The 35th edition of the Asian Cup 2026, held in Haikou, China, delivered two high-level singles finals that showcased the absolute pinnacle of the sport. The tournament was particularly significant for World No. 1 Sun Yingsha, as it marked her successful return to competition after recovering from an ankle injury.
Women’s Singles: Sun Yingsha’s Historic First
In the women’s event, Sun Yingsha captured her first-ever Asian Cup title after a thrilling battle against teammate Wang Manyu. The match was a see-saw affair that went down to the absolute wire. Sun took a 3-2 lead, but Wang forced a decider by winning the sixth game. In a high-pressure final set, Sun held her nerve to win 4–3 (13-11 in the decider). The victory highlighted Sun’s mental fortitude and her ability to perform at her peak when the stakes are highest.
Men’s Singles: Wang Chuqin Retains His Crown
On the men’s side, World No. 1 Wang Chuqin successfully defended his continental title by defeating Tomokazu Harimoto 4–2 in the final. Harimoto started aggressively, taking a 2-1 lead early on. However, Wang gradually found his rhythm, using his superior speed and powerful topspin game to win three consecutive games (11-5, 11-8, 11-6) to seal the victory.
These two wins underline China’s continued dominance on the Asian stage and set a formidable tone for the remainder of the 2026 international season.
References
Xinhua / China Daily – Sun Yingsha caps injury return with Asian Cup title
Xinhua / People’s Daily – China’s Wang Chuqin retains men’s singles title at table tennis Asian Cup