HONG KONG - China's Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu clinched victories in the singles round of 16 as the World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals kicked off here on Wednesday.

World No 1 Wang Chuqin was pushed hard by Japan's 18-year-old Sora Matsushima in the men's singles. In the best-of-seven match, Matsushima led 3-1 after four games, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 14-12. The Chinese star then bounced back to take the next three games 12-10, 11-4, 11-9 and seal a 4-3 victory.

"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," said the 25-year-old Wang Chuqin.

In the women's singles, Wang Manyu defeated Japan's Miwa Harimoto 11-6, 11-8, 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, while China's Chen Yi edged Zhu Yuling of Macao, China in a seven-game thriller 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8.

"We came to Hong Kong after taking the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup title last weekend. There was only a short period of time for us to adapt to the venue here," said Wang Manyu. "She (Harimoto) played tough today, and I kept patient throughout the match to clinch the victory."

In a Chinese derby, Chen Xingtong saw off Shi Xunyao 7-11, 11-3, 8-11, 12-10, 14-12, 11-8 to secure a berth in the women's singles last eight.

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In the mixed doubles, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha beat Indian pair Manush Shah and Diya Chitale 11-7, 11-6, 11-8, while China's Lin Shidong and Kuai Man cruised past Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem of Hong Kong, China 11-9, 11-4, 11-4.