Bernadette Szocs overcame Dina Meshref to progress to the last 16 ©ITTF

Bernadette Szocs has booked a date with world number one Chen Meng after winning a thriller on day one of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Women’s World Cup in Chinese city Weihai.

The Romanian progressed to the knockout stages courtesy of an 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5 victory over Egypt’s Dina Meshref.

The seven-game epic was one of the highlights of a milestone day for the ITTF as international table tennis returned after an eight-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lily Zhang of the United States and Puerto Rico’s Adriana Díaz dug deep to come through an intense Group 2.

The pair were tied with Margaryta Pesotska on two victories each, but the Ukrainian missed out on points difference.

Zhang will take on fifth seed Feng Tianwei in what will be a repeat of their bronze-medal match at last year’s Women’s World Cup, which the Singaporean won.

"I’m just happy to have made it over the line today," said Zhang.

"Last year I had the best tournament of my life. 

"Never did I expect to do so well.

"However, I don’t want to draw comparisons because this is a very different year so I just want to focus on what’s in my control."

Lily Zhang battled hard to reach the knockout stage of the ITTF Women's World Cup ©Getty Images
Lily Zhang battled hard to reach the knockout stage of the ITTF Women's World Cup ©Getty Images

Making her first appearance in the knockout stages of the event, Díaz now meets third seed Sun Yingsha of China.

Díaz secured her place in the last 16 by beating Canada's Zhang Mo 11-5, 7-11, 11-2, 11-9, 12-10 and Pesotska 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8 either side of losing 13-11, 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 10-12, 5-11 to Lily Zhang.

"All the players here are really tough and I am happy to have won two matches and be back playing at such a high level,” said Diaz.

"I feel very lucky to be here and just enjoying the moment."

The top eight seeds received byes to the round of 16, which starts tomorrow.

Second seed Mima Ito of Japan will begin her quest for the title with a match against South Korean Jeon Ji-hee, who pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Britt Eerland of The Netherlands.

Arguably the standout performance of the day came from Han Ying who won both her matches in straight games, defeating Jeon and Eerland.

"I thought I was in good form today," said the German.

"Now the top eight seeds are entering the action and they are all very strong competitors.

"This is my first-ever Women’s World Cup and I am using every match as a chance to learn."