When Sun Yingsha arrived for the ITTF Women’s World Cup Macao 2024, she carried both the pressure of expectation and the opportunity for fulfilment. As the world number one and holder of every other significant title—the World Championships, World Team Championships, Mixed Team World Cup, and WTT Women’s Finals—only the ITTF Women’s World Cup remained beyond her grasp.
For Sun, the tournament offered a pathway to redemption. Her previous Women’s World Cup final appearance had concluded in disappointment, a setback that had remained unresolved for four years. Now, within the spectacular Galaxy Arena, she faced the perfect opportunity to complete her impressive collection of major championships.
A Challenging Path
Sun’s journey to the final presented numerous obstacles. Despite her status as top seed, the competition proved formidable at every stage. The rejuvenated tournament featured an exceptional field of talent from across the globe, with each match delivering unique challenges.
Her semifinal contest against fellow Chinese player Chen Meng exemplified the tournament’s intensity. In a fluctuating encounter that showcased the impressive depth of Chinese table tennis, Sun emerged victorious 4-2 (11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 1-11, 14-12, 11-9). The match featured stunning rallies and momentum shifts, with Sun demonstrating remarkable composure after surrendering the fourth game by a considerable margin. Their familiarity with each other’s playing styles meant every point required maximum concentration and tactical awareness.
The Final: A Test of Character
The final match against Wang Manyu, however, would prove to be Sun’s greatest examination. Despite entering as favourite, Sun found herself swiftly under pressure as second-seeded Wang surged to an early advantage with remarkable intensity and precision. Soon enough, Sun trailed 3-1 in games (8-11, 5-11, 11-4, 5-11), her ambition of completing her collection of major honours suddenly in jeopardy.
What transpired next was a masterclass in competitive resilience—a demonstration of why Sun had ascended to the summit of the sport. She maintained her composure, adapted her approach, and initiated a remarkable turnaround. The fifth game saw Sun elevate her performance, utilising her swift footwork and measured attacking play to secure an 11-8 victory and reduce the deficit.
She sustained this momentum in the sixth game, commanding proceedings with an 11-5 win to square the match at 3-3. With everything hinging on a decisive seventh game, the atmosphere in the Galaxy Arena was electric. Sun established an early advantage, but Wang, displaying tremendous character herself, fought back to level the score. The two players were perfectly matched, with minimal separation between them as the score progressed.
In the crucial moments, Sun discovered another level. With the scores tied, she produced two points of exceptional quality to secure a 4-3 victory (8-11, 5-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9) and claim her first Women’s World Cup title.
Looking Ahead
As Sun Yinghsa prepares to defend her title at the ITTF Women’s World Cup Macao 2025, she does so as a complete champion—holder of every major honour and proven competitor at the highest level. Her journey from disappointed finalist to triumphant champion illustrates not just her exceptional ability but her remarkable capacity for growth and resilience.
The ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2025 takes place from 14-20 April at the Galaxy Arena in Macao, China.
