Wang Chuqin of China competes in the men's singles final at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao in Macao on October 23, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese paddlers Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha were crowned in the men's and women's singles finals at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao 2022 in Macao SAR, China on Sunday.

Wang, 22, defeated world No.1 Fan Zhendong to win the men's singles title in a close match going deep into the seventh game 11-5, 12-14, 12-10, 8-11, 11-1, 9-11, 11-8.

"Today's match was really intense. I feel really lucky in Macao because I have achieved good results here," said Wang, who won the postponed WTT Champions Macao 2021 China Stars in January.

Sun Yingsha of China competes in the women's singles final at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao in Macao on October 23, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

On the women's side, world No.1 Sun remained in charge throughout the final to take down compatriot Chen Xingtong 12-10, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6, 12-10 after a five-game battle.

"We both played equally well today. Maybe I was a little luckier," Sun said in a statement.

In the men's singles semifinal on Saturday, Wang, who surpassed world No.2, Ma Long, in the quarterfinal, beat Sweden's Truls Moregard 15-13, 15-13, 12-10, 11-6 after four breathtaking games, dazzling fans and getting the crowd on their feet when he took the second 15-13.

Fan's opponent Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei, managed to keep pace with him for five games. Still, with both sides attacking aggressively, the top seed finally secured his ticket to the final 11-1, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6.

"In the beginning, I was well prepared and in control. But Lin was a really competitive player. The fierce contest reflected our real abilities from the second game on," Fan said after the match.

China's Sun claimed a 4-0 semifinal victory over France's Yuan Jia Nan by 11-7, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6 to reach the women's singles final. 

"Jia Nan played really hard for each point. She was always trying to find a solution even though I was in the lead. I was prepared for the difficulties in the match," Sun said.

This is a fruitful month for China's national table tennis team. Earlier in October, China overcame Japan in straight matches to claim its fifth consecutive title in the women's table tennis team competition at the 2022 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

It was also a record-extending 22nd time for China to have lifted the Corbillon Cup in history, media said.

Also in October, China's men's table tennis team defeated their German opponents to claim their 10th consecutive title in the final at the 2022 World Team Table Tennis Championships.

Xinhua - Global Times