Two of China’s finest players, Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu who is playing her inaugural Women’s World Cup, displayed the hunger and fight required to compete at the highest level of table tennis in an end-to-end affair.
In a nail-biting battle, World No.1 Sun clinched victory with a hard-fought 4-3 triumph (8-11, 5-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9), showcasing her enduring dominance on the global stage. This thrilling final that went all the way, showcased the incredible talent and resilience of both players, with Sun making up for her 2020 Women’s World Cup final loss. This result will add to Sun’s record of all major ITTF and WTT titles having already won the ITTF World Championships, ITTF World Team Championships, ITTF Mixed Team World Cup and the WTT Women’s Finals. China has now emerged victorious in all 24 out of 25 Women’s World Cup titles since it’s debut in 1996 in Hong Kong, China.
Taking the lead early on, second seed Wang surged ahead, starting the match with incredible intensity that posed a significant challenge for Sun, resulting in a 3-1 game score in Wang’s favour. However, the top seed remained composed amidst the fierce competition and launched a remarkable comeback. With the scores tied at three games each, the two athletes were evenly matched, leaving little to differentiate between them. Yet, Sun elevated her performance to new heights, ultimately clinching victory and securing the title of World Cup champion with one final game.
‘I’m super excited, and what a tough match it was! Wang Manyu and I were both on fire, giving it our all because we both wanted that champion title. I started off trailing, but I pushed myself to stage a comeback. In the final game, I took the lead early on, but then Manyu caught up. It was neck and neck, but I managed to pull through with just a two-point lead. That’s what makes competitive sports so charming. I believe we’re both winners here. We both brought our A-game today. In that last game, I had a solid lead, but Manyu turned it around and tied the score. I got a bit antsy there, I’ll admit. Then, by some stroke of luck, I made a crucial shot. Anything can happen in a match, and I think today’s game will be invaluable for my future in table tennis. Winning feels like a stroke of luck. I feel excited about it. Big thanks to my fans for cheering me on, especially during that nail-biting last game. Every match in the World Cup, from the group stage onwards, is a challenge, but it’s also a chance for me to learn and grow. After that final decisive blow, I just collapsed onto the court, feeling a rush of relief. “Finally!” I thought to myself.’
Defeat for Wang who achieved an enormous feat to reach the finals in her Women’s World Cup debut and performed exceptionally well all week in Macao, China, Wang will definitely be back at the final stage in years to come. Despite just falling short in the final, Wang’s heroic performance captivated fans worldwide, highlighting her formidable presence in the sport.
Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu secured their tickets to the gold medal match after both posting 4-2 victories at the semi-final hurdle, accounting for China’s Chen Meng (11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 1-11, 14-12, 11-9) and Japan’s Miwa Harimoto (11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11,13-11) respectively.
With the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup final, all eyes are now on the Men’s World Cup final as two time Men’s World Cup winner Ma Long faces-off against Lin Gaoyuan, promising another thrilling showdown to finish off a week of insane table tennis action
