TOKYO – Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu ended a title drought of almost two years at the Japan Open on July 19 and said winning would give her “a lot of confidence”.

Sindhu, a world champion in 2019 and Olympic silver medallist in 2016, beat Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in Tokyo to win the competition for the first time.

It was her first title since she won the Syed Modi India International in Lucknow in 2024.

Sindhu has set her sights on a medal on home soil when New Delhi hosts the world championships in August, and she said her win in Japan would boost her chances.

“This one was very important because playing in finals is one thing, but winning and getting that gold is a different thing altogether,” the 31-year-old said.

“I’m happy that I’m on the positive side. This gives me a lot of confidence.”

Earlier in the week Sindhu said “everybody is beatable” as she targets a medal in New Delhi.

The world No. 10 had said on July 15: “Right now, with the game I’m playing, I think I just need to do a little bit of small tweaks and stick to my game plan, irrespective of who the other player is.

“Just keep fighting for every point. I feel that everybody is beatable.”

On July 19, Sindhu was playing in her first final since winning in Lucknow, after losing in the semi-finals twice on badminton’s world tour in 2026.

Sindhu jumped out to an early lead against world No. 3 Yamaguchi and held on to take the first game.

She clinched the title when Yamaguchi hit a shot that was called in, only for Sindhu to successfully overturn it with a challenge.

“I had tears in my eyes because it was really important to me,” Sindhu said.

“I am working hard and focusing ha...