Truls Moregard pocketed his maiden winner\u2019s trophy, seeing off rising star Sora Matsushima 11-9, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 in the men\u2019s singles title clash at WTT Champions Montpellier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Third seed Wang Yidi claimed the women\u2019s singles title following a dramatic 8-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9 win over Sabine Winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having held the upper hand against Matsushima at Europe Smash \u2013 Sweden 2025, it also set one of the key steppingstones on Moregard\u2019s path to a magical title win at the Infinity \u221e Arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moregard was the out-and-out favourite and he made a promising start to the final, leading by two heading into the first towel break. While Matsushima brought his famous brand of high-intensity offense, his Swedish counterpart rose to it, letting out a huge roar as he bagged a crucial opening game, willing the crowd on to raise the decibels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 6-6 in game two, a fortunate edge shot put Moregard back out in front, while an audacious around the net forehand drew gasps from the Montpellier stands. Matsushima produced an admirable response from 9-6 to 9-8, but Moregard was having none of it, raising the temperature with a jaw-dropping inside out forehand to build a commanding lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this best of seven games clash there was still plenty of time for Matsushima to make a breakthrough. However, a net cord ball at 4-2 in the third would only add to the Japanese player\u2019s frustration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recognising the importance of game three in the overall context of the match, Moregard used his one and only time-out at 10-7 after seeing three game points come and go. Delivering a deep baseline serve on his return to the table, Matsushima was caught out. Moregard, who had been at his devastating best for three games, was now sitting just one away from the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A dejected Matsushima continued to rue his luck early in the fourth, helplessly watching on as Moregard assembled a 3-0 lead. In a last-ditch effort to try and salvage something from the match, Matsushima called time-out, turning to coach Masataka Morizono in desperate need of a spark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 18-year-old prodigy would show some fighting spirit, catching his opponent out on a couple of occasions to force his way ahead at 7-9. But this was Truls Moregard on the other side of the table, a player who always has something up his sleeve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swatting away Matsushima\u2019s service in ruthless fashion, Moregard would then capitalise on a long service, unleashing a devilish shot down the line to level the scoreboard at 9-9. Making Matsushima pay on the third ball attack, Moregard now had Championship Point in his hands, and with Matsushima sending his return long, a new champion was crowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three-times a beaten semifinalist at this level, now the Swede becomes only the second-ever European player to lift a purple men\u2019s singles title, following in the footsteps of Montpellier\u2019s own Felix Lebrun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It feels crazy to win this, I\u2019m so happy. It\u2019s been a crazy year, winning a Smash (Europe Smash \u2013 Sweden 2025) and now this Champions event. WTT Champions events are very famous and respected in our player group. We know that when we go to these events it\u2019s almost impossible to win as only the best 32 players in the world are here. It feels incredible to stand here with this trophy, I dreamt of it, and now here we are,” said Moregard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n