PV Sindhu Re-establishes as World Championships Contender After Japan Open Triumph PV Sindhu’s victory over China’s Chen Yufei in the Japan Open semifinals has repositioned her as a key contender for the upcoming BWF World Championships in New Delhi, according to national coach Pullela Gopichand. The 31-year-old shuttler, who had been sidelined by injuries for much of the past two years, reached the finals of a World Tour event for the first time since 2024, marking a significant return to form. Her 21-19, 15-10 win over Chen Yufei, a former Olympic champion, not only secured her place in the final but also underscored her ability to compete with the world’s top players. Gopichand emphasized that Sindhu’s performance at the Japan Open has restored her status as a major threat ahead of the World Championships, which will take place in New Delhi next month. “She’s definitely a prospect, she’s definitely a threat,” Gopichand told Sportstar, highlighting Sindhu’s resurgence after a challenging period marred by recurring injuries. The two-time Olympic medallist had struggled to maintain consistency during the past two seasons, but her recent form suggests she is regaining her rhythm. The coach noted that while reigning world No. 1 An Se-Young remains the clear favorite in the women’s singles category, the rest of the field is within Sindhu’s reach. “I still believe that apart from An Se-Young, everybody in the rest of the field is beatable,” Gopichand said. He pointed to Sindhu’s recent victories over players like China’s Yue Han and Chen Yufei as evidence of her capability to challenge top-tier opponents. “Against Han Yu, she has an 8-1 record in her favor. I actually don’t think Yue Han has the speed to handle someone like Sindhu,” he added.#world_championships #pullela_gopichand #pv_sindhu #japan_open #badminton
