Lin Yun-ju (left) of Chinese Taipei, and Macau's Zhu Yuling pose with their trophies after winning the singles titles yesterday. AFP
Doha, Qatar: The Infinity Arena at Lusail Sports Hall witnessed two remarkable comeback stories yesterday, as Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju and Macau’s Zhu Yuling captured the men’s and women’s singles titles at WTT Champions Doha 2026.
Yun-Ju’s title came after a 798-day wait for silverware with a dominant straight-games win (11-7, 11-9, 11-9, 13-11) over South Korea’s Jang Woojin, while former World No.1 Yuling tasted a major title win after a four year hiatus, battling past Chen Xingtong 4-2 (5-11, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8, 13-11) in a thrilling final.
South Korea’s Jang Woojin (top) hits a return against Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei.
Despite maintaining a consistent presence in major tournaments in the last two years, Yun-Ju missed out on title glory, but the 24-year-old was in prime form yesterday.
Yun-Ju controlled the final from start to finish as he ended Woojin’s impressive run in Doha, which included knocking out the top seed Lin Shidong (4-2) in the semi-final earlier yesterday.
It was Yun-Ju’s first WTT Series title since his victory at WTT Champions Frankfurt in 2023, and his fourth overall.
Unlike the one-sided men’s final, the women’s title clash turned out to be an absolute thriller.
After Chen seized early control, Yuling fought back to level twice before a crucial fifth game win that saw Yuling take the lead for the first time in the match.
After Yuling led the sixth game 7-4, Yuling fought back level at 8-8 and took a 10-9 lead.
The 31-year-old Yuling put her experience into use in the latter part of the game, making a comeback to finish the encounter at 13-11 and seal the title.
Yuling said she felt calm despite the explosive nature of the title clash.
“I am feeling relatively calm since I haven’t come out of the match yet,” Yuling said.
“I played two matches today, which is the first time since I came back. It’s a big test for my physical and mental strength,” Yuling, who felt she had reached her limit after the semi-final earlier yesterday.
“I don’t know whether I am already reaching the end of my table tennis career.
"I don’t know when it will end. If I want to carry on, I’d treat every match, every day and every experience as the last one to compete and leave no regrets," Yuling said.
"I will train hard and fight harder in my life to establish a great future,” Yuling added.
Action in Doha now moves to the WTT Contender Junior event from January 19 to 22, and the WTT Star Contender Junior from January 23 to 25, both part of the 31st Qatar International Table Tennis Championship series.
The month-long series concludes with the WTT Feeder Doha 2026 Tournament from January 27 to 31.
