Table tennis stars Zhu Yuling of China's Macao SAR and Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei delivered career-defining performances at the WTT Champions Doha tournament this week, claiming women's and men's singles titles respectively in a thrilling start to the 2026 season.
Zhu, who returned to international competition in September 2024 after a four-year break, overcame world No. 4 Chen Xingtong of the Chinese mainland in a dramatic 5-11, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8, 13-11 comeback victory. This marks her first WTT Champions trophy since her 2025 United States Smash triumph, solidifying her comeback narrative.
Lin ended a 26-month title drought for Chinese Taipei with a commanding 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, 13-11 win over the Republic of Korea's Jang Woo-jin. The victory marks Lin's first championship since his 2023 Champions Frankfurt success, revitalizing his position in global rankings.
As the table tennis world shifts focus, Doha prepares to host the WTT Star Contender event from January 13-18, continuing Qatar's role as a key hub for early-season competitions.
