aggressive play and swift movements to build a four-point lead in the first game. Chan managed to equalize at 19-19, but Sindhu maintained her composure and capitalized on her first game point, winning the first game 21-19.
The second game unfolded similarly, with Sindhu dominating the rallies from the start and quickly establishing a 15-10 lead. Chan appeared to struggle with her injury and ultimately decided to withdraw from the match. This victory marks another significant milestone in Sindhu’s impressive comeback campaign in 2026.
At 31 years old, Sindhu began the year ranked 18th in the world but has steadily improved her performance, now ranking 9th globally. This indicates a clear return to her best form. With the goal of winning the Japan Open title, Sindhu will face either Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi or Indonesia’s Kusuma Wardani in the final on Sunday.
Previously, Sindhu reached the semifinals after Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew just before their quarterfinal match. This marks her first semifinal appearance in a Super 750 tournament since the 2023 Denmark Open. Throughout this season, she has reached three semifinals, including the Malaysia Open Super 1000 and the Australian Open Super 500.