Playing in just their second tournament together, the Dutch pairing defeated China's Wang Yanwei and Yan Tingyang 21-19, 21-16 in 26 minutes.

“It’s our second tournament together, it’s incredible,” said Penninga.

“China is so different from our country.

"We have jet lag and we have only four days’ training, so I am really happy that we played in the centre court against home team."

Quentin Metral and Simon Hagenbuch of Switzerland rallied from one set down to beat New Zealand’s Sonny Hirini and Sam O’Dea 18-21, 21-14, 15-10 for a berth in the main draw.

Japanese duo Kensuke Shoji and Yusuke Ishijima also advanced after they defeated England's Matthew Hunter and Mark Garcia-Kidd 21-17, 21-12.

In the women's tournament, Alice Bain and Julia Tilley of New Zealand secured their first main draw appearance at a FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour three-star event by winning their qualification match.

Bain and Tilley beat Kim Huber and Tatjana Greber of Switzerland 21-19, 21-11 to book their place in the women's first round.

Two teams from Japan also claimed qualification victories today.

Sayaka Mizoe and Suzuka Hashimoto beat compatriots Yukako Suzuki and Fujii Sakurako 21-19, 21-18 while Akiko Hasegawa and Azusa Futami thrashed Canadian duo Amanda Harnett and Sophie Bukovec 21-12, 21-11.

The event in Qinzhou is the second in the new FIVB Beach World Tour season, following the men’s-only tournament in Montpellier last month.

It will be followed by tournaments in Aalsmeer in The Netherlands from October 25 to 29 and in Sydney from November 22 to 26.