Akane Yamaguchi continued her impressive run of form by securing a place in her fourth consecutive final with a straight-games victory over India’s P. V. Sindhu at the SATHIO GROUP Australian Open 2026 in Sydney on Saturday.
The Japanese top seed defeated Sindhu 22-20, 21-12 in the women’s singles semifinal, extending her unbeaten record against the Indian star since 2022. Yamaguchi, a three-time world champion, has enjoyed a remarkable stretch over the past month, winning the Thailand Open before finishing runner-up to world No. 1 An Se Young at both the Singapore Open and Indonesia Open.
The 29-year-old has not dropped a game throughout the Australian Open campaign and once again showcased her trademark defensive skills against Sindhu. After edging a closely contested opening game, Yamaguchi took control of the match in the second, forcing errors and dictating the rallies.
Speaking after the match, Yamaguchi credited her defensive play and a tactical adjustment that has worked well in recent tournaments. She explained that targeting opponents with body shots has helped create mistakes and provided an effective attacking option.
Despite a demanding schedule that has seen her reach four straight finals, Yamaguchi said she remains confident about her physical condition and is looking forward to another title opportunity.
Awaiting her in the final is Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong, who prevented an all-Japanese showdown by defeating former world champion Nozomi Okuhara 21-18, 11-21, 21-12 in a hard-fought semifinal lasting 66 minutes.
The second-seeded Chochuwong will play her first final since finishing runner-up at the Thailand Open in May 2025. The Thai shuttler said renewed confidence in her fitness after recovering from injury played a key role in her victory. She also praised Okuhara’s fighting spirit, noting that she had to match the Japanese veteran’s determination to secure the win.
The final will see two in-form players battle for the Australian Open women’s singles title.
