The Canadian was hoping to put her defeat in the 2017 final behind her when she faced the United States' Wu Yue at the Centro de Entrenamiento Olímpico.

Zhang made an uncertain start, as Yue was able to win the opening game 11-8 to raise the possibility of an upset.

A strong response saw Zhang turn the match in her favour, as she won the next two games, 11-8, 11-4.

The title moved ever closer when she took the fourth 11-5, but Yue put up a strong resistance in the next game.

Zhang was eventually able to clinch the game 13-11 to secure top spot on the podium.

Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi produced an accomplished display to earn victory in the bronze medal match.

She won 17-15, 11-6, 11-2, 9-11, 11-9 against Mexico’s Yadira Silva.

Top seed Hugo Calderano battled to victory against his fellow Brazilian Gustavo Tsuboi in the men’s singles final.

United States’ Kanak Jha came out on top in the bronze medal match, as he beat home favourite Marcelo Aguirre.

The American won the first three games, only for Aguirre to claim the next two to threaten a comeback.

Jha held his nerve to win the following game to claim an 11-6, 15-13, 12-10, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6 victory.

Two places were reserved for players at the men’s and women’s ITTF World Cup competitions in October.