The Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar played host to a spectacular conclusion of the WTT Champions Doha 2026, with Taiwan's Lin Yun-ju and China's Zhu Yuling emerging as the singles champions in a tournament that delivered drama, redemption, and world-class table tennis from January 7 to 11.

Lin Yun-ju silenced any doubts about his singles prowess with a dominant performance against South Korea's Jang Woojin in the men's final on Sunday. The 24-year-old Taiwanese star dispatched his opponent 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, 13-11 in just 41 minutes, claiming his first WTT men's singles title since his triumph at WTT Champions Frankfurt in November 2023.

The match between the world's 13th and 18th-ranked players swung decisively in Lin's favor from the opening game. After taking the first set 11-7, Lin showed championship mettle by rallying from early 4-6 deficits in both the second and third games to secure 11-9 victories. The fourth game proved the most competitive, with both players locked at 10-10 before Lin converted his title opportunity at 13-11. The victory earned Lin $40,000 in prize money and 1,000 valuable WTT ranking points.

However, the most compelling narrative of the tournament belonged to Zhu Yuling, whose women's singles triumph represented far more than just another title. The Chinese star defeated compatriot Chen Xingtong in the final to claim her maiden WTT Champions crown, propelling her back to world No. 5 in the ITTF rankings, a position she last held in 2019.

Zhu's journey to the Doha podium is one of remarkable perseverance. The former world No. 1, who reached the pinnacle of women's table tennis in November 2017, returned to international competition only in September 2024 following a four-year absence due to illness. During her time away from the sport, she pursued doctoral studies, demonstrating the same dedication to academics that she brings to the table.

Reflecting on the demanding schedule in Doha, Zhu acknowledged the physical challenges of her comeback. Maybe it is the first time that I played two matches in a single day since I came back, she noted after her victory. The triumph builds on the momentum she established with her US Smash victory in 2025 and confirms her return to elite status.

The tournament's prestige was somewhat diminished by the absence of reigning world champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, who both withdrew due to ongoing injury concerns. Their absence opened the door for other contenders to stake their claims, and both Lin and Zhu seized the opportunity with performances worthy of champions.

With 1,000 ranking points secured by each singles champion, the results will have significant implications for world rankings and Olympic qualification considerations. The WTT Champions series continues to establish itself as a premier showcase for the sport's elite talent.

Attention now shifts to the WTT Star Contender Doha, running from January 13 to 18, as the world's top players look to continue their strong starts to 2026. For Lin and Zhu, however, the focus will be on savoring their triumphs and carrying this winning momentum into the remainder of a promising season.