Ri Myong Sun was the star, with a four set victory over Lee Ho Ching before she swept past Jiang Huajun in three straight games, and teamed up with Kim Hye Song to win the doubles. 

The one victory for Hong Kong came for Doo Hoi Kem, when she overcame Kim Hye Song in five games, while the loss did follow an earlier victory over Egypt. 

Elsewhere, there was also a tough opening test for Japan, as they overcame Romania in a topsy-turvy 3-2 encounter, to follow an earlier victory over Canada, while second seeded Singapore were also pushed to five games against Germany, before eventually prevailing to lead Group C.

But there were no problems for China, as they swept to opening victories over Australia and Brazil to lead Group A.

A light show opens the evening session during day one of the ITTF World Team Cup
©Getty Images



Things were more straightforward on the men's side of the draw, with China, Germany and Japan each sweeping through the opening day with two 3-0 victories apiece.

China overcame Austria and Egypt in Group A, Germany beat Brazil and Austria in Group B while Japan defeated Taiwan and hosts United Arab Emirates in Group C, with Portugal and South Korea each having won one match apiece so far in Group D.

Canada's Pierre-Luc Theriault came closest to producing an upset, leading 2-0 against South Korea's Kim Minseok before slipping to a 3-2 defeat.

Group stage action continues tomorrow morning with the final set of matches, before the top two in each group advance to the quarter-finals. 

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