World No. 1 Liu Shiwen tests quality on Olympic debut

Two weeks after her arrival in Rio de Janeiro alongside with other Chinese table tennis players, world No. 1 Liu Shiwen finally made her Olympic debut here on Friday.

The 25-year-old, three-time world cup winner and runner-up in both 2013 and 2015 world championships, opened the first round women's team rivalry for China, beating Brazilian Chinese Lin Gui 11-8, 11-5, 11-3 to give the defending champions a 1-0 lead.

Following twice Olympic finalist Li Xiaoxia's straight-set triumph over Bruna Takahashi, She was later back to the court again, pairing up with newly crowned singles gold medalist Ding Ning and easing past Lin Gui and Caroline Kumahara 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 to wrap up it 3-0.

Winning two points in style for the Chinese team, Liu, however, was said too nervous and under her normal level.

"Her first game went quite intense," commented Kong Linghui, head coach of the Chinese women's national team and a Grand Slam winner himself in his athlete career. "She failed to carry out the tactics smoothly at the very beginning against a player ranked just at the 139th."

"I warned her a little bit and told her to get more active, and after that, she got better and better," he added. "It's normal for an Olympic debutant since it's so different with much extra pressure."

Liu admitted that she's still looking for the right rhythm of herself. "I made a few mistakes before adapting to the atmosphere."

Four years ago, Liu was just 21-year-old and she watched every match involving a Chinese paddler in London, just as she did this tiem.

"It feels so different. I can feel my nerve when I watching Ding or Li playing here in their singles campaign. Maybe that's because I'm playing this time," she said.

"I've been working hard for so many years and it's finally my turn to show my game," added Liu.

Her doubles partner Ding Ning talked a lot on the eve of her debut.

"I have little to share with her in terms of techniques or tactics. But I told her how I felt when playing my first game in Rio," said the twice Olympian. "She's world No. 1 and she plays very good table tennis. I believe in her as we all do."

China will next play the eighth seeds DPR Korea in the women's team quarterfinals after the latter ousted Australia 3-0, and Liu, a specialist of playing against defensive players, has set to play two sets again as she did on Friday. Endit