The other gold of the second day of competition in Ying Tung Natatorium, which hosted water polo at the Beijing 2008 Games, went to the hosts in the free combination event.

Simoneau, who had won the solo free technical event the day before as well as playing her part in a winning duet technical routine, won the solo free routine today with 90.4333 points.

Nevena Dimitruevic of Serbia took the silver in 78.1000.

"I am happy with my solo performance,” Simoneau told FINA.

“As it was the first event held in the morning, I got up at 6.15am and the most difficult thing was not the competition but to decorate my hair with jelly.

“It took me about 30 minutes to do my make-up and make the perfect hairstyle!"

In the highlight routine, Canada finished top with 89.1000, ahead of France, who scored 86.9333.

Returning veteran Sun Wenyan brought all her experience to bear as the hosts won the free combination event.

Sun, who returned to the national team at the end of 2018 after leaving two years earlier, played a full part as China used the same theme – “Stormy Ocean” – that had provided its first world title at Budapest in 2017.

The home team took gold with 94.9000 points, Ukraine finishing second on 86.2667.

"I am in very good shape, better than in the past,” said Sun.

 “I feel more powerful and stronger and I am happy to come back to the national team.

“Since the free combination time has changed from four and a half minutes to four minutes, we changed some choreography from the original routine.

“The renovated version is more difficult and intensive, and the moves were faster.

“We did a good job today."

China head coach Wang Jie said: "It is our first show of the year. I am satisfied with my girls – it was just a test to prepare for the World Championships"

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