Chinese paddlers Wang, Sun lift trophies at WTT Cup Finals

Wang Chuqin of China celebrates scoring during the men's singles final match against Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT Cup Finals in Xinxiang, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Gao Zhiyong/Xinhua)

China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha were crowned champions at the WTT Cup Finals.

XINXIANG, China, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- World No. 7 Wang Chuqin and his mixed doubles world title-winning partner Sun Yingsha won their respective men's and women's finals in style at the WTT Cup Finals here on Sunday.

Wang beat Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7 to the top honor, while Sun rallied past Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Chen Meng 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10, 6-11, 10-12, 12-10 for the title.

Harimoto is the only paddler having defeated Wang this month, prevailing 3-1 in Japan's semifinal defeat to China at Chengdu 2022 World Team Championships. The 19-year-old established an early momentum in Xinxiang before Wang hit back to win three straight sets.

Harimoto managed a fine showing in the following set but failed to stop Wang from closing out the game in six sets.

"We both played an excellent match today," Wang said after the final. "I've learned a lot from these past few tournaments, and there's a lot on my mind. I need to take some time to reflect on my performance."

It's the third championship for Wang so far this year, adding to his title-winning runs at the WTT Star Contender European Summer Series in Budapest and the WTT Champions Macao a week ago.

The 22-year-old, who upset Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1 Ma Long in a seven-set epic on Saturday to reach the final, will move up to third place after clinching the title.

Sun Yingsha (L) and Chen Meng of China greet each other after their women's singles final match at the WTT Cup Finals. (Photo by Gao Zhiyong/Xinhua)

Earlier in the evening, top-ranked female paddler Sun denied a late comeback from Chen to win a thrilling full-set game.

Trailing 3-1 after Sun chalked up three sets in a row, Chen prevailed in the following set before overturning a daunting 8-4 deficit in the sixth to force a decider.

The 28-year-old even saved three championship points from 10-7 down to level the seventh set at 10-all, but Sun held her nerve to close out the nail-biting game 12-10.

"Both Chen and I played to our best abilities. This was indeed a very tough match, and I'm just happy to win," Sun commented.

With the victory, Sun, who turns 22 in five days, defended the year-end title that she won last year in Singapore.