Wang Chuqin of China hits a return in the match against Samuel Walker of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Both China's men's and women's teams secured opening victories as Group Stage A action at the World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals got underway on Friday.

China's women's team defeated Romania, while the men's team overcame host England to make a strong start.

The women's team scored a 3-0 triumph thanks to straight-game wins from Sun Yingsha, Kuai Man and Wang Yidi.

Sun, who played first, trailed 5-9 in the opening game before winning five consecutive points to earn a game point at 10-9. She eventually took the first game 12-10.

After the match, Sun said she felt slightly nervous at the beginning.

"Every World Championships feels different, and today I was the first to play, so I was a little nervous at the start. As the tournament progresses, I believe everyone's form will continue to improve," she said.

Sun added that although China's women's team is currently the strongest overall in the world, they must remain fully prepared for tougher matches ahead.

"That is the most important thing," she said.

China's men's team faced strong resistance from host England. After Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqin won their matches 3-0 and 3-1 respectively, Liang Jingkun battled England's Connor Green over five games and edged a 3-2 victory to seal the tie. ■

Lin Shidong of China hits a return in the match against Tom Jarvis of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Lin Shidong of China reacts in the match against Tom Jarvis of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Lin Shidong of China hits a return in the match against Tom Jarvis of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Lin Shidong of China hits a return in the match against Tom Jarvis of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Lin Shidong of China reacts in the match against Tom Jarvis of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Liang Jingkun of China hits a return in the match against Connor Green of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin of China hits a return in the match against Samuel Walker of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Lin Shidong of China serves in the match against Tom Jarvis of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Lin Shidong of China hits a return in the match against Tom Jarvis of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Samuel Walker of England hits a return in the match against Wang Chuqin of China during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Wang Chuqin of China hits a return in the match against Samuel Walker of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Samuel Walker of England serves in the match against Wang Chuqin of China during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Liang Jingkun (1st R) of China shakes hands with Connor Green (2nd R) of England after the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin of China gets ready to serve in the match against Samuel Walker of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Liang Jingkun of China hits a return in the match against Connor Green of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

Liang Jingkun of China serves in the match against Connor Green of England during the men's group match between China and England at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)