PV Sindhu breaks Chen Yufei jinx, reaches Japan Open final

Jinx broken in dramatic semifinal

PV Sindhu powered past world No. 4 Chen Yufei in the Japan Open semifinals on Saturday, securing a landmark win that puts her in the tournament's final. The victory ends a personal losing streak against the Chinese shuttler and makes Sindhu the first Indian woman to reach this stage at the Japan Open.

The match, part of the Super 750 series, saw Sindhu display both grit and tactical sharpness. She overcame Chen 21-18, 21-14 in straight games, a scoreline that belies the intensity of their exchanges.

Tactical shift and mental fortitude

Chen Yufei had historically troubled Sindhu with her pace and deceptive net play. But on Saturday, Sindhu turned the tables. She absorbed Chen's early attacks and responded with steep smashes that forced errors from the Chinese star.

In the first game, Sindhu trailed briefly but clawed back, using her reach to cover the court. The second game saw her take control early, though Chen pushed back. Sindhu held her nerve during a critical mid-game phase, refusing to let her opponent build momentum.

“It was about staying patient and not giving her easy points,” Sindhu said after the match. She acknowledged the mental challenge of facing a top-5 opponent who had beaten her in recent meetings.

Historic run at the Japan Open

The Japan Open, a prestigious Super 750 event, has often been a tough hunting ground for Indian shuttlers. Saina Nehwal reached the semifinals in 2014 and 2017 but could not cross the line. Sindhu's entry into the final is a first for Indian women's singles.

This tournament is also Sindhu's first Super 750 semifinal of the year. She had endured early exits in previous events, raising questions about her form. The win over Chen, a player who had beaten her in three of their last four meetings, signals a return to top-level consistency.

The Indian star will now face either an opponent from the other semifinal. Whoever it is, Sindhu will be the underdog based on recent rankings, but her performance in Osaka suggests she is peaking at the right time.

Chen Yufei, meanwhile, will reflect on a tournament where she showed flashes of her best but could not sustain it against Sindhu's relentless pressure. The Chinese player had been chasing a third Japan Open title.

What lies ahead

The final is scheduled for Sunday. Sindhu will aim to add the Japan Open trophy to her collection, which already includes the World Championships and two Olympic medals. A win would also boost her chances of qualifying for the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals.

For Indian badminton fans, this is a rare moment of celebration in a year where many top players have struggled with injuries. All eyes will be on Osaka come Sunday.