Mima Ito vs Wang Manyu | World Cup Macao 2026

Mima Ito is back once again as she will now try to prove that she still matters in Japan's lineup and global stage. She quickly rose from the rankings years ago, but failed to get a title in these recent years. She will now face world's number two, a tough opponent and the current champion of China, Wang Manyu. Do you think Mima Ito's short pips will eliminate world's number two? That slap to take a 6-0 lead. What an early game here by Mima Ito as she keeps slapping world number two. Mima Ito's gameplay is more on flat drives as she sets the ball from his pips. She punches or set it for her forehand drive. Wang Manyu on the other hand is a complete player as she can loop and can play like a man. And yep, look at the scores. Wang Manyu is just blazing close to the huge gap. Six point huge lead now diminished to zero. World number two just eliminated the big gap and Mima Ito is now panicking. Just look at how Wang Manyu flicks the ball even with her backhand. Anyway, it's nice to see the blade of Fan Zhendong being used by other pro players. It is Wang Manyu's blade right now. Wang Manyu has fully warmed up with that comeback on the early game. She leads one to zero on the scoreboard and now she is the one leading compared to the early game of the first game. Once Wang Manyu heats up, I don't think a player could stand against her. No offense out there, I am a fan of Mima Ito, but Wang Manyu is just a monster when she goes full blast. Even Sun Yingsha is in danger against Wang Manyu. Double net and that favors Mima Ito. The Japanese star is now struggling here in game two and Wang Manyu is the one having the game lead. Can Mima Ito do what Wang Manyu did in game one? A comeback maybe? Admire those backhand flicks of Wang Manyu. Truly a world-class move. Mima Ito is struggling and as a Mima Ito fan, this is just too much to watch. Mima Ito's strength back then was her punches and attacks, but I believe the world has fully adapted and learned the secrets of short pips. Well in the first game, she got a lot of success playing half long serves to forehand, then punching table for herself a bit earlier. Too easy for Mima Ito. Rated shot, isn't it? The long push. So many points. You get onto the attacking flick all the time. That's the biggest issue. Mima Ito's strength and even the previous Japanese national team members love those hook serves. It is tricky, but Wang Manyu just flicked it like it has no bearing. If you are to coach Mima Ito, what would you advise her? Fabulous consecutive attacks there by Mima Ito. That was swift, fast and powerful. Yet despite all of that, the prowess of Wang Manyu just stopped her. We are now in the 4th game, with Wang Manyu taking games 1 to 3 and this might just be it for Mima Ito. Accuracy, speed, it's all there. Wang Manyu is just a monster right now and she is a top candidate in this year's World Cup. If I am to coach Mima Ito, I would advise her to change her backhand rubber. Might just go to medium pips or use the inverted rubber so she can flick and add spins on her backhand. Congratulations to Wang Manyu for this excellent job. She clearly dominated Mima Ito and her attacks are unstoppable. Nice try Mima Ito and sad to see her not winning in a long time against top players. What do you think of this matchup?