Sindhu extends Japan Open momentum with victory over Hooda at China Open
India's PV Sindhu defeated compatriot Unnati Hooda 21-14, 9-21, 21-10 in the China Open opening round, avenging last year's defeat while riding high on confidence from her breakthrough Japan Open title.
Sindhu carries winning form from Japan Open to China
India's star shuttler PV Sindhu continued her resurgence at the China Open Super 1000 in Changzhou, defeating rising talent Unnati Hooda 21-14, 9-21, 21-10 in a hard-fought opening-round encounter that lasted 56 minutes on Wednesday.
The victory marks another confident performance from the 31-year-old, who is riding a wave of momentum after claiming her maiden Japan Open title last week. That triumph in Tokyo ended a frustrating 19-month title drought for Sindhu, whose previous BWF World Tour victory came at the Syed Modi International in December 2024. The Japan Open crown was particularly significant as her first BWF Super 750 title and first tournament win outside India since the 2022 Singapore Open.
In the Japan Open final, Sindhu had defeated three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in straight games to become the first Indian to win the prestigious tournament, displaying the relentless attack and tactical discipline that have defined her illustrious career.
Wednesday's win also carried personal significance for the two-time Olympic medallist, as it avenged her defeat to Hooda at last year's China Open. The 18-year-old, currently ranked World No. 24, had stunned Sindhu 21-16, 19-21, 21-13 in the pre-quarterfinals of the 2025 edition, marking her first victory over the senior star in a performance that defied expectations.
Despite their growing familiarity with each other's game, the all-Indian clash remained closely contested throughout. Sindhu appeared composed and largely error-free, carrying forward the confidence from her Japan breakthrough, while Hooda showcased the fighting spirit that has marked her rapid rise through the ranks. The young prodigy, who became the youngest Indian to win a BWF Super 100 title at age 14 with her Odisha Open victory in January 2022, has achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 19 in May 2026.
However, Sindhu raised her level when it mattered most in the deciding game, pulling away decisively to seal the victory and advance to the second round of the Super 1000 event at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.
Following her win, Sindhu posted an enigmatic message on social media that left fans speculating.
The future knocked. The present answered. Some seats aren't offered. They're earned.she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Shetty continues giant-killing form
Earlier in the day, India's Ayush Shetty extended his impressive run with another statement victory, defeating World No. 11 Alwi Farhan of Indonesia 21-17, 9-21, 21-17 in a three-game battle lasting nearly an hour.
The World No. 23's triumph continues his giant-killing streak that began at the Badminton Asia Championships in April, where he reached the final to claim India's first-ever silver medal in men's singles at the continental event. During that run, the 20-year-old had stunned world No. 1 and Olympic silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 in the semifinals, marking his first victory over the Thai star and propelling him to a career-high ranking of World No. 18.
Both Sindhu and Shetty will look to maintain their momentum as they progress deeper into the China Open, which runs through July 26 with a total prize pool of $2,000,000.
