China's Sun retains table tennis world title
Sun Yingsha outwitted her opponent in a thrilling final to clinch gold with a 4-3 victory. (EPA Images pic)
DOHA : World No 1 Sun Yingsha overcame a stubborn challenge from compatriot Wang Manyu to retain her world title, outwitting the world No 2 in a thrilling final to clinch gold with a 4-3 victory in Doha today.
Former champion Wang, who beat Sun in the 2021 final, fought back from two games down and saved four championship points to take the contest down to the wire.
'We have played each other many times since childhood. So every time we meet in the finals, it would be a tough match,' Sun said.
The 24-year-old started well, winning the first two games 11-6, 12-10.
Wang bounced back to dominate the next two games, and was a point away from winning the fifth but Sun saved the game point took it 12-10.
Sun quickly took a 10-6 lead in the sixth game, putting her a point away from winning the championship, but Wang held her nerve to win the next three points.
The defending champion pushed for victory with a forehand that Wang barely got her paddle to, but the ball soared up high and nicked the table, putting Wang level at 10-10.
Wang seized the momentum to win the sixth game 13-11 and took a 3-0 lead in the decisive seventh.
'At that time my mentality fluctuated a little bit,' Sun admitted.
Sun, who had beaten Wang in nine of their previous 10 meetings, rallied to win the seventh game 11-7, however, to secure the title.
'Every day I fought hard… and I cherished each game. And I'm extremely happy I managed to stand till the last,' Sun added.
Japan won the men's doubles title for the first time in 64 years, with Hiroto Shinozuka and Shunsuke Togami edging out Taiwan's Lin Yun-ju and Kao Cheng-jui 3-2.
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