Sun Yingsha hits a return during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup Haikou 2026 table tennis tournament in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Haikou - China's Sun Yingsha clinched her first women's singles title at the Asian Cup table tennis tournament as she outlasted compatriot Wang Manyu 4-3 in the final here on Sunday.

It had been a see-saw game until the world top-ranked Sun took a 3-2 lead after winning the fifth game 11-7. Wang managed to take the sixth game 11-6, but Sun handled the pressure to seal the decider 13-11.

"We staged an excellent final together. I can feel the breath of Manyu during the match. The journey of winning this title left a wonderful memory for me," Sun said.

In 2025, Sun edged Wang 4-3 in the World Table Tennis Championships in Doha to retain her women's singles title. However, Wang had the upper hand in October, defeating Sun to claim the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash women's singles crown. At China's National Games in November, Wang once again won over Sun in the women's singles final.

"I believe we are undergoing a healthy competition. Both of us have improved our skills and mentality during the process, which made me feel even more delighted alongside the victory," Sun added.

The tournament marked Sun's first appearance since December 13 last year, when the ankle injury forced her to pull out of the women's singles semifinal against compatriot Kuai Man at the WTT Finals. Although she insisted on competing in the mixed doubles final later in the day, Sun was affected by the injury and finished runner-up together with teammate Wang Chuqin.

Also on Sunday, China's Kuai Man defeated Japan's Miwa Harimoto in five games (9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7) to take the third place. 

Wang Manyu hits a return during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup Haikou 2026 table tennis tournament in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Wang Manyu serves during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup Haikou 2026 table tennis tournament in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Wang Manyu hits a return during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup Haikou 2026 table tennis tournament in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Sun Yingsha celebrates scoring during the women's singles final between Wang Manyu of China and Sun Yingsha of China at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup Haikou 2026 table tennis tournament in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)