PV Sindhu breaks Chen Yufei jinx, becomes first Indian woman to ...
PV Sindhu reached the Japan Open 2026 final after her opponent, Chen Yufei, retired due to injury. This victory marks Sindhu's return to a major BWF Tour final after a two-year hiatus.
Why it matters
Sindhu's performance is a significant comeback for the Indian athlete, highlighting her resilience and return to elite-level competitive form.
PV Sindhu booked her place in the women's singles final of the Japan Open 2026 on Saturday, becoming the first Indian shuttler to reach the summit clash of the prestigious tournament. The two-time Olympic medallist progressed after reigning Olympic champion Chen Yufei retired midway through the second game because of a hamstring injury. Sindhu had already taken the opening game 21-19 and was leading 15-10 in the second when the Chinese star was forced to withdraw.The victory marked a significant milestone for the Indian ace, ending a five-match losing streak against Chen and securing her first win over the Chinese shuttler since the 2019 BWF World Championships.Impressive run to the finalSindhu has enjoyed an impressive run in Tokyo. She began her campaign with a series of confident performances, including a notable victory over World No.
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