The draw, released today, has potentially pitted the Olympic Games finalists together in the last four.

Ma became the fifth men's table tennis Grand Slam winner when he beat Zhang 4-0 at Rio 2016. 

After World Cup wins in the Swedish city Halmstad and Suzhou in China, Ma had the opportunity to complete the three-pronged Grand Slam at Rio 2016, which he went on to win.

Ma, winner of the the men's singles event at this tournament three years in a row, is due to kick off his campaign in Chengdu against Leong Chee Feng of Malaysia.

A potential quarter final clash with Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, fourth at Rio 2016, then awaits.

Zhang's possible route to the semi-finals will see him take on Koki Niwa, the gold medallist at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, of Japan and Portugal's Tiago Apolonia.

The Chinese duo will also feature in the men's doubles tournament, along with compatriots Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin.

There is also the possibility of a fiery encounter in the women's singles draw.

Olympic champion Ding Ning and world number one Liu Shiwen, both of China, are scheduled to meet in the semi-finals.

Earlier in the competition, Liu will potentially have the opportunity to avenge her loss in the Rio 2016 Asian qualification competition against Hong Kong's Doo Hoi Kem.

Liu was not selected for Rio 2016 and the shock defeat to Hoo Kem forced her down the pecking order.

Former Olympic champion Li Xiaoxia and world champion Ding Ning, the London 2012 silver medallist, were selected over Liu.

Ding will partner with Liu in the women's doubles, with Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling are the other Chinese duo in that event.

The event is due to conclude on Sunday (September 18).