Gold medalist Sun Yingsha of China reacts during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles event at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/He Zhangshan]

DOHA, May 25 (Xinhua) — Defending champion and world No. 1 Sun Yingsha defeated second-ranked Wang Manyu 4-3 to retain her women's singles title at the World Table Tennis Championships on Sunday, adding to the mixed doubles crown she had claimed earlier in the tournament.

Roared on by a lively crowd, Sun prevailed over the 2021 world champion in a thrilling final, winning 11-8, 12-10, 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-7 in 88 minutes.

Wang saved three match points including an edge ball that went in her favor and went on to win the sixth set and led 3-0 in the deciding set, before Sun took four straight points from 7-7.

"My faith wavered at one point, but I just hung in there and fought to the last point," said Sun.

"Manyu and I have been playing against each other since we were children. Our games are always very close."

China's Chen Xingtong and Japan's Mima Ito claimed bronze medals after falling in the semifinals.

Gold medalist Sun Yingsha (2nd L) of China, silver medalist Wang Manyu (1st L) of China, bronze medalists Chen Xingtong (2nd R) of China and Ito Mima of Japan take selfies during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles event at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]

Gold medalist Sun Yingsha (2nd L) of China, silver medalist Wang Manyu (1st L) of China, bronze medalists Chen Xingtong (2nd R) of China and Ito Mima of Japan pose during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles event at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]

Gold medalist Sun Yingsha of China reacts during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles event at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu]

Thomas Bach (front L), president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), passes the trophy to gold medslist Sun Yingsha (front R) of China during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles event at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu]

Sun Yingsha celebrates after winning the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu]

Sun Yingsha reacts after winning the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/He Zhangshan]

Sun Yingsha celebrates after winning the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu]

Sun Yingsha celebrates after winning the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Liu Xu]

Sun Yingsha (L) reacts during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]

Sun Yingsha (R) hits a return during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/He Changshan]

Sun Yingsha serves during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu]

Sun Yingsha (L) serves during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]

Wang Manyu celebrates scoring during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Liu Xu]

Sun Yingsha reacts during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu]

Sun Yingsha reacts during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu]

Wang Manyu reacts during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]

Sun Yingsha hits a return during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2025. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha