Curtain comes down on WTT Star Contender Doha 2024
Doha: Wang Chuqin is the talk of the town in Doha for the second week running, after landing his second Men’s Singles title in eight days with a 4-2 win over Lin Shidong (11-8, 11-3, 10-12, 11-7, 4-11, 11-5) in a thrilling conclusion to WTT Star Contender Doha 2024.
Celebrating a magnificent end to the 2023 season with his run to a second WTT Finals title at last week’s WTT Finals Men Doha 2023, Wang was ready to double down in the Qatari capital as he looked to reduce the gap to Fan Zhendong at the top of the ITTF Table Tennis World Rankings.
With injury prompting Fan to withdraw from the title race on Day 3, Wang was presented with the perfect opportunity to close in on the World No.1, with 600 world ranking points up for grabs for the event winner. But his first focus was on Lin Shidong.
Two players at different points in their careers, the odds were heavily stacked in Wang’s favour heading into the final. But the World No.2 wasn’t prepared to take his opponent lightly, especially off the back of Lin’s crushing 3-0 win over No.4 seed Liang Jingkun in the last four (11-6, 14-12, 11-6).
Ruthlessly dispatching every opportunity that came his way, Wang wasn’t feeling in a charitable mood in Saturday’s final, and looked a class above in the early stages of the match, pouncing on every loose ball as Lin struggled to keep pace.
Wang Chuqin is the talk of the town in Doha for the second week running, after landing his second Men’s Singles title in eight days with a 4-2 win over Lin Shidong (11-8, 11-3, 10-12, 11-7, 4-11, 11-5) in a thrilling conclusion to WTT Star Contender Doha 2024.
Celebrating a magnificent end to the 2023 season with his run to a second WTT Finals title at last week’s WTT Finals Men Doha 2023, Wang was ready to double down in the Qatari capital as he looked to reduce the gap to Fan Zhendong at the top of the ITTF Table Tennis World Rankings.
With injury prompting Fan to withdraw from the title race on Day 3, Wang was presented with the perfect opportunity to close in on the World No.1, with 600 world ranking points up for grabs for the event winner. But his first focus was on Lin Shidong.
Two players at different points in their careers, the odds were heavily stacked in Wang’s favour heading into the final. But the World No.2 wasn’t prepared to take his opponent lightly, especially off the back of Lin’s crushing 3-0 win over No.4 seed Liang Jingkun in the last four (11-6, 14-12, 11-6).
Ruthlessly dispatching every opportunity that came his way, Wang wasn’t feeling in a charitable mood in Saturday’s final, and looked a class above in the early stages of the match, pouncing on every loose ball as Lin struggled to keep pace.
Facing a mammoth task just two games into the contest, Lin couldn’t afford to let the margin widen to three games, and looked much more at it in game three, showing better composure in the fast exchanges to open up a promising 8-10 lead. The 18-year-old then opted for time out at 9-10, a decision that would eventually pay off as he closed out the game 10-12 to make things interesting.
It didn’t take long for Wang to dampen Lin’s spirits again, hitting back immediately in game four to inch closer to the title. Lin was now in must-win territory, and put up a brave fight, showing great defensive prowess to catch Wang out with a high lob at 4-8. Showing signs of frustration for the first time in the final, Wang struggled to move on from the missed opportunity, allowing Lin just enough room to pull a game back.
The crowd inched closer to the edge of their seats as Lin won three of the opening four points in game six to threaten a comeback. But Wang kept his cool, claiming 10 of the following 12 points to kickstart the celebrations with a fist pump to the crowd.
Wang Chuqin now has clear daylight as the leading name atop the list of WTT Series event champions, boasting seven Men’s Singles trophies.
The 23-year-old left-hander also came away with another accolade earlier in the day, as he and Sun Yingsha combined to beat Lin Shidong and Kuai Man in an end-to-end Mixed Doubles final (12-10, 14-12, 3-11, 5-11, 11-6).
While it may not have been Lin Shidong’s day, the 18-year-old star can leave Doha with his head held high, proving he has the ability to compete with the best. His day will surely come, but for now it’s Wang Chuqin who takes the plaudits.
on the other hand, Sun Yingsha has started the new season just as impressively as she finished the last, picking up a ninth Women’s Singles title on the WTT Series with a 4-1 victory over Chen Meng (11-7, 11-6, 2-11, 11-7, 12-10) on the final day of play at WTT Star Contender Doha 2024.
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