Spectators at Sichuan Gymnasium witnessed a nail-biting showdown on the evening of Day 1 at ITTF Mixed Team World Cup Chengdu 2024 presented by CHINA TELECOM, as Hong Kong, China held strong in a thrilling 8-7 showdown with France. 

The lower-seeded team by seven positions, Hong Kong, China enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges with Ng Wing Lam and Yiu Kwan To besting Camille Lutz and Esteban Dorr (11-6, 10-12, 11-7). But France made an impactful response as Audrey Zarif pulled off a stunning win over Doo Hoi Kem (6-11, 11-9, 11-9) to level the score at 3-3. 

Thibault Poret came close to securing another shock result for France, holding game point opportunities at 8-10, 9-10 and 10-11 for the chance to take a two-game lead over Wong Chun Ting. But the latter player would successfully reverse the tide, leaning on his vast experience to weather the storm (5-11, 13-11, 15-13). 

With Hong Kong, China holding the upper hand in the Womens Doubles, the fate of the match would hinge on the Mens Doubles. Clinching games one and two of that final contest, Poret and Dorr brought the overall match score to 7-7 meaning it would all come down to game 15. With the match on the line, Yiu and Wong found inspiration when it mattered most, closing up shop (8-11, 6-11, 11-4) to squeeze over the finish line 8-7. 

The feeling I get from Chengdu is very warm. Fans from all over the country have come here to cheer us on, and theyve been cheering us on since the moment we entered the venue, so Im very thankful. Wong Chun Ting 

Meeting in a huge clash on Sunday evening, Japan and Germany looked to make a big impression in their opening Group 2 showdown with important points up for grabs.  

Setting the tone early on through Kaho Akae and Keishi Hagihara, who successfully came through the opening doubles match, Japan kicked on from there as Sakura Mori beat Yuan Wan (5-11, 11-5, 13-11) before Yuta Tanaka extended the advantage further with a 3-0 win over Kay Stumper (12-10, 11-9, 11-9). Hagihara and Tanaka would secure the final game needed soon after, joining forces in Mens Doubles action to complete an 8-3 victory. 

It was my first time participating in such a big competition, and I was very nervous. I played my first mixed doubles match and I was very happy to be able to win and contribute to the team. Kaho Akae 

Poland is also off to a strong start in Group 2, prevailing 8-4 in its opening encounter against Egypt, while Sweden put eight games past Canada without response in Group 4. 

ITTF Mixed Team World Cup Chengdu 2024 resumes on Monday 2 December with the second round of Stage 1 matches getting underway from 10:00 (GMT+8).