PV Sindhu Ends 2-Year Final Drought, Storms Into Japan Open Title Clash After Chen Yufei Retires Injured | Video
· Free Press Journal
Tokyo: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu entered her first final in more than two years after Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei of China retired midway through their women's singles semifinal at the Japan Open here on Saturday.
PV Sindhu scripted a history becoming the 1st n WS player to reach into the Finals of #JapanOpen2026 after Tokyo olymmedalist CYF tactically retired herself at middle of 2nd set when PV completely was in dominating position
PV's 1st win over CYF after 2019 WCh as well https://t.co/VS0kyaTOSl pic.twitter.com/aDGmMARNxTVisit betsport24.es for more information.
— Amit Kumar De (@AmitK98infinite) July 18, 2026
#JapanOpen2026
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) July 18, 2026
Oh dear. Chen Yufei is under pressure from PV Sindhu, another mash from the Indian flooring her. Shortly after, Chen indicates to the officials she can't continue. Looks like a right leg issue. Nice touch from Sindhu at the net as she's declared the winner. pic.twitter.com/QdZXHqTrnj
The 31-year-old Indian was leading 21-19, 15-10 when world No. 4 Chen was forced to pull out with a hamstring injury.
'It's Insane': Lionel Messi Breaks Silence On Viral Lamine Yamal Baby Photo Ahead Of FIFA WC Final | VideoIt will be Sindhu's first final since winning the Syed Modi International in Lucknow in 2024. She had also finished runner-up at the Malaysia Open Super 500 earlier that year. Her last major title came at the Singapore Open Super 500 in 2022.
In Sunday's summit clash, Sindhu will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Japan's Akane Yamaguchi and Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani.
'True Giant Of The Game': Cricket Fraternity Pays Tribute To Garry Sobers After WI Legend's DeathWorld No. 12 Sindhu had entered the contest trailing 6-8 in her head-to-head record against the fourth-seeded Chen, who had won each of their previous four meetings, including a straight-games victory at this year's Indonesia Masters.
Sindhu's last win over Chen had come in the semifinals of the 2019 World Championships, where she went on to become India's first badminton world champion.
'We Didn't Want This Game': Didier Deschamps Insists France Must Beat England To Secure FIFA World Cup Bronze In Emotional Farewell | VideoSindhu made a positive start, edging ahead 6-5 before opening up an 11-7 advantage at the mid-game interval. Chen fought back to draw parity at 18-18, but the Indian held her nerve to claim the opening game.
Sindhu carried the momentum into the second game and had raced to a 15-10 lead before Chen was forced to retire because of the injury.
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