Wang Manyu Claims WTT Europe Smash Women’s Singles Title in Sweden

Chinese table tennis star Wang Manyu won the women’s singles title at the WTT Europe Smash in Malmö, Sweden, defeating teammate Wang Yidi 4-2 in an all-Chinese final on August 16. The victory extends China’s dominance in international table tennis and marks Wang’s second consecutive Europe Smash final appearance, according to Xinhua News Agency.

A Hard-Fought Final

The top-seeded Wang Manyu edged world No. 8 Wang Yidi in a tense six-game contest with set scores of 12-10, 11-3, 9-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-5. The match was a rematch of sorts—Wang Manyu had also reached the 2025 final, where she fell to Sun Yingsha, who did not compete in this year’s event.

“I’m very happy to win the title,” Wang Manyu told China.org.cn, adding that the final against Wang Yidi was “very tight” and offered plenty for her to reflect on. “I need to quickly turn my attention to the training and competitions ahead while enjoying the win,” she said.

Road to the Final

Wang Manyu’s path to the title was marked by commanding performances. She swept compatriot Kuai Man 4-0 in the semifinals with set scores of 11-7, 11-4, 11-7, 11-8, as DotDotNews reported. “I didn’t expect the score to be so smooth,” Wang said after that match. “I know Kuai Man very well. I was very focused on every point and didn’t relax.”

Wang Yidi, meanwhile, secured her final berth with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Japan’s Miwa Harimoto in the other semifinal, as DotDotNews reported. The result guaranteed China the women’s singles title before the final even began.

Earlier in the tournament, Xinhua English reported that all three Chinese semifinalists—Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi, and Kuai Man—advanced through the quarterfinals, with Kuai Man prevailing in a seven-game thriller against Japan’s Hina Hayata.

China’s Two Titles

The 2026 WTT Europe Smash, held at the Malmö Arena from August 8-16, featured men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles competitions. China wrapped up the tournament with two titles: women’s singles and mixed doubles, where Lin Shidong and Kuai Man defeated Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem 3-1 in the final, as MNW reported.

The event was not without its surprises for China. The world No. 1 women’s doubles pair of Wang Manyu and Kuai Man fell 2-3 to Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem and Ng Wing Lam in the quarterfinals, as DotDotNews reported. All Chinese men’s singles players were eliminated by the round of 16, and both Chinese men’s and women’s doubles teams exited in the quarterfinals.

International Competition on the Rise

The tournament showcased growing international competition. France’s Felix Lebrun claimed the men’s singles title with a 4-1 victory over Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, becoming the first French player to win a WTT Grand Smash men’s singles title, as DotDotNews reported. The Lebrun brothers also won the men’s doubles, while Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Hina Hayata took the women’s doubles crown.

According to a Female in Sports preview, the tournament offered USD 1,550,000 in total prize money, with the singles champion receiving USD 100,000 and 2,000 world ranking points. The preview also noted this was the second consecutive year Malmö hosted the event.

A Career in Ascendancy

For Wang Manyu, the title adds to an already decorated career. The two-time Olympic champion and eight-time world champion has now won both the WTT Singapore Smash and WTT Europe Smash in 2026, according to her career profile. Her victory in Malmö marks her first Europe Smash singles title after finishing runner-up in 2025.

What’s Next

With the Europe Smash concluded, attention now turns to the remainder of the WTT Series 2026 calendar. Wang Manyu’s consistent form across major events this year positions her as a formidable contender for upcoming competitions, while the strong showing from international players like Felix Lebrun and the Harimoto siblings signals a deepening competitive landscape in world table tennis.

As Wang Manyu herself put it: “I need to quickly turn my attention to the training and competitions ahead while enjoying the win.” With her sights set firmly on the future, the 27-year-old from Qiqihar shows no signs of slowing down.