PV Sindhu is back, and she's back with a bang!

The two-time Olympic medallist produced one of her most commanding performances in recent years to defeat Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the final of the Japan Open Super 750. The emphatic victory not only ended Sindhu's seven-year wait for a major BWF World Tour title but also made her the first Indian ever to lift the prestigious Japan Open crown.

Playing before a passionate home crowd in Tokyo, Sindhu displayed remarkable composure, relentless aggression and unwavering belief to silence the local favourite in just 50 minutes. It was a performance that reminded badminton fans around the world why she remains one of India's greatest sporting icons.

Finally Overcoming Her Greatest Rival

For years, Akane Yamaguchi had been one of Sindhu's toughest opponents. The Japanese star had denied Sindhu several major titles, including the Asian Championships final, the Indonesia Open Super 1000 final in 2019 and the BWF World Tour Finals. Their rivalry had often tilted in Yamaguchi's favour, making Sunday's triumph even sweeter.

This was their 30th meeting, but Sindhu approached the contest with renewed confidence. Standing nearly ten inches taller than her opponent, she used her reach brilliantly while combining explosive smashes with quick movement around the court.

Instead of allowing Yamaguchi to dictate long rallies, Sindhu attacked from the very beginning, forcing errors and maintaining pressure throughout both games.

Aggression, Speed and Mental Strength Shine

The defining feature of Sindhu's victory was her fearless approach. She attacked relentlessly from the front court, unleashed powerful smashes with precision and refused to let Yamaguchi settle into her rhythm. More importantly, she remained mentally strong during crucial moments, never allowing the Japanese star to build momentum despite the loud support from the home crowd.

Fans witnessed flashes of Sindhu who conquered the world stage by winning the World Championships in 2019—a player known for hunting down the biggest names with fearless intensity.

Her coach, Irwansyah, who joined her team in early 2025, has played a key role in her resurgence. After the victory, Sindhu invited him onto the podium for a celebratory photograph, highlighting the strong partnership behind her return to the top.

A Perfect Boost Before the World Championships

Sindhu's last title came at the Syed Modi International in December 2024, but the Japan Open triumph carries far greater significance. It is her biggest tournament victory since winning the World Championships in Basel in 2019. Injuries had interrupted her progress in recent years, but this performance suggests the Indian ace has rediscovered her rhythm at exactly the right time.

For Indian badminton, the victory signals the return of a champion capable of challenging for the sport's biggest honours once again.

The timing could hardly be better, with the BWF World Championships set to take place next month in New Delhi. Victories over top players like China's Chen Yufei and reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi during this tournament have firmly re-established Sindhu as one of the favourites.