Ding Junhui starts the competition with an impressive performance on the first day of the 2019 Snooker World Cup in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on June 24. [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Chinese teams got off to a strong start on the first day of the 2019 Snooker World Cup in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on June 24. Both China's A and B teams secured comfortable wins against their opponents.

China's A team members Ding Junhui and Yan Bingtao opened their campaign with a 4-1 defeat of Germany's Simon Lichtenberg and Lukas Kleckers.

Both Ding and Yan are former World Cup winners and hold a strong pedigree in the event. Ding marked his first show of this season with breaks of 73, 104 and 83 and led the team to the top spot in group A.

Ding was pleased with his performance so far and said their current goal was to reach the final eight. "We will face real challenges after promotion."

Locals occupied all the seats in the stadium to cheer for the Chinese team. [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wuxi native Ding Junhui was a major pull for spectators. Though at times a hubbub of voices filled the stadium, Ding didn't take it seriously.

"I'm pleased with the atmosphere, since everyone is coming to support the Chinese team and cheer us on."

Earlier in the day, Ding's two-time World Cup champion partner Liang Wenbo got his campaign off to a solid start by defeating Australia 5-0 as part of China's B team.

This time Liang paired up with Zhou Yuelong, who phenomenally burst onto the global stage as a 17-year-old at the 2015 World Cup. Zhou made the first 147 of his career at the Indian Open last season.

Wales came second to China's B team by only one match in group D. Mark Williams and Ryan Day secured a 4-1 win for their country over India.

Scotland, Belgium and Israel tied for first place in group C and Northern Ireland's team came first in group B after beating Saudi Arabia 4-1.

Yan Bingtao is paired up with Ding Junhui to make China's A team. [Photo by Xiao Da/chinadaily.com.cn]