Table Tennis: China sweep Belarus in team worlds opener

DORTMUND, Germany: China opened their bid to claim the women's title at the world team table tennis championships with a 3-0 win over Belarus on Sunday.

Women's singles world champion Ding Ning posted a three straight games win over Belarus' Veronika Pavlovich in a ruthless display in the Group A match.

Following Ding Ning's win, Li Xiaoxia overcame Viktoria Pavlovich and Guo Yue completed the Chinese cleansweep by accounting for Alena Dubkova.

China are looking to avenge their defeat to defending champions Singapore from the previous world team championships two years ago in Moscow, which Ding Ning says forced her to grow up.

"As a result of that loss, I grew up; I really do not think I would have won the women's singles title at the World Championships last year had it not been for that defeat," said the 21-year-old.

"Losing in Moscow made me stronger. Now two years later I'm really pleased that I'm in the team again."

World champions Singapore open the defence of the 2010 title against Turkey in Group B on Sunday evening. (AFP)