China survives women's team opener in Busan table tennis worlds-Xinhua

Fan Zhendong of China competes against Cedric Nuytinck of Belgium during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

BUSAN, South Korea, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Several medal contenders kicked off their campaign on a triumphant note, while China had to endure full sets before edging India in its women's team opening match as the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals opened here on Friday.

Kickstarted by world No. 155 Ayhika Mukherjee's stunning victory over top-ranked Sun Yingsha, India pushed China to the very limit before eventually falling to the reigning champions.

Characterized by anti-spin rubber on her backhand, Mukherjee used her defensive play to upset Sun 12-10, 2-11, 13-11, 11-6.

"This is the best victory in my lifetime," said an exhilarated Mukherjee.

Wang Manyu helped China restore parity with an 11-3, 11-8, 13-15, 11-7 victory over India's highest-ranked Manika Batra.

India went ahead again through another surprising victory, as 49th-ranked Sreeja Akula swept Wang Yidi, who is 47 places higher than her in the world rankings, 11-7, 11-9, 13-11.

With the Chinese side on the line, Sun got her form back on track when she took on 36th-placed Batra, emerging victorious 11-3, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9.

In the decisive match, Wang Manyu scored her second point of the day, triumphing 11-9, 13-11, 11-6 over Mukherjee.

Hosts South Korea enjoyed a more comfortable victory, not dropping a set in prevailing over Italy.

Following Jeon Ji-hee's straight-game win against Debora Vivarelli, Shin Yu-bin and Lee Zi-on added to the joy of the crowd at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center with their respective victories.

Led by world No. 5 Hina Hayata, Japan showed its class entering the Busan event with a 3-0 victory over Luxembourg, which was spearheaded by 60-year-old Ni Xialian.

Competing with Miwa Harimoto, who is 45 years younger than her, Ni lost 12-10, 11-3, 11-8.

"I knew she is an excellent player and it would be a tough game, but I still wanted to give it a shot. Unfortunately I didn't grind out a win in the first game," rued Ni.

Hong Kong, China defeated Austria 3-1, while Chinese Taipei outplayed Thailand 3-1.

On the men's side, China encountered little resistance in initiating its title defense, getting the better of Belgium in straight sets.

World No. 1 Fan Zhendong set the pace for China's win, overwhelming Cedric Nuytinck 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.

Second-ranked Wang Chuqin extended the defending champions' lead to two sets after overmatching Adrien Rassenfosse in straight games.

Following an 11-8 victory in the first game, Wang was dragged in a more fierce second game featuring technical miscues which led to a pause of the game for a few minutes. Building an early lead, Wang saw his advantage relinquished after conceding several points in a row and found himself down 9-10, while regrouping himself to triumph 13-11. Then Wang marched on to seal the deal, coming on top 11-4 in the third game.

"That [incident in the second game] was just a part of the match, so I tried my best not to be impacted by it and keep my focus on the game," Wang explained.

Chinese veteran Ma Long closed out the match after outperforming Martin Allegro 11-4, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7.

Competing in his ninth table tennis team worlds, 35-year-old Ma hoped to achieve the best result through the utmost efforts. "I just wanted to win at last with my team," he commented.

Japan had a 3-0 walkover against Nigeria, who withdrew from the match after its linchpin Quadri Aruna announced on social media platform that he would not participate in the tournament due to food poisoning.

"Unfortunately I will not be participating in the World Championships in Busan, I'm seriously ill with food poisoning. I wish the team good luck," wrote the 12th-ranked Nigerian.

Felix and Alexis Lebrun combined to lead France to a 3-1 victory over Denmark, while last two editions' runners-up Germany didn't drop a game en route to thumping the United States.

Also on Friday, Jang Woo-jin scored two points as South Korea dispatched Poland 3-1, and Truls Moregard-led Sweden saw off Slovakia 3-0.

China will meet Uzbekistan in the women's group phase, and Cuba in the men's event on Saturday. ■

Harimoto Miwa of Japan serves the ball to Ni Xia Lian of Luxembourg during the women's team Group 2 match between Japan and Luxembourg at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Cedric Nuytinck of Belgium competes against Fan Zhendong of China during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

Ni Xia Lian of Luxembourg returns the ball to Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's team Group 2 match between Japan and Luxembourg at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Hirano Miu of Japan returns the ball to Tessy Gonderinger of Luxembourg during the women's team Group 2 match between Japan and Luxembourg at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Hayata Hina of Japan returns the ball to Sarah De Nutte of Luxembourg during the women's team Group 2 match between Japan and Luxembourg at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Ma Long of China competes against Martin Allegro of Belgium during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Ma Long of China celebrates after defeating Martin Allegro of Belgium during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Martin Allegro of Belgium competes against Ma Long of China during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Wang Chuqin of China competes against Adrien Rassenfosse of Belgium during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Ma Long of China reacts while competing against Martin Allegro of Belgium during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Martin Allegro (L) of Belgium competes against Ma Long of China during the men's teams group stage match at the 2024 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, Feb. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)