Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu defeated home favorite Akane Yamaguchi in straight games to win her first Japan Open title and first Super 750 crown in Tokyo on Sunday.The 31-year-old became the first Indian to win the Japan Open after beating the three-time world champion 21-17, 21-17. The victory ended his title drought of more than two years and marked his biggest title since winning the World Championships in 2019.Sindhu’s previous title came at Syed Modi International in 2024.Yamaguchi was playing in her sixth Japan Open final, while Sindhu had not beaten the Japanese player in a full match in four years. Their meeting at the Malaysian Open earlier this year ended after Yamaguchi retired after the opening game. Sindhu’s last full match win came at the 2022 Thailand Open.On Sunday, Sindhu was in control for most of the contest. His net play played a key role as he repeatedly forced Yamaguchi to lift the shuttlecock before finishing points with crosses and body smashes.Sindhu took an early 3-0 lead before Yamaguchi leveled the score at 3-3. The opening game was close in the early stages, with both players trading points and errors.Sindhu moved ahead 8-6 after winning several points through her net game and extended the lead to 9-6 with a powerful smash. However, Yamaguchi fought back and went into the halftime break with a two-point lead.After the break, Sindhu earned a 36-shot rally to level the scores at 11-11 and quickly regained control. A cross-court smash, a net winner and a deep drive helped him open up a 16-12 lead.Yamaguchi narrowed the gap before both players produced a 38-shot rally to 17-15. The Japanese player finished level but Sindhu responded with two important points to move ahead 19-17.Yamaguchi then hit the net before Sindhu closed out the opening game with a well-placed drive into her opponent’s corner.Sindhu carried that momentum into the second game. She controlled the rallies from the front court and raced to an 8-3 lead after winning an exchange of 44 shots.Although Yamaguchi narrowed the gap to 8-7 after a few errors from Sindhu, the Indian recovered to lead 11-7 at the break.Yamaguchi continued to struggle with her length and even lost a video challenge as Sindhu extended her lead to 14-7.The Japanese player made a final push to cut the deficit to 14-12, but Sindhu responded with two powerful smashes to move 17-14 and then extend the lead after another Yamaguchi error.Some late mistakes allowed Yamaguchi to close to 19-17, but the home favorite then hit wide to give Sindhu three championship points.Sindhu sealed the title when Yamaguchi’s final return landed long. The line call was confirmed after a video review.