Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu (Photo WTT)
Sun Yingsha’s remarkable season has got even better, taking down long-time rival Wang Manyu in an epic women’s singles final at WTT Champions Macao 2025 11-8, 13-15, 11-9, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6.
The men’s singles honours has gone to her Chinese teammate Wang Chuqin, who capped his week with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Hugo Calderano 11-9, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4 in the final.
Being the two leading figures in the women’s game, it was only fitting that Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu would once again collide in a title clash. Both were former champions in Macao, and were looking for another accolade.
A spine-tingling atmosphere filled the arena as fans of both players let their voices be heard. Wang made a bright start, grabbing two of the first three points, but Sun would soon find her footing, opening up a commanding 6-2 lead in game one. Despite a late flourish from Wang, saving three Game Points, her shovel serve at 10-8 was immediately pounced upon by Sun, who delivered a stinging forehand to take the opener.
Game two opened in thrilling fashion with sensational table tennis from both players getting the Macao crowd on its feet. Another strong start from Wang saw her put some distance between her and ShaSha, but that 1-4 advantage would quickly vanish as the latter player made her presence felt again. The two superstars continued to trade blows with the margins tightening at 9-9. Wang would set up Game Point at 9-10 and then again at 10-11 and 12-13. Despite all three points being saved, she eventually converts at the fourth attempt, bringing the final to life.
The power on display from both players was immense, as the World No.1 and World No.2 showcased exactly why they are considered a league above the rest. Just like in game one, Wang produced another admirable comeback in the business-end of game three, forcing ShaSha into a time out call at 10-9 after saving five Game Points. That pause in play was exactly what the doctor ordered, as Sun reestablished her grip on the match.
End-to-end table tennis continued in a breathtaking final with momentum switching hands throughout. Now it was Wang’s turn to turn up the dial, hitting back in the fourth and fifth to take the lead for the first time.
Standing just one game away from her first title of the season, tension filled the arena as Wang pulled her way back from 10-7 to 10-9 in game six. But Sun didn’t fold under the pressure, forcing the match to a deciding game, the perfect finale to the Women’s Singles title race.
With the scores locked at 5-5, there was nothing to separate the superstars as they entered the final stretch. But with the next five points going to Sun, the World No.1 was now firmly in control. Wang would save one Championship Point, but she merely delayed the inevitable as Sun went in for the finishing blow, ripping a ferocious backhand on the third ball attack to bring home the title.
World Champion vs World Cup winner, Wang Chuqin against Hugo Calderano was a rivalry that had already seen gold medals and history-making moments this year.
Calderano arrived chasing more history, having stunned Wang on the same stage earlier this year to win the ITTF Men’s World Cup; the first ever for the Americas. Wang came hunting for redemption, for his third WTT Champions Macao crown, and for the World No.1 ranking.
The final promised a war. Instead, Wang tore through it with authority. From the first ball, he locked down the table, denying Calderano the time and space to unleash his power. The Brazilian fought to stay in the rallies, but every time he clawed close, Wang’s precision serving, sharp counters, and relentless pressure shut the door.
In just four games 11-9, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4, Wang seals his return as the sport’s top-ranked player in the coming week and lifted his third WTT Champions Macao title after triumphs in 2022 and 2023. Calderano leaves Macao as a finalist once again, but with his ticket to WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025 punched in, and with his status cemented as one of the game’s true global forces.
