BEIJING -- Xu Xin and Sun Yingsha began the new year with a mixed doubles title at the 2020 World Table Tennis Championships China Trials, beating Ma Long and Ding Ning 3-0 on Wednesday.

Xu's world championship-winning partner Liu Shiwen had sprained her foot in a pre-tournament training session, so Sun became Xu's new partner for the event.

After ousting Liang Jingkun and Chen Meng 4-2 in the elimination round, the new duo defeated Fan Zhendong and Gu Yuting 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9 in the second stage to meet Ma and Ding in the decisive final match.

Xu and Sun trailed 3-8 at the beginning, before coming back to take the first set 11-9, and carrying their momentum to clinch two 11-8 wins across the following sets.

The 2020 World Table Tennis Championships China Trials, also known as the Marvelous 12, feature men's and women's singles and mixed doubles events held from Thursday to Saturday.

Winners will qualify for the 2020 World Table Tennis Championships in Busan, South Korea.