Under the bright lights of Malmo Arena, top seeds Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu produced a masterclass in resilience to claim the women’s doubles crown at the inaugural WTT Europe Smash. Facing Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Satsuki Odo in a clash of playing styles, the Chinese duo dug deep in a five-game thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The final kicked off with Harimoto and Odo stealing the first game 11-9, capitalizing on a late run to snatch the edge. Sun and Wang answered back in Game 2, fending off five game points before securing a 13-11 win to level the match. With the momentum shifting, they dominated Game 3 by racing to eight unanswered points and took it 11-8.
Game 4 saw twists aplenty as the Japanese pair rallied from a 2-5 deficit to force a decider, edging out Sun and Wang 13-11. But in the decisive Game 5, the top seeds rediscovered their rhythm, storming to an 11-2 victory and sealing a hard-fought 3-2 overall win. This triumph marked the second title for the Chinese side at the event, following Friday’s mixed doubles success.
Beyond the silverware, the victory underlines the duo’s growing synergy and adaptability under pressure—key traits in the fast-paced world of professional table tennis. Their performance also highlights the global evolution of doubles strategy, blending powerful attacks with lightning-quick defense.
Looking ahead, both players will turn their focus to the women’s singles final on Sunday, where Sun and Wang—ranked world No. 1 and No. 2—are set for an all-Chinese showdown. As the WTT Europe Smash reaches its climax, fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting more high-octane action from the sport’s best.
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Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu win women's doubles title at WTT Europe Smash
cgtn.com
