PV Sindhu advanced to her first Japan Open semi-final on Friday after former world champion Nozomi Okuhara pulled out with an injury before reaching the women’s quarter-finals at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.The walkover sends the Indian superstar into the final four of the BWF Super 750 for the first time in his career. Sindhu also became the first Indian women’s player in 15 years to reach the semi-finals of the Japan Open, ending a wait that began when Saina Nehwal raced to the last four in 2011.
Sindhu’s impressive comeback in 2026 continues
The semi-final appearance is another highlight in Sindhu’s comeback season. After the start of 2026 he was ranked World No. 18, the two-time Olympic medalist climbed back into the top 10 and currently sits at World No. 9, for consistent performances on the BWF World Tour. This is Sindhu’s third semi-final of the season, having also reached the last four at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 and Australian Open Super 500.Before benefiting from Okuhara’s departure, Sindhu had produced a brilliant performance in the Round of 16, defeating World No. 5 Han Yue of China 21-16, 21-14 in just 35 minutes.With Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty and the pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty already out of the tournament, Sindhu is now the only Indian left in Tokyo.
Blockbuster semi-final awaits
Sindhu will also face the World No. 4 and Tokyo Olympian Chen Yufei of China in what promises to be a high-profile semi-final clash. Chen booked a place in the last four with a dominant 21-10, 21-12 victory over Sim Yu Jin of South Korea.The head-to-head record favors the Chinese athlete, who leads 8-6 and has won their last five meetings. Sindhu’s most recent win over Chen came at the 2019 BWF World Championships, where she won her first world title.
