Asian Championships: Hayata wins women’s title at Lusail Hall
The Peninsula
Doha: Hina Hayata ended her Doha sojourn in style as the Japanese claimed the women’s singles title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships at Lusail Sports Hall yesterday.
Hayata nine days earlier had won the WTT Star Contender tournament, with the 21-year-old staying undefeated throughout her stay in Doha. Yesterday, the sixth seed secured the Asian title after defeating surprise finalist Shin Yubin of South Korea 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4.
At the semi-final stage, Hayata had required to save one match point in the fifth game of her contest against compatriot Saki Shibata before prevailing 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10. Hayata became just fourth player from Japan, since 1972 when the tournament came under the authority of the Asian Table Tennis Union, to lift the women’s singles title.
