Olympic table tennis gold medallists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha got China’s ITTF Mixed Team World Cup campaign off to a flying start in Chengdu on Sunday, as the defending champions hammered Hong Kong 8-1.
China’s dream team had some nervy moments when putting their side 3-0 up with a 12-10, 11-8, 12-10 victory over Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem, but ultimately were too good for opponents they have played countless times before.
Wang, the men’s world No 1, said the shortened nature of each match, which is only three games long, meant “every point is more important”.
“We had trailed in the match but gradually adjusted ourselves to bounce back,” Wang said.
“We met Wong and Doo many times in the last Olympic cycle, and we are familiar with each other. They played really tough, and we felt much better after narrowly winning the first game,” Sun added.
Wong Chun Ting (right) and Doo Hoi Kem in action in Chengdu. Photo: Xinhua
Wang and Sun have been handed a wild-card entry for the mixed doubles of the WTT Finals, which will take place in Hong Kong next week.