India, July 20 -- As PV Sindhu climbed on to the top step of the podium at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Sunday, the camera panned to her face, showing her moist eyes.

Holding the champion's trophy, the weight of a difficult 19-month title drought lifting was visible. It was a special moment - she had just become the first Indian to win the Japan Open. The victory was a deeply personal triumph as well.

"For me, this title was very, very important," Sindhu said in a media interaction facilitated by the Badminton Association of India (BAI). "I must say, much waited and much wanted... This gives me a lot of confidence and a lot of belief that, yes, I can do it and it's not over yet."

This was Sindhu's first title since the Syed Modi...