Tokyo: South Korea’s Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong completed a remarkable return to competition by winning the Japan Open women’s doubles title in one of the most dramatic badminton finals of the season.
The sixth-seeded Koreans came from behind to defeat China’s second seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian 14-21, 21-15, 30-29 in a gripping championship match at the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.
Watch highlights of Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong vs. Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian in the 2026 Japan Open final:
India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu also captured her first title of the year by overcoming home favorite Akane Yamaguchi in the women’s singles final, while China’s top-seeded mixed doubles pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping defeated Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet.
Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong Win Extraordinary 30-29 Decider
The women’s doubles final produced the most dramatic finish of the day, with Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong surviving an extended deciding game against Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian.
The Chinese pair made the stronger start and controlled the opening game 21-14. Kim and Kong responded with greater attacking pressure in the second, winning 21-15 to force a decider.
The third game developed into a marathon battle. Neither pair could create a decisive advantage as the lead changed hands repeatedly and both sides saved multiple championship points.
With the score locked at 29-29, the next rally decided the title. Jia and Zhang sent the shuttle out, allowing Kim and Kong to complete their 14-21, 21-15, 30-29 comeback.
The victory gave the Koreans their fifth win in six meetings with Jia and Zhang. It also provided revenge for their defeat to the Chinese pair in last year’s China Masters final.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong (6) of South Korea defeated Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian (2) of China 14-21, 21-15, 30-29
- Head-to-head record: Kim-Kong lead 5-1
- Achievement: First BWF World Tour title of the year for Kim and Kong
Kim-Kong Win Title in First Tournament Back Together
The championship was especially meaningful because it came in Kim and Kong’s first tournament together after a four-month absence.
The Korean pair had not competed together since the Badminton Asia Team Championships in February, with Kong sidelined by injury during the intervening period.
Despite the long break, they quickly rediscovered their partnership chemistry in Tokyo. Their defense remained difficult to break down, while their ability to switch from patient rallies into sudden attack helped carry them through the tournament.
Winning a Super 750 title immediately after returning is a major statement from the Korean pair and could place them back among the leading contenders in international women’s doubles badminton.
Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian Miss Third Title of the Year
Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian came within one point of adding another championship to their successful season but were unable to finish the match.
The Chinese second seeds had already won the Singapore Open, a Super 750 tournament, and the Australia Open, a Super 500 event.
They also survived a demanding semifinal against Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto, winning 21-15, 12-21, 23-21 after 86 minutes.
Although the Japan Open final ended in defeat, Jia and Zhang once again demonstrated why they remain one of the strongest combinations on the women’s doubles circuit.
P.V. Sindhu Defeats Akane Yamaguchi for First Title of the Year
In women’s singles, India’s former world champion Pusarla V. Sindhu defeated Japan’s third seed Akane Yamaguchi 21-19, 21-17 to win her first BWF World Tour title of the year.
The opening game was closely contested, with Sindhu and Yamaguchi exchanging the lead throughout the early and middle stages. Sindhu used her height and attacking reach effectively during the closing rallies to take the game 21-19.
Yamaguchi had endured a physically demanding semifinal against Indonesia’s sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani, needing 65 minutes to recover from a game down and win 9-21, 21-16, 21-14.
The effects of that match appeared more noticeable in the final. Sindhu maintained the pressure in the second game and closed out the title 21-17.
The result was Sindhu’s 16th victory in 30 career meetings with Yamaguchi.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Pusarla V. Sindhu of India defeated Akane Yamaguchi (3) of Japan 21-19, 21-17
- Head-to-head record: Sindhu leads 16-14
- Achievement: Sindhu’s first BWF World Tour title of the year
Sindhu Benefits From Withdrawals on Road to Final
Sindhu’s route to the championship match was unusual, as she advanced through two consecutive rounds without completing a full match.
Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew before their scheduled quarterfinal, handing Sindhu a walkover into the final four.
In the semifinals, Sindhu won the opening game against China’s Chen Yu Fei 21-19 and was leading 15-10 in the second when Chen retired.
Those shorter outings left Sindhu with more energy for the final against Yamaguchi, who had been required to complete a demanding three-game semifinal.
However, Sindhu still had to deliver under pressure, and she produced a composed performance to deny Yamaguchi a fifth Japan Open title.
Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping Capture First Japan Open Crown
China’s world No. 1 mixed doubles pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping won their first Japan Open title after overcoming Hong Kong’s seventh seeds Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet.
The Chinese top seeds prevailed 21-14, 14-21, 21-15 in a competitive three-game final.
Feng and Huang controlled the opening game with their speed at the net and aggressive attacking combinations. Tang and Tse responded strongly in the second, winning 21-14 to force a deciding game.
The Chinese pair regained control in the third. They created an early advantage and resisted Hong Kong’s attempts to close the gap before completing the victory 21-15.
The result extended Feng and Huang’s winning streak against Tang and Tse to five consecutive matches.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (1) of China defeated Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet (7) of Hong Kong 21-14, 14-21, 21-15
- Head-to-head: Feng-Huang have won their last five meetings against Tang-Tse
- Achievement: First Japan Open title for Feng and Huang as a partnership
Third World Tour Title of the Year for Feng-Huang
The Japan Open championship was Feng and Huang’s third BWF World Tour title of the year.
They had previously won the Malaysia Open, a Super 1000 tournament, and the Australia Open, a Super 500 event.
Their success in Tokyo further strengthened their position at the top of mixed doubles badminton and demonstrated their ability to win under different playing conditions.
Although Tang and Tse forced the match into a decider, Feng and Huang remained composed and produced their best badminton when the title was on the line.
Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet End Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin’s Run
Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet reached the final after ending the breakthrough campaign of Malaysia’s Jimmy Wong and Cheng Su Yin in the semifinals.
The Malaysian pair won the opening game 21-17 and led 17-14 in the second before Tang and Tse mounted a determined recovery.
The experienced Hong Kong combination took the final stages of the second game and went on to win 17-21, 21-18, 21-15.
Jimmy and Su Yin still enjoyed an outstanding tournament. Their run included victories over France’s sixth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, as well as Denmark’s world No. 3 pair Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje.
Tang and Tse were supported in Tokyo by Malaysian coaches Jeremy Gan and Tan Bin Shen, whose familiarity with Malaysian playing styles may have helped the Hong Kong pair prepare for the semifinal.
Japan Open Produces Dramatic Badminton Finals
The Japan Open delivered several memorable badminton news storylines, led by Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong’s extraordinary women’s doubles victory.
The Korean pair returned from a four-month absence and immediately won a Super 750 title, surviving one of the most dramatic deciding games possible under badminton’s 30-point scoring limit.
Sindhu also ended her title drought with a controlled victory over Yamaguchi, while Feng and Huang added another major championship to their increasingly impressive season.
For Kim and Kong, the 30-29 victory was more than just another tournament result. It showed that after months away from competition, they remain capable of beating the world’s leading pairs and competing for the biggest titles on the BWF World Tour.
