Sixteen Years Later, PV Sindhu Rewrites a Chapter Saina Nehwal Began

PV Sindhu has become the first Indian women's singles player to reach the Japan Open semifinals in 16 years, ending a wait that stretched back to Saina Nehwal's memorable run in 2011.

Sindhu booked her place in the last four of the BWF Super 750 tournament after former world champion Nozomi Okuhara withdrew ahead of their quarterfinal clash on Friday. The result also marks Sindhu's first Super 750 semifinal since the Denmark Open in 2023 and keeps her in contention for a first Japan Open title.

Saina Nehwal set the benchmark in 2011

Long before Sindhu established herself as one of India's greatest badminton players, it was Saina Nehwal who carried the country's hopes on the international stage.

At the 2011 Japan Open, Saina reached the women's singles semifinals, becoming the first Indian woman to make the last four of the tournament. Her run ended against Germany's Juliane Schenk, but it remained India's best performance in the competition for the next 16 years.

Beyond that semifinal appearance, Saina enjoyed several solid campaigns in Tokyo. She reached the quarterfinals in 2017 before losing to Spain's Carolina Marin and made multiple Round of 16 appearances during a career that saw her compile an overall record of around 10 wins and 10 losses at the Japan Open.

Despite never lifting the title, Saina's consistent performances helped establish India as a force in women's singles badminton.

PV Sindhu finally breaks the drought

Now, Sindhu has matched her senior's achievement.

The two-time Olympic medallist entered the semifinals after Okuhara's withdrawal, extending an encouraging run that has seen her reach three semifinals this season.

She had earlier made the last four at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 and the Australian Open Super 500, and will now face China's Chen Yufei for a place in the Japan Open final.

The semifinal appearance is also Sindhu's deepest run at the Japan Open and her first in a Super 750 event since 2023, signalling another step forward in her return to top form.

A rivalry that transformed Indian badminton

For over a decade, Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu defined Indian badminton.

Their rivalry captivated fans, with several high-profile meetings coming in major tournaments. Saina edged Sindhu to win Commonwealth Games gold on the Gold Coast in 2018 and also defeated her in the 2017 and 2019 National Championship finals. Sindhu, meanwhile, enjoyed victories of her own, including at the 2017 India Open Super Series.

Their contrasting styles made every meeting fascinating.

Saina built her success on relentless aggression, exceptional court coverage and tactical precision, while Sindhu used her height, powerful smashes and ability to thrive on the biggest stages to become one of the world's most feared opponents.

Yet, despite their fierce competition, the two have always shared mutual admiration. Sindhu has repeatedly acknowledged that Saina paved the way for the next generation of Indian shuttlers, while Saina has often credited their rivalry with helping elevate Indian badminton to the global stage.

Following Saina's retirement, Sindhu paid an emotional tribute, thanking her predecessor for inspiring countless young athletes across the country.

Two legends, one enduring legacy

Together, Nehwal and Sindhu have reshaped Indian badminton.

Saina became India's first Olympic badminton medallist with bronze at London 2012, rose to World No. 1 and inspired belief that Indian players could consistently challenge the world's best.

Sindhu took that legacy even further, becoming the country's first badminton world champion in 2019 while adding Olympic silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020 to her glittering resume.

Now, by ending the 16-year wait for an Indian women's singles semifinalist at the Japan Open, Sindhu has added another chapter to a story that began with Saina's breakthrough run in 2011.

Regardless of the outcome against Chen Yufei, the achievement serves as another reminder of how India's two greatest women's singles players continue to define different eras of excellence on the international badminton circuit.