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
P.V. Sindhu Advances to Japan Open Semifinals After Nozomi Okuhara Withdrawal Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu secured her place in the semifinals of the Japan Open Super 750 tournament after former world champion Nozomi Okuhara withdrew from their women’s singles quarterfinal match on Friday, July 17, 2026. The 31-year-old Indian player, who previously claimed the 2019 world title, will compete in the last four of the event for the first time since the Denmark Open in 2023. This marks her third semifinal appearance of the year, following strong performances at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 and the Australian Open Super 500. Okuhara’s withdrawal created an unexpected opportunity for Sindhu, as the Japanese star had herself benefited from a prior withdrawal. In the pre-quarterfinals, South Korea’s An Se-young had pulled out due to a left foot injury, allowing Okuhara to progress without facing her. Now, Sindhu’s path to the semifinals is set against Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei, who advanced by defeating South Korea’s Sim Yu Jin with straight-game scores of 21-10 and 21-12 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Chen, the fourth-seeded Chinese player, holds a significant head-to-head advantage over Sindhu, with an 8-6 record in their encounters. Notably, Chen has won their last four meetings, including a straight-games victory at this year’s Indonesia Masters. This upcoming clash will be a test for Sindhu, who has not faced Chen in a competitive setting since the 2019 World Championships. In that semifinal, Sindhu defeated Chen to become India’s first badminton world champion, a milestone that remains a defining moment in her career. Sindhu’s current form reflects her resilience and adaptability.#nozomi_okuhara #pv_sindhu #japan_open #chen_yufei #tokyo_olympic
