Sweden's Jan-Ove Waldner was the only player to keep a clean sheet on the opening day of the 16-man World Cup table tennis tournament at Zhongshan on October 28.

The 34-year-old Walnder, who has won a "Grand Slam" of the Olympic, world championships and World Cup singles titles, edged out Asian champion Wang Liqin 21-14, 18-21, 21-17 after routing Austrian Qian Qianli 21-18, 21-11 this afternoon.

Wang, ranked 7th in the world, was virtually shut out of the last eight after losing to Japanese Koji Matsushita in three sets and then to table tennis giant Waldner.

Reigning world champion Liu Guoliang, who lost to Belgian Jean-Michel Saive this afternoon, nipped South Korean Kim Taek Soo 19-21, 21-13, 21-15. Kim had beaten Liu both in the World Cup and Asian Games last year.

World No. 1-ranked Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus kept his hope alive as he downed China's former world singles champion Kong Linghui 21-15, 20-22, 21-17 in the evening.

Early in the day, Kong blanked Argentina's Liu Song 21-13, 21-17 while Samsonov lost to world bronze medalist Werner Schlager of Austria 17-21, 21-12, 21-18.

Sixteen top-ranked players and continental champions were split to four groups at the annual World Cup. The top two group leaders qualify for the knock-out stage on Saturday.

(Xinhua)