German world number five Boll is already relishing the prospect of playing alongside Ma, who strung together a sensational 50-game winning streak which lasted until he was defeated by current world number one Xu Xin in April this year at the Korean Open.

"Ma Long's forehand is a grenade," said the 32-year-old from Hessen.

"I'll do anything to bring him into firing position, especially as 50 million Chinese will be watching us on television.

"So I am hopeful we will do well together."

Other notable match-ups include former world champion Wang Hao, who is sure for a rapturous reception in his home city as he teams up with 20-year-old rising French star Quentin Robinot, who achieved online stardom with his audacious flair shots during the Kuwait Open in February.

"I am looking forward to playing with Robinot, we will learn a lot from each other and it will be a good promotion for the sport," said the Chinese world number four.

"I am looking forward to playing in front of my family and friends here in my hometown."

Young French star Quentin Robinot will pair-up with Chinese former world champion Wang Hao at the China Open

World number one Xu Xin will partner Patrick Franziska of Germany, world number 12 Yan An will play with Olympic bronze medallist Dimitrij Ovtcharov, also of Germany, and Olympic champion Zhang Jike returns from the successful defence of his world title in Paris last month to partner world number 24 Adrien Mattenet of France.

"I welcome everyone to Changchun, who is hosting this event for the fourth time," said Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) vice-President Lu Yuansheng on the eve of the opening day of the tournament.

"This is the first big event after the World Table Tennis Championships, and it is going to have huge media interest, especially with the mixed international doubles pairs after the big success at the ITTF Korea Open,"

The $172,000 (£110,000/€130,000) prize-pool tournament gives players a great opportunity to edge towards securing a place at the most lucrative tournament in table tennis history- the World Tour Final this December, which will see the men's and women's singles winners walk away with $104,000 (£67,000/€78,500).

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