TABLE TENNIS / Taiwan's Lin Yun-ju wins WTT Doha championship

Taipei, Jan. 12 (CNA) Taiwanese paddler Lin Yun-ju (林昀儒) on Sunday took home the men's singles championship title at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Doha 2026.

Lin swept his South Korean opponent Jang Woojin 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, 13-11 in 41 minutes, giving the 24-year-old Taiwanese player his first win in a WTT men's singles event in over two years.

The match between Lin and Jang -- the world's No. 13 and No. 18-ranked men's singles players, respectively -- swung early in Lin's favor, as he took the first game by a comfortable 11-7 score.

In both the second and third games, Lin fell behind 4-6 early, but rallied back into contention to defeat Jang 11-9.

The two players engaged in a see-saw battle in the fourth game, playing to a 10-10 tie, before Lin pulled ahead in extra play to win 13-11.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Lin said he saw the win as an affirmation of his efforts in the sport, particularly after his two-year championship drought.

Lin's last win at a men's singles tournament was at the WTT Champions Frankfurt in November 2023, though he won gold medals in men's doubles and mixed doubles competitions last year.

Sunday's championship win earned Lin US$40,000 in prize money and 1,000 WTT ranking points.