Wang Chuqin hits a return during the men's singles final match between Wang Chuqin of China and Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Wang Chuqin swept Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto in the men's singles final, while university teacher and former World Cup winner Zhu Yuling returned to the top by defeating Chen Yi in a clash of female giant-killers at the WTT US Smash in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Wang, who became China's first left-handed men's singles world champion earlier this year, gave little chance to the third-seeded Harimoto, who has a reputation for struggling against left-handed opponents.

Displaying confidence and control, the second-seeded Wang dominated with wide-angled shots and steady rallies, securing an 11-3, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8 victory.

"I kept level-headed either in lead or trailing," said Wang. "I felt so relieved when the tournament was over. I need a short break and come back again."

Zhu, once a key player on the Chinese national team and now representing Macao, China, used her experience, strong backhands and unpredictable rhythm changes to overcome a two-set deficit and defeat Chen 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 in 56 minutes.

Zhu had previously stepped away from the sport to recover from cancer, pursue academic studies, become a professor at Tianjin University, and manage her family business. She returned to competitive play last year and upset world No. 2 Wang Manyu on her way to the final. Chen, 20, had earlier eliminated several top seeds, including reigning world champion Sun Yingsha.

"This isn't a typical clash of speed and power," said Zhu. "We battled against each other in terms of patience, tenacity, spin, offense and defense." ■

Wang Chuqin hits a return during the men's singles final match between Wang Chuqin of China and Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin (R) of China, winner for men's singles and Zhu Yuling of China's Macao, winner for women's singles, pose with their trophies during the awarding ceremony after their final match at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin (L) and Harimoto Tomokazu pose with their trophies during the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final match between Wang Chuqin of China and Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Zhu Yuling hits a return during the women's singles final match between Zhu Yuling of China's Macao and Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Harimoto Tomokazu (front R) hits a return during the men's singles final match between Wang Chuqin of China and Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin (L) and his coach Wang Hao celebrate winning the men's singles final match between Wang Chuqin of China and Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin hits a return during the men's singles final match between Wang Chuqin of China and Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin (R) of China, winner for men's singles and Zhu Yuling of China's Macao, winner for women's singles, pose with their trophies during the awarding ceremony after their final match at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin poses with trophy during the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final match between Wang Chuqin of China and Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Chen Yi (R) hits a return during the women's singles final match between Zhu Yuling of China's Macao and Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Chen Yi of China celebrates scoring during the women's singles final match between Zhu Yuling of China's Macao and Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Zhu Yuling poses with trophy during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles final match between Zhu Yuling of China's Macao and Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Zhu Yuling hits a return during the women's singles final match between Zhu Yuling of China's Macao and Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 13, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)