Acrobatic performances in the mixed doubles on the opening day of the World Championships ©ITTF/Facebook

"Photo_Gallery"

Special lighting created a special atmosphere before action began at the World Table Tennis Championships ©ITTF/Flickr
Special lighting created a special atmosphere before action began at the World Table Tennis Championships ©ITTF/Flickr
Sarah Tan of Australia competes during qualification on day one in the women's singles ©Getty Images
Sarah Tan of Australia competes during qualification on day one in the women's singles ©Getty Images
Maria Christoforaki of Greece was also in first round action ©Getty Images
Maria Christoforaki of Greece was also in first round action ©Getty Images
Members of the Welsh team, meanwhile, arrived after a 36 hour journey including cancelled flights at two different airports ©Twitter/Chloe Thomas
Members of the Welsh team, meanwhile, arrived after a 36 hour journey including cancelled flights at two different airports ©Twitter/Chloe Thomas
Matches took place across two halls today ©ITTF/Flickr
Matches took place across two halls today ©ITTF/Flickr
German hope Timo Boll speaks before beginning his World Championships campaign ©Getty Images
German hope Timo Boll speaks before beginning his World Championships campaign ©Getty Images
Top seeds have not begun playing yet but did gather together for the official draw ©ITTF
Top seeds have not begun playing yet but did gather together for the official draw ©ITTF
Table tennis balls specially produced for the World Championships ©ITTF/Flickr
Table tennis balls specially produced for the World Championships ©ITTF/Flickr
A view from under a table at the World Championships ©ITTF/Flickr
A view from under a table at the World Championships ©ITTF/Flickr