Wang Hao and Zhang Yining, both of China, singles top seeds in the world table tennis championships, easily swept their first round rivals in Yokohama, Japan on Thursday.

Wang Hao opened with a men's singles victory over Turkey's Cem Zeng.

Wang, twice Olympic runner-up, opened with a men's singles victory over Turkey's Cem Zeng, which seemed to be choreographed as the scorers were 11-5, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5.

The top-ranked Chinese tends to struggle at clutch moments, having lost the Olympic final to South Korean Ryu Seung Min in 2004 and the 2008 final to his compatriot Ma Lin despite being a hot favorite.

Reigning Olympic champion Zhang Yining didn't break a sweat as she disposed of Croatian Andrea Bakula 11-2, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 in the women's singles first round.

Reigning Olympic champion Zhang Yining didn't break a sweat as she disposed of Croatian Andrea Bakula 11-2, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 in the women's singles first round.

"She has hit top form," said Zhang's coach Li Sun.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2009)