Doha, Qatar – The Lusail Sports Arena erupted in deafening cheers on Sunday afternoon as Sun Yingsha successfully defended her Women’s Singles crown at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025. In an epic final that will be etched into the sport’s history, Sun defeated compatriot Wang Manyu with a nail-biting scoreline of 11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-7.
A Repeat of a Classic Rivalry
The match was a thrilling repeat of the 2021 final in Houston, a contest where little separated the two titans. In Doha, the stakes were even higher, and the intensity was palpable from the very first serve. Just as in 2021, “ShaSha” struck first, making a confident start to claim the opening game. The second game saw incredible tension; Sun clipped the net at 8-8 to inch ahead, but Wang responded with a beautiful counter on the stretch at 9-8, keeping the scoreboard tight. Wang even saved a game point at 10-9, but Sun ultimately doubled her advantage, taking the second game 12-10.
Wang’s Resurgence and a Shifting Momentum
Facing a daunting two-game deficit against the formidable World No. 1, the pressure squarely fell on Wang Manyu’s shoulders. And she rose to the occasion, igniting a superb start to the third game. Raising her level, Wang raced to a 5-10 lead before a perfectly timed timeout call. She then delivered a ruthless fifth-ball attack at 10-8, silencing any suggestion of a quick Sun Yingsha victory. This moment proved to be a significant turning point, sparking a huge momentum shift as Wang grew in confidence. Before long, the scores were incredibly level at two games apiece, bringing the final to life.
A Battle of Nerves and Skill
The fifth game was a true test of nerves. Wang held a game point opportunity at 9-10, poised to claim her first outright lead of the match. However, Sun delivered a crushing blow, hitting hard and fast to deny her compatriot, ultimately taking the game 12-10.
The tension escalated further in the sixth game as Sun stood just one game away from defending her title. She even held four championship points at 10-6, with the Geist Prize seemingly within her grasp. But in an astonishing twist of fate, Wang mounted an incredible comeback. She clawed her way back to 10-8, then struck the edge to narrow the gap to 10-9. Demonstrating incredible reflexes, Wang then produced a jaw-dropping lob shot that clipped the edge of the table on its way down, leaving “ShaSha” visibly shocked. Wang seized the moment, maintaining her relentless pressure to force the match to a full seven games.
History Beckons, Sun Embraces It
Wang continued her surge in the decider, claiming the first three points and later holding a 5-7 lead, signaling that the 2021 champion might be about to reclaim her trophy. But a late turnaround completely flipped the script. History beckoned for Sun Yingsha, and she embraced it with unwavering determination, fighting with all her heart to rewrite history once again.
As the final point was secured, Sun Yingsha held out her arms, soaking up the spine-tingling atmosphere from the roaring stands. She then embraced her compatriot, Wang Manyu, in a display of incredible sportsmanship, before bowing to the appreciative crowd.
In a heartwarming post-match interview, Sun Yingsha paid tribute to her fellow finalist, praising Wang Manyu’s unwavering determination in a match destined to become a legend of World Championships Finals.
“It’s been an incredibly tough match and I’m happy to have won it. But I don’t think there are any losers here – (Wang) Manyu and I are both winners. We’ve had so many close matches like this before. We’re each other’s strongest rivals, and we always bring out the best in each other through positive competition. Today, we both did an excellent job. I took a 2-0 lead first, then she levelled it to 2-2. In the fifth and sixth sets, she fought hard to come back. Although I won eventually, the momentum kept shifting back and forth, with so many ups and downs. It was truly a test of mental strength and overall skills. I’m happy to have won the title in the end, lucky to be the last one standing. We both gave it everything.”
