Liu Shiwen of China celebrates after the women's singles final match against compatriot Zhu Yuling at the 2019 ITTF Women's World Cup in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Xue Yubin)
CHENGDU, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Reigning world champion Liu Shiwen overcame a slow start and a late scare to win the all-Chinese final 4-2 over Zhu Yuling and lift the ITTF Women's World Cup trophy for a record fifth time here on Sunday.
The 28-year-old former world No. 1, who was crowned at the World Championships for the first time in her over 20 years career in Budapest last April, rallied past the top seed and 2017 Cup winner Zhu 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9.
"It's a very important victory for me," Liu told a post-match press conference. "The four previous titles were all taken at my younger ages when I was fierce and had no fear at all."
Liu had previously won the Cup in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2015 before Sunday's triumph helped her exceed table tennis Grand Slam champions Wang Nan and Zhang Yining to be the most profiled Cup winner.
"But this time, it came with a year ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, when the atmosphere in our Chinese national team becomes quite in tension as time goes by.
"I had been so long for the Cup trophy since I needed a weighted title to prove myself, especially after taking the World Championship but losing some of the Tour matches," the 2016 Rio Olympic team gold medalist called her memory back to the past months.
"That's why I had put a lot of pressure on myself here and thus valued the title so much," she said.
Liu breezed past wildcard entry from the United States Lily Zhang in straight four sets, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5, 11-5 to make the final, while the 24-year-old Zhu denied a half-way comeback from Singapore veteran Feng Tianwei to win the semis 11-1, 11-13, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5.
"I'm actually happy with the results," said Zhu, ranked world No. 3 in the latest ITTF standings. "Comparing with my recent outings in the World Tour, I'm satisfied with my performance here and rated it a new start to my preparations for next year's Olympic Games."
Earlier on Sunday evening, Feng beat Lily Zhang 11-6, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 15-13 to finish third at the 250,000 U.S. dollars annual event.
