World Table Tennis Singapore Smash 2024: Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu win singles titles
The People’s Republic of China’s Wang Chuqin beat compatriot Liang Jingkun 4-1 (11-6, 11-8, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6) in the men's singles final to win his first WTT Singapore Smash on Sunday (17 March).
Chuqin is set to return to the world's number one position in the global rankings, with the victory underlining his status as the top paddler. The 23-year-old Chuqin also won the mixed doubles final with Sun Yingsha earlier in the tournament.
Wang did not have it all his way and had to battle his way back in the second game to go 2-0 up against the man who held a 4:3 advantage in their head-to-heads.
He saved four game points to level the scores before moving ahead to claim the third game and a sniff at winning his first Singapore Smash title.
Chuqin again looked set to fight his way back to victory in the fourth, but this time, Liang prevailed to give himself a small chance at upsetting his countryman.
The fifth game swung back in Chuqin’s favour, with the world number two putting the hammer down, overcoming Liang 11-5 to win the match.
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Wang Manyu crushes Wang Yidi for the women's title
World number three Wang Manyu claimed her maiden Singapore Smash singles title, adding to her doubles triumph with Chen Meng the day before.
Manyu swept past compatriot Wang Yidi 4-1 (11-8, 11-6, 11-4, 7-11, 11-1) in the final, delivering a masterclass performance.
The 25-year-old Manyu finally won the coveted title after finishing as runner-up at the 2022 edition, where she bowed the knee against Chen.
World number one Sun Yingsha suffered an early departure in the women’s singles following a 4-2 defeat to Chen Xingtong in the quarter-finals, sinking her chances of defending her triple crown.
Manyu came into the final with a psychological advantage, having won 4-1 over former champion Chen in their semi-final clash. The opening game of the final was evenly poised between Manyu and Yidi, with the latter taking the early advantage.
Manyu grew in confidence as the match progressed and looked set to win the contest in straight games.
Yidi won the fourth game against the flow of the match, raising her hopes of launching a spectacular fightback. But her dreams were dashed in the fifth, with Manyu inflicting maximum damage with an 11-1 demolition.