Wang Chuqin, Wang Manyu start strong at WTT Finals in Hong Kong SAR

Chinese paddlers Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu clinched victories in the men's and women's singles round of 16, as the WTT (World Table Tennis) Finals opened serve in Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) on Wednesday.

World No. 1 Wang Chuqin was pushed hard by Japan's 18-year-old Sora Matsushima in men's singles action. The best-of-seven match saw Matsushima lead 3-1 after four games, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 14-12.

China's defending champion then bounced back to take the next three games 12-10, 11-4, 11-9 to seal a 4-3 victory, keeping alive his dream of winning a fourth consecutive title at this event. The 25-year-old Wang will face Alexis Lebrun of France in the last eight.

"I was not in good form today and tried to adjust myself during the match. I need to be more active. After winning the fifth game, I was more motivated to pursue the victory," Wang said.

In women's singles competition, defending champion Wang Manyu overcame Japan's Miwa Harimoto in six games, 11-6, 11-8, 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7. The World No. 2 will take on the Republic of Korea's Joo Cheonhui in the quarterfinals.

"We faced each other for the second time in a very short period, which is not a good thing for the winner of our last match, because the player who lost would try to fight back this time, and her mindset would be better," Wang said of her meeting with Harimoto. "I think I started well here, but in the third game, I fell short after taking an 8-0 lead. But I also think my opponent performed far better this time than in her previous outings."

In the mixed doubles event, Lin Shidong and Kuai Man opened Group 1 by thrashing the Hong Kong SAR's Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem 11-9, 11-4, 11-4.