Ni Xialian won two individual matches to help Luxembourg beat South Korea in the women's tournament at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Chengdu ©Getty Images

Luxembourg achieved the biggest shock of the first day of the women's tournament at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Chengdu as they claimed an impressive victory against South Korea.

Lee Zi-on got South Korea off to a flier with a comfortable 11-9, 11-4, 11-9 win against Sarah De Nutte, but 59-year-old Ni Xialian drew Luxembourg level by beating Jeon Ji-hee 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9 at the Chengdu High-tech Sports Centre.

Tessy Gonderinger had her country into the lead by beating Kim Hayeong 12-10, 11-9, 2-11, 11-9, and Ni rounded off a notable upset by overcoming Lee Zi-on 11-3, 10-12, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4.

Singapore won the other match in Group Four, easing past Iran 3-0.

European champions Romania were taken the distance by Sweden in Group Six of the women's tournament, but Elizabeta Samara earned a decisive 11-3, 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-8 win against Matilda Hansson to clinch a 3-2 victory.

Chinese Taipei are off to a winning start in the same group after beating Portugal 3-0.

Olympic silver medallists Japan proved too strong for Slovakia in their 3-0 success in Group Two, with Hungary joining them on two points after a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan.

Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Hong Kong cruised to a 3-0 win against Italy in Group Three, after Brazil had matched the feat without dropping a game against South Africa.

In Group One, the United States overcame Canada 3-0, while Adriana Díaz won two individual matches to help Puerto Rico beat Malaysia 3-2.

On the men's side, Poland recorded a surprise 3-2 victory against 2016 bronze medallists England in Group Five.

Liam Pitchford earned two wins for England, but it was Miłosz Redzimski with the telling contribution as he beat David Mcbeath 11-7, 11-9, 11-8.

Sweden beat Australia 3-0 in the same group.

Olympic silver medallists Germany overcame Kazakhstan 3-0, and are joined at the top of Group Two by France, who saw off Uzbekistan without dropping a game.

Japan, who finished third at their home Olympics last year, opened the World Championships with a 3-0 win against Iran in Group Three, with Hong Kong beating Hungary 3-1.

In Group One, Slovenia were 3-1 winners against Puerto Rico and the US 3-2 against Thailand.

South Korea and Egypt both began with 3-0 victories in Group Four against Canada and Saudi Arabia respectively, while there were a pair of 3-1 wins in Group Six for Brazil against Denmark and Portugal against Slovakia.

Both group stages continue tomorrow, with hosts and defending champions China facing Puerto Rico in the men's competition and Canada in the women's.