PV Sindhu reaches Japan Open final after Yufei retires

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu advanced to the high-stakes Japan Open 2026 final on Saturday after her formidable opponent, Chen Yufei, retired due to a severe hamstring injury. Sindhu displayed exceptional form during the prestigious Super 750 semifinal match, comfortably leading 21-19, 15-10 before the reigning Olympic champion officially withdrew from the contest. This crucial victory shatters a frustrating five-match losing streak against her Chinese rival that had stretched all the way back to the 2019 World Championships. Sindhu controlled the court tempo right from the opening serve using remarkable hand speed and deep vertical smashes. National coach Irwansyah implemented a precise strategy prioritising aggressive baseline drops to neutralize Yufei's celebrated defensive footwork. The 31-year-old Indian athlete repeatedly extended her rallies to dominate the 44-minute duel, forcing rapid, tiring transitions between the front and back court areas. Although Yufei fought hard to claw back from a 16-11 deficit to equalize the first game at 19-19, Sindhu successfully sealed the opening game using a clever, deceptive cross-court drop that caught her rival completely off guard.

Physical Intensity Forces Retirement

Physical exhaustion caught up with Yufei in the second game as she visibly struggled with restricted lateral movement on the court. Sindhu capitalized on this vulnerability immediately, building an early 3-0 lead by targeting powerful, unreturnable shots directly toward her opponent’s shoulder line. The constant pressure from Sindhu's explosive baseline drops eventually forced Yufei to stop playing while clutching her injured leg. This milestone performance marks Sindhu's first major final appearance of the current season, confirming that her physical conditioning remains top-tier.