PV Sindhu finished runner-up at the 2026 French Open after losing 21-16, 11-21, 12-21 to South Korea's world No. 1 An Se Young in the women's singles final on Sunday, October 25. The two-time Olympic medallist made an impressive start, winning the opening game, but could not maintain her momentum as the reigning Olympic champion fought back to secure the title.
The result extended Sindhu's winless record against An Se Young to 11 matches. However, the Indian's opening-game victory offered a glimpse of the attacking game that can trouble one of the strongest players in women's badminton.
PV Sindhu Starts Strong Against An Se Young
PV Sindhu began the final with confidence, using her reach, powerful smashes and well-placed attacking shots to put An under pressure. Both players produced lengthy rallies and sharp net exchanges, keeping the contest closely balanced during the opening stages.
An even battle developed as the score moved through 4-4 and 7-7. Sindhu then began to find openings with her overhead cross-court smashes, forcing her opponent to cover more ground and occasionally misjudge shots near the backline.
The Indian built a two-point advantage at the interval and extended her lead to 15-11. Although a few errors allowed An to close the gap, Sindhu regained control and moved to 19-14.
A disguised slice helped Sindhu earn six game points. An saved two, but her next shot went long, allowing the Indian to close out the opening game 21-16 in 20 minutes.
An Se Young Turns the Final Around
The second game brought a decisive change in momentum. An raced to a 3-0 lead and continued to apply pressure through precise net play and powerful attacks directed towards Sindhu's body.
Sindhu attempted to stay within reach with a cross-court smash and a body smash of her own. However, An's consistency and ability to control the rallies gradually widened the gap.
The South Korean reached the interval with an 11-7 advantage and maintained her command to win the game 21-11, levelling the match.
An carried that momentum into the deciding game. Sindhu continued to fight, but the world No. 1 proved difficult to contain as she built a lead and controlled the crucial exchanges. An eventually won the decider 21-12 to complete her comeback and lift the French Open title.
PV Sindhu’s Performance at the French Open 2026
Although Sindhu missed out on the title, reaching the French Open final marked an important result in her 2026 campaign. It was her maiden final at the tournament and her second BWF World Tour Super 750 final of the year, following her Japan Open triumph in July.
The Indian had also battled through a three-game semifinal against Japan's Hina Akechi to reach the title clash. Her performance against An showed that she could take the initiative against the world's top-ranked player, even though sustaining that level across all three games remained a challenge.
For An, the victory reinforced her position at the top of women's singles badminton. For Sindhu, the opening game offered encouragement, but the final also highlighted how quickly the South Korean can adapt when an opponent finds success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the PV Sindhu vs An Se Young French Open 2026 final?
An Se Young defeated PV Sindhu in three games, winning 16-21, 21-11, 21-12 from the winner's perspective. Sindhu won the opening game 21-16 before losing the next two.
What was the score in the French Open final?
Sindhu's game scores were 21-16, 11-21 and 12-21 against An Se Young.
Did PV Sindhu win a game against An Se Young?
Yes. Sindhu won the opening game 21-16, demonstrating her attacking ability before An recovered to win the match.
What was Sindhu's achievement at the 2026 French Open?
Sindhu finished runner-up in women's singles. She reached her first French Open final and her second Super 750 final of 2026 after winning the Japan Open in July.
Also Read: Lakshya Sen: Biography, Net Worth and Career in 2026
