Wang Chuqin (L) and Sun Yingsha of China compete in the mixed doubles matcha against Yiu Kwan To and Ng Wing Lam of Hong Kong SAR in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 5, 2024. /CFP
China defeated China's Hong Kong 8-0 in their second match on Thursday at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, securing their sixth straight win at the tournament.
China beat South Korea 8-4 earlier on the day and changed their format against Hong Kong SAR. Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha paired to play the mixed doubles match against Yiu Kwan To and Ng Wing Lam. In their first contest as partners since the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Wang and Sun walked over the opponents 11-4, 11-6, 11-4.
"I was a little concerned before the match," Wang told reporters after the victory. "During practice, I told myself to recall the details I paid attention to when we played together in the mixed doubles match. Our performance tonight was better than I had expected."
"It had been a long time since we paired at the Paris Olympics," Sun noted. "We played well this time."
Wang Manyu was picked to appear second for China in the women's singles match against Doo Hoi Kem. The pair previously met in the round of 16 at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Cup Finals in Singapore in 2021 and Wang swept past Doo. This time, the world No. 2 again ended the battle quickly 11-8, 11-4, 11-2.
Lin Shidong appeared in the men's singles match on behalf of China and is the only one of the team who has played in all six competitions. He beat Chan Baldwin 11-3, 11-4 to seal the deal for the hosts.
China will face Japan on Friday.