体坛英语新闻：China makes impressive start at 2018 ITTF Team World Cup

LONDON, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese table tennis players started their tournament at the 2018 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Team World Cup in London with victories on Thursday.

The men's team began its group stage campaign against France, while Sweden provided the opposition in the second group fixture.

In the first round of the men's team event, China beat France 3-0. Ma Long and Xu Xin gave China the perfect start by beating Alexandre Cassin and Emmanuel Lebesson (11-4, 11-4, 11-5). Fan Zhendong followed suit, as he overcame Quentin Robinot (11-9, 14-12, 11-3). Ma Long beat Emmanuel Lebesson to seal the victory.

The second round saw China face Sweden. Chinese players once again dominated the matches, beating Sweden with a 3-0 victory.

Chinese players also presented impressive performances in the women's team event, beating the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Brazil on the first day of the tournament.

The 2018 ITTF World Team Cup is held in London's Copper Box arena. It started on Thursday and ends on Sunday. All matches in London will be played under the new Olympic Test Playing System which sees each tie start with doubles action prior to a maximum of four singles fixtures. No player may play in more than two fixtures per team match, according to ITTF rules.