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PV Sindhu advanced to the women’s singles final of the 2026 French Open on Saturday, October 24, after defeating Japan’s Hina Akechi 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 in a 73-minute semifinal in Tremblay-en-France. The two-time Olympic medallist now faces South Korea’s world No. 1 An Se-young in Sunday’s title match, with a first French Open crown and a second Super 750 title of the season at stake.
The Indian controlled much of the opening game before Akechi fought back to take the second. Sindhu then held her nerve in a tight decider, recovering after the Japanese player drew level at 15-15 and closing out the match with her attacking play. The victory put Sindhu into her second Super 750 final of 2026, following her Japan Open triumph in July.
Sindhu began the semifinal with a strong attacking display, winning the first game 21-10. Akechi, the world No. 22, responded in the second game with sharper defence and deceptive strokes. Sindhu stayed in contention late in the game and saved a game point at 20-20, but Akechi earned another opportunity and converted it to force a decider, 22-20.
The third game became a test of patience and recovery. Sindhu opened with a 5-3 lead, but Akechi moved ahead briefly and continued to challenge at the net. After the Japanese player levelled the score at 15-15, a long 38-shot rally ended with an Akechi net error, allowing Sindhu to take an 18-16 lead. Sindhu then created match points and sealed the win with a cross-court smash.
The contest lasted one hour and 13 minutes. Sindhu’s ability to reset after losing the second game was crucial: rather than allow Akechi’s momentum to carry into the decider, she worked her way back into control and found the attacking shots needed at the finish.
The French Open final is another important marker in Sindhu’s 2026 season. She won the Japan Open Super 750 title in July and has now reached a second final at that level this year. Her progress in France follows a quarterfinal victory over Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian, whom she beat 21-13, 21-14 in 39 minutes.
Sindhu’s run has included a demanding opening-round match and a tough semifinal. Earlier in the tournament, she said the opening-round experience had reminded her not to relax when leading and to focus on the next point. That approach was tested against Akechi, who came back strongly after losing the first game and kept the decider close deep into the match.
Sindhu’s opponent in the final is An Se-young, South Korea’s world No. 1. The matchup presents a major challenge: reports ahead of the final put An’s head-to-head advantage at 10-0. The Korean has been in strong form through the tournament, making Sunday’s contest an opportunity for Sindhu to test herself against the leading player in women’s singles.
Sindhu has acknowledged that every point will matter against An and that she must focus on giving her best. The final offers her a chance not only to add another major title to her collection but also to secure a breakthrough at the French Open, a tournament she has not previously won.
- 21-10, 20-22, 21-16: Sindhu’s semifinal score against Hina Akechi.
- 73 minutes: Duration of the semifinal.
- Second: Sindhu’s Super 750 final appearance in 2026.
- July: The month Sindhu won the Japan Open Super 750 title.
- 10-0: An Se-young’s reported head-to-head lead over Sindhu before the final.
- 38 shots: The length of a key rally in the deciding game against Akechi.
The French Open women’s singles final is scheduled for Sunday, October 25. Sindhu will attempt to turn her strong run into a title, while An Se-young enters the match as the top-ranked player and the favourite based on their previous meetings. The result will determine whether Sindhu adds a French Open trophy to her 2026 Japan Open success.
For Indian badminton, Sindhu’s run provides another high-profile final appearance and a chance to measure her form against the sport’s current top-ranked player. After navigating a three-game semifinal, recovery and tactical discipline will be central as she prepares for one more match in France.
