DOHA: The 2026 WTT Series crowned its first champions on Sunday as China’s Zhu Yuling and Taiwan’s Lin Yun-Ju claimed the women’s and men’s singles titles respectively at WTT Champions Doha, bringing five days of elite table tennis to a close at Lusail Sports Arena.
Under the purple glow of the Infinity Arena, Zhu lifted her maiden WTT Champions trophy, while Lin produced a flawless performance in the men’s final to end a two-year wait for singles silverware.
Zhu seals comeback with hard-fought final
Zhu Yuling underlined her return to the top with a resilient 4-2 victory over fellow Chinese player Chen Xingtong in the women’s final.
Zhu, who turned 31 this week, came through a contest marked by momentum swings and tactical adjustments, winning 5-11, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8, 13-11 to secure her second career WTT Series title.
Both players had navigated demanding semifinal encounters. Zhu halted Germany’s Ying Han 4-2, while Chen was dominant in a straight-games win over Kuai Man. In the final, Chen’s composure and control repeatedly tested Zhu, but the more experienced player responded by varying pace and placement to wrest back control at key moments.
It marked a significant milestone for Zhu, more than nine years after she first broke into the world’s top 20, reaffirming her longevity and status among the elite.
Lin Yun-Ju ends title drought
In the men’s draw, Lin Yun-Ju delivered when it mattered most, closing out the tournament with a composed performance to claim the title and his first WTT Champions crown since 2024.
Lin’s route to the final included a dramatic seven-game semifinal victory over Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, which he won 4-3 after surrendering a mid-match lead.
His final opponent, South Korea’s Jang Woojin, had reached his maiden WTT Champions final after upsetting top seed Lin Shidong in six games, becoming only the second Korean player to advance to a final at this level.
Lin, however, was in control in the championship match, producing a clinical display to secure the title and set the tone for the new WTT season.
With the Doha event concluded, the 2026 WTT Series opens with a clear message: the margins at the top remain razor-thin, and the season ahead promises unpredictability at the sport’s highest level.
