WTT Singapore Smash: New singles champions emerge, but China paddlers still sweep all five titles

SINGAPORE — World No.1 in-waiting Wang Chuqin signed off a successful week in Singapore when he clinched both the men's singles and mixed doubles titles at the WTT Singapore Smash tournament.

The 23-year-old world No.2 Chinese paddler, who is set to take over Fan Zhendong atop the men's world rankings next week, defeated compatriot and world No.5 Liang Jingkun 11-6, 11-8, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6 in the men's singles final at OCBC Arena on Sunday.

Wang's first Singapore Smash singles title - after Fan had won the previous two editions - came after he paired up with women's world No.1 Sun Yingsha to win the mixed doubles title on Friday, after beating South Korea's Shin Yu-bin and Lim Jong-hoon 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7.

“I’ve not won against Jingkun for some time. So, before this match, I prepared myself with the right mindset by adopting a fighter’s mentality. My aim for the final was to play to my best ability. I fought for every point without holding back. I’m very happy I won,” said Wang.

Wang was however unable to retain the men's doubles title he had won in the past two Singapore Smash editions with Fan, as they narrowly lost to compatriots Ma Long and Lin Gaoyuan 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 12-14 on Saturday.

Wang Manyu erases 2022 heartbreak with singles triumph

In the women's singles final, China's Wang Manyu also won her first Singapore Smash singles title, as the world No.3 defeated compatriot Wang Yidi 11-8, 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 11-1.

The victory erased the heartbreak of her final defeat by two-time winner Sun in 2022, and adds to her women's doubles victory on Saturday, when she teamed up with Chen Meng to easily defeat Taiwan's Li Yu-jhun and Cheng I-Ching in straight games, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5.

“I’m very happy to win the women’s singles title. My overall mindset improved as I progressed through the stages. Wang Yidi is a familiar opponent, and I knew I had to put up a strong fight without holding back. My mind was calm throughout the match and was able to unleash my game with quality shots," said Wang, who is set to move one spot up to world No. 2 next week.

Singapore's youth paddler Ser Lin Qian made it to the Under-19 girls' final of the concurrent WTT Youth Star Contender Singapore tournament, but lost to China's Qin Yuxuan 11-7, 11-2, 12-10.

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