PV Sindhu Storms Into French Open Final for Clash With World No. 1
PV Sindhu defeats Hina Akechi to set up a high-stakes French Open final against World No. 1 An Se Young. Read more on the clash.
India's star shuttler and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has secured her place in the French Open final after a gritty performance against Japan’s Hina Akechi. In a high-intensity semifinal at the Arena Grand Paris on Saturday, Sindhu emerged victorious with a score of 21-10, 20-22, 21-16, capping off a match that lasted one hour and 13 minutes.
A Rollercoaster Semifinal Battle
The match began with Sindhu in complete control, dominating the first game to claim a comfortable 21-10 win. However, the momentum shifted in the second game. Hina Akechi fought back fiercely, maintaining a lead through much of the set. While Sindhu managed to briefly pull ahead at 16-all and held that advantage for two points, the Japanese player managed to claw back and force a deciding third game.
In the final set, Sindhu regained her composure and clinical edge, eventually sealing the win 21-16 to advance to the championship match. This marks Sindhu's second BWF World Tour Super 750 final of the season, adding to her successful campaign that included a title win at the Japan Open in July.
The Ultimate Challenge: An Se Young
The stage is now set for a blockbuster final on Sunday, where PV Sindhu will face the reigning world champion and World No. 1, An Se Young. This encounter will be the 11th time the two athletes have faced each other on the professional circuit and their third meeting this year.
The stakes are particularly high for the Indian shuttler; according to the Badminton Association of India (BAI), a victory would mark Sindhu's first-ever win over the South Korean powerhouse.
"I have to give her a good fight, a tough fight. Every point matters. I know we've played a lot of times and she's been doing really well. She's been at her top form. But I think tomorrow is a different day. Every day is a new day. I just have to go out there and give my best," Sindhu said regarding the upcoming final.
The Road to the Final
Sindhu's journey to the final was marked by consistent dominance. In the quarterfinals on Friday, the World No. 11 faced Chinese Taipei's Chiu Pin-chian. Sindhu left no room for doubt, winning in straight games (21-13, 21-14) in a match that lasted just 39 minutes.
- Quarterfinal Dominance: Sindhu led 11-5 at the interval in the first game and started the second game with a blistering 7-0 lead.
- Past Encounters: This victory was Sindhu's second win over Chiu, following a previous triumph at the Asian Games 2026 last month.