China's men's players will compete alongside South Korean team-mates, with the exception of world number two Xu Xin, who will team-up with Adrien Mattenet of France.

Top seeds for the men's doubles are reigning Olympic champion Zhang Jike of China, who had to be rescued by his team-mates after suffering a shock defeat to Chen Chien-An of Chinese Taipei at the World Team Classic last week, and world number 53 Seo Hyun Deok of South Korea.

Other pairings to watch are Chinese world number one Ma Long and South Korean Lee Jung Woo, who are both renowned for their powerful forehand strokes, and world number three, China's Wang Hao, who will play alongside Jung Young Sik of Korea.

(Left to right) China's Ma Long, Wang Hao and Zhang Jike will all team-up with players from the home nation at this week's Korean Open

"This initiative from the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) is most welcome." said International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President Adham Sharara.

"It is a great idea that will help make World Tour events even more exciting.

"It is also one of the positive steps taken by the CTTA to help the development of players from other countries"

China head coach Liu Guoliang spoke of how the experiment could benefit the development of players from other nations in a sport which is completely dominated by Chinese players.

"The Korea Open will be our first trial of pairing with foreign players." he said

"This invitation is open to every country, not just the top ones, as we want to give everyone a chance.

"I believe this is good for the growth and development of worldwide table tennis."

The ITTF World Tour Korea Open gets underway today in Incheon City and runs through until Sunday (April 7).

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