India’s ultimate podium hope at the Australian Open 2026 officially drew to a close on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as badminton ace PV Sindhu suffered a gruelling, straight-games defeat to reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi. Competing in the high-stakes women's singles semifinals at the Quaycentre in Sydney, the top-seeded Japanese juggernaut registered a hard-fought 22-20, 21-12 victory to punch her ticket to Sunday's grand finale.
