PV Sindhu reached the French Open final for the first time in her career, overcoming Japan's Hina Akechi in a three-game battle in Paris on Saturday. The two-time Olympic medallist will face world No. 1 An Se Young of South Korea in Sunday's summit clash, with a second Super 750 title of the year within her reach.

Sindhu, who won the Japan Open Super 750 in July, continued her encouraging run on the tour with a 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 victory over world No. 22 Akechi in an hour and 13 minutes. However, standing between the Indian and another title is an opponent who has proved particularly difficult to overcome.

An has been dominant on the tour, with Sindhu yet to register a win in their 10 previous meetings. The Indian suffered straight-games defeats to the Korean at the Indonesia Open and Singapore Open earlier this year. Sunday's final, therefore, presents Sindhu with a formidable challenge, even as her run in Paris offers reason for optimism.

SINDHU DELIVERS UNDER PRESSURE

Against Akechi, the 31-year-old displayed composure and resilience, particularly in the deciding game, when the Japanese shuttler threatened to pull off a comeback.

The opening game was closely contested until 8-8, but Sindhu raised her intensity to take an 11-9 lead into the interval. She then took control, winning 11 of the last 12 points to seal the game 21-10 in 18 minutes.

Akechi fought back in the second game, using deceptive strokes and sharp defence to trouble the Indian. Sindhu recovered from a four-point deficit and stayed in contention, drawing level at 16-16 before moving ahead with a deceptive return. However, the Japanese held her nerve in the closing stages, saving Sindhu's challenge at 20-20 before converting her second game point to force a decider.

Sindhu made a strong start in the third game, but Akechi refused to relent. The Indian held a two-point advantage at the interval before the Japanese rallied to level the score at 15-15 with precise net play and a smash.

With the match hanging in the balance, Sindhu found another gear. An exhausting 38-shot rally ended with Akechi making a net error, allowing the Indian to move ahead 18-16. Sindhu followed it up with a fine net shot before earning four match points when her opponent hit wide. She sealed the contest with a cross-court smash.

Akechi, 21, had enjoyed an impressive run in Paris, beating China's Wang Zhi Yi and Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani earlier in the tournament. Sindhu, however, found a way through the Japanese shuttler's resistance to book her place in the final.

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