Top seed Xu Xin breezed past Germany's Patrick Baum 4-1 in his Group 1 opener at the men's table tennis World Cup here on Friday. Xu, last year's semifinalist, won 10-12, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5.

The 23-year-old penholder is ranked second in the world, and lost to world No. 1 and the final champion Ma Long in last year's World Cup. But with Ma absent and double Olympic champion and world titlist Zhang Jike pulling out due to injury, it is the best chance for him to win a major singles title.

"I know this is the best chance," he said. "But I am also very clear that I can't make any mistakes. I need to be very prepared."

Should he win, he will become the first left hander to win a men's singles champion from the all-conquering Chinese team in the World Championships, Olympics or World Cup.

"I am confident that I can win," Xu said.

Xu's teammate Yan An, competing in the World Cup for the first time, was edged by Olympic bronze medalist Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany in Group 3 by 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 11-5, 2-11, 11-9.

The 20-year-old Yan, ranked eighth in the world, said that he was too nervous and failed to win some crucial points.

In Group 2, another German player Timo Poll crushed Jiang Tianyi of Hong Kong, China 11-5, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6.

Belarus' Vladimir Samsonov was stunned by Chuang Chih-Yuan of Chinese Taipei 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 2-11, 11-9, 12-10.

The top two players of each group qualify for the final eight and the champion will be decided on Sunday. Endi

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