Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Frenchman Felix Lebrun broke down barriers to be crowned the women’s and men’s singles champion respectively at the WTT Champions Chongqing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miwa became the youngest-ever player to win a WTT Champions crown on her third attempt, beating Kuai Man 11-6, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5 to lift her first title at this level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The young Japanese star, one of the most exciting prospects in table tennis right now, was bursting with pride and ecstasy as she crossed the finish line against Kuai Man in a tense match that lasted exactly one hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These two last met at WTT Champions Incheon last year, where Miwa pulled off a ruthless 4-0 win. But Kuai Man was in fantastic form in Chongqing, pulling off a stunning upset win over two-time champion Sun Yingsha, before confirming her place in the final with another commanding display against Wang Yidi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Team China came out in full force for this match, with the whole squad joining thousands of fans in Infinity \u221e Arena to cheer on Kuai Man, but it was Miwa who made a solid start, utilising her trademark backhand to lead 8-3. Miwa went on to take the game, but a few late points from Kuai Man acted as a warning that she could pose a threat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I see, so\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0the youngest champion.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0thrilled to hear that. Someone may break the record one day,\u00a0but until then,\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0be the youngest ever champion.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0really happy\u00a0to have claimed the title'” said Miwa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That threat came in the second game, as Kuai Man recovered from going 1-5 down to lead 8-5. Kuai Man was finding luck by attacking the serve and setting up powerful forehands, and soon enough, she was level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fans were being treated to a tactical masterclass, as both players were mixing up their serves, trying to keep the other guessing. It was Kuai Man who found the winning formula in the third and was now in the driving seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The heat was on the 17-year-old Miwa now, and she was dripping with sweat at the table. It\u2019s moments like these where champions are decided, and she called a time-out when leading 9-8. After a one-minute conversation with her coach, who is also her father, Miwa knew what to do, and the final was tied up again at 2-2.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miwa, who had fallen short in two WTT Champions finals before today, started to control the fifth. She stopped Kuai from drawing her into rallies and kept the exchanges short, and had the 22-year-old exactly where she wanted her. For the second time, Miwa took a game 11-6 and was just one win away from wearing the crown.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 12 points in the sixth, we were no closer to knowing who would win this one, but suddenly, both players put their foot on the gas. Miwa was moving Kuai Man across the table, at one point forcing her to return while facing away from the table. But Kuai Man was getting the rallies she craved earlier in the match, and this tie suddenly stepped up a notch. Kuai Man got two game points, took the second, and sent this one to a thrilling decider.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This match would now be about who could find new levels, and Miwa won a phenomenal point to go 8-5 up. She was forced back, lunged from side to side to return twice before she sprinted forward, closed the gap and sent one straight past Kuai Man. That epic point stunned Kuai Man, who failed to register another winner, and Miwa claimed a historic title.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m\u00a0pretty satisfied\u00a0with my performance today. Of course,\u00a0there were good parts and not-so-good ones,\u00a0but,\u00a0overall,\u00a0I’m\u00a0happy that I managed to win in the end.\u00a0As for the seventh game,\u00a0it’s\u00a0the deciding one, so\u00a0I knew I had to face it no matter what. I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0overthink it. I just told myself to swing the racquet and play it out.\u00a0That was\u00a0basically what\u00a0was on my mind as I kept playing,” said Miwa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n