Japan Open 2026: PV Sindhu Stuns World No. 5 Han Yue to Storm Into Quarterfinals

New Delhi, July 16: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu produced one of her best performances of the season to defeat world No. 5 Han Yue of China in straight games and advance to the women's singles quarterfinals of the Japan Open Super 750 badminton tournament here on Thursday.

The 2019 BWF Champion took just 35 minutes to register a 21-16, 21-14 victory over the fifth-seeded Chinese in the second round. The result also improved Sindhu's head-to-head record against Han to 8-1. Sindhu will next face Japan's former world champion Nozomi Okuhara, who progressed after top seed An Se-young of South Korea withdrew from her second-round match.

After a slow start in the opening game, Sindhu gradually found her rhythm and took control of the rallies, pulling ahead to claim the first game 21-16. The Indian carried that momentum into the second game, racing to an 8-0 lead and leaving Han Yue with little room to recover. Although the Chinese player managed to cut the deficit briefly, Sindhu stayed composed, maintained her grip on the contest, and wrapped up a convincing 21-14 victory in just 35 minutes. (adding this para and sending)

Earlier in the day, India's mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto bowed out after losing 20-22, 17-21 to China's Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in the pre-quarterfinals.

Japan Open 2026: Results (Round of 16)

• Women's Singles: PV Sindhu (India) bt Han Yue (China) 21-16, 21-14.
• Mixed Doubles: Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (China) bt Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto (India) 22-20, 21-17.