It is also the first women's table tennis singles medal that Japan has won at an Asiad in 13 years, since Ai Fukuhara's bronze at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

On Sept 26 in Hangzhou, Hayata's team lost 0-3 to China in the women's team final. Two days later, she and Tomokazu Harimoto lost 3-1 to China's Wang Yidi and Lin Gaoyuan in the mixed doubles quarterfinals.

The turning point came on Sunday. During the semifinals held earlier in the day, Hayata dug deep to defeat China's world No 4 Wang Yidi in a 4-3 come-from-behind win.

The two had engaged in another fierce battle at the World Table Tennis Championships in May, when Hayata beat Wang in the quarterfinals on her way to bronze. It was the first time in 58 years that a Japanese player had beaten a Chinese player to claim a medal at the event.

Hayata said of her winning point: "I gradually became able to play longer rallies against the Chinese. My performances got better and the rallies became longer."

While Sunday marked Hayata's 11th consecutive loss to Sun in international competition, she could take solace in her improved performance.

"We both played well," Sun said."Overall, there was little to separate us. Hina is a very good player, and we have played each other many times before. Each time, she finds a breakthrough and improves. I hope that we will continue to spur each other on to get better."