Xu Xin/Liu Shiwen (bottom) of China compete during the mixed doubles round of 16 match against Adam Szudi/Szandra Pergel of Hungary at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg, Germany, on Jan 30, 2020. (ZHANG PING / XINHUA)

MAGDEBURG — The first ITTF World Tour event of 2020 kicked off here on Thursday, and the Chinese paddlers showed powerful display on the first match day at Platinum German Open.

In the men's doubles round of 16 completion, the legendary Ma Long with Lin Gaoyuan saw off the challenge of Ho Kwan Kit/Lam Siu Hang from China’ Hong Kong, 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-5)

In the men's doubles round of 16 completion, the legendary Ma Long with Lin Gaoyuan saw off the challenge of Ho Kwan Kit/Lam Siu Hang from China’ Hong Kong, 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-5).

The new Chinese pair of Fan Zhendong with Zhou Yu grabbed an easy win over Hungary's Adam Szudi/Nandor Ecseki 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-4) in just 13 minutes.

The major upset for the home crowd went down as Timo Boll with Ricardo Walther lost out to Lee Sangsu/Jeoung Youngsik from South Korea 3-1 (11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 12-10) for the top seeds.

China's Chen Meng with Wang Manyu showcased some superb shots in the women's doubles as they beat Thailand's Nanthana Komwong/Orawan Paranang 3-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-8).

The Chinese pair of Ding Ning and Sun Yingsha knocked out Daniela Monteiro Dodean/Elizabeta Samara from Romania 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 17-15)

Adam Szudi/Szandra Pergel (L) of Hungary compete during the mixed doubles round of 16 match against Xu Xin/Liu Shiwen of China at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg, Germany, on Jan 30, 2020. (ZHANGPING / XINHUA)

The World No 1 mixed pair from China, Xu Xin/Liu Shiwen gave an impressive show to their fans as they won 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-5) agaisnt Hungary's Adam Szudi/Szandra Pergel.

Women’s singles

China's top seed Chen Meng had a tough fight against South Korean Suh Hyowon and snatched the win in 7 games at ITTF German Open.

In the women's singles competition, Chen was locked in an intense affair against Suh Hyowon. With the scores sitting at 3-3, Chen recovered from a three-point deficit in the deciding game to establish a 5-3 lead.

Gu Yuting of China serves during the women's singles round of 32 match against Ding Ning of China at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg, Germany, on Jan 30, 2020. (ZHANG PING / XINHUA)

Suh was looking somewhat comfortable and called for a medical time out. Returning to the table, Suh Hyowon lacked the momentum she had established before as Chen survived a nervy contest over seven games (12-14, 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, 11-7, 15-13, 11-4).

China's Liu Shiwen was in supreme form as she beat Shan Xiaona representing Germany in straight games 11-8, 12-10, 11-5, 11-5. Taking under 27 minutes, the 2019 World Champion and World Cup winner was exuberant in her shot-making.

Fifth seed Zhu Yuling edged Russia's Polina Mikhailova 4-3 (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10) to set up a meeting with Petrissa Solja from Germany in the next round. 

The No 11 women's singles seed Miu Hirano from Japan suffered early exit, losing to Chinese qualifier Qian Tianyi who prevailed over Hirano by a mighty 4-0 (11-2, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9).

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei's Chen Szu Yu was unable to handle the strength of the shots from China's He Zhuojia, who won 4-1 (11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6). Chen Xingtong lost to Japan's Honoka Hashimoto by a 4-2 margin (11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 4-11, 11-7).

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Xu Xin of China returns the ball during the men's singles round of 32 match against An Jaehyun of South Korea at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg, Germany, on Jan. 30, 2020. (ZHANG PING / XINHUA)

Men’s singles

Chinese top seed Xu Xin negotiated a tight battle with An Jaehyun from South Korea, taking the full seven-game distance to see off the qualifier at ITTF Platinum German Open.

Xu took the first set 11-4, but the following games fell to tight ones with 9-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-3. 

Xu told Xinhua that he should have known more about the opponent who challenged him and brought lots of troubles at the table.

"He played out of my expectation and pushed me a lot," said Xu, "this is the first tournament this season. Obviously I'm not on my best, but I'll try to win the following matches. I wish I could take easy win but it's always more valuable to win the tough game."

Xu's fellow countryman Lin Gaoyuan has also made a winning start in Magdeburg with his straight games success against Wang Yang representing Slovakia (13-11, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10).

Chuang Chih-Yuan of Chinese Taipei returns the ball during the men's singles round of 32 match against Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg, Germany, on Jan 30, 2020. (ZHANG PING / XINHUA）

Qiu Dang, representing Germany, was outplayed by the World and Olympic champion Ma Long, the No. 3 seed from China 4-0 (15-13, 11-8, 13-11, 11-7). Jang Woojin from South Korea suffered a defeat at the hands of China's Xu Chenhao 4-0 (11-9, 11-7, 12-10, 11-5).

The seventh seed and key contender in the men's singles title race Liang Jingkun was knocked down by Cho Seungmin from South Korea. The Chinese star held the lead by the close of game five, but couldn't capitalize as the Cho extended his stay in the competition (11-7, 3-11, 11-9, 6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9).

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