PV Sindhu Storms into French Open Final After Thrilling Three-Game Win

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has stormed into the women’s singles final of the 2026 French Open Super 750 badminton tournament after defeating Japan’s Hina Akechi in a thrilling semifinal. The Indian star, who faced the world No. 22 in a 73-minute contest on Saturday, won 21–10, 20–22, 21–16. Sindhu dominated the opening game with powerful attacking shots, but Akechi fought back to take the second game and force a decider. In the third game, Sindhu recovered after trailing 14–15 and produced a strong late surge to seal the match. This is Sindhu’s second Super 750 final of the year, following her title-winning run at the Japan Open.

Sindhu will face South Korean star An Se-young, the world No. 1, in Sunday’s final on October 25. The Indian shuttler will be aiming to win her first French Open title after reaching the tournament’s final for the first time in her career. Sindhu’s ability to regain control in the deciding game proved crucial against Akechi, who pushed her hard throughout the encounter. The upcoming final presents a major challenge against An Se-young, who has enjoyed a strong record against the Indian star. Sindhu’s run to the final has further strengthened her position among the leading players in women’s badminton.