Wang lifts second WTT Champions trophy
23 April 2023
Wang Manyu has been crowned Women’s Singles champion for the second time on the WTT Champions stage after scoring an impressive 4-2 victory over Chen Meng on the final day of play at WTT Champions Macao 2023 (11-13, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8).
The World champion was appearing in her second-ever WTT Champions final, exactly nine months on from lifting the trophy at WTT Champions ESS 2022 and was ready to shine under the Macao spotlight as she sought a return to international glory.
However, Wang knew she’d have to be at her very best on Sunday evening with Olympic champion Chen possessing a dominant 14:6 advantage in the head-to-head standings.
FOLLOW EVENT ACTION
Chen enjoyed the brighter start to the final, finding her stride early on to establish control of the rallies.
Looking slightly hesitant in her approach, Wang found herself up against the ropes in game one but slowly began to work her way back into the contest, saving three game points at 10-7. However, it was a case of too little too late as Chen converted at the fourth attempt to claim a one-game lead.
Game two followed a similar pattern as Chen established a 7-5 advantage, however, Wang stepped it up a gear, raising the tempo to capture the next six points in a row, levelling the game scores at one apiece.
With the crowd cheering wildly at the top of its voice, both players threw everything they had at the following two games, matching each other’s output with alternating game successes to keep the contest dead even at 2-2. As it turned out, this would prove the cue for one player to outshine the other.
Holding an 8-5 lead in the fifth game, Chen looked set to reclaim the overall advantage for the third time in the match, but Wang refused to let that happen, digging deep in the business end of the game to move ahead for the first time.
Chen continued to give her all, keeping pace with the World champion for 12 points in game six, but with the finish line in sight, Wang put her foot firmly on the accelerator to close out the match in style.
"I am very happy to win this title. I played well today. In fact, every time I have played with Chen Meng it has been very close, maybe the one who played better wins, but I still handled the key shots a little better today. I think the most valuable thing is the confidence that this gives me. Next, I would like to sum up the process of this competition, devote myself to the training, and prepare well for the World Table Tennis Championships." Wang Manyu
The result means Wang Manyu leaves Macao with her second WTT Champions trophy, and now turns her attention towards the 2023 World Championships in Durban as she bids to defend her prestigious title.
Meanwhile, Chen Meng is forced to settle for second best at WTT Champions Macao 2023, and will have to wait a little while longer to end her trophy draught with her last international success coming at Singapore Smash 2022.
Check out the complete results from Day 7 here.