With subsequent victories over Thailand's Phakpoom Sanguansin and Lkhagvadorj Altantulga of Mongolia, Cheung secured second place in group C, behind Jang, and will appear in today's knockout stage.

'The result was not unexpected,' said Cheung's coach, Chan Kong-wah. 'He did not go through regular training during the world team championships [last week in Guangzhou]. But having gone through a tough opening day, Cheung should be able to improve. But he may need to battle all the way to the final day to secure his [Olympic] place.'

If Cheung loses in today's knockout stage, he can still clinch one of the seven Olympic qualifying spots through the repechage.

Hot favourite Wang Liqin, the Chinese world number three, had little difficulty collecting four straight wins to top group A. Group B was won by Jun Mizutani of Japan, while in group D, Chiang Peng-lung of Taiwan was the clear winner.

'[Wang] has improved match by match and I don't see any big problem for him to qualify,' said China men's coach Liu Guoliang. 'Even though there are quite a number of matches, we are quite happy with his fitness and he should be able to cope with it.'

Of the 21 men competing, seven will book their places for the Beijing Games through this qualifying tournament.

In the women's event, which will also see seven qualifiers, three-time Olympic champion Wang Nan of China also cruised to the knockout stage with three straight wins in group A.

Hong Kong's Zhang Rui was able to match her ex-doubles partner's success with victories in all her four matches in group C, including a tough 4-2 win over Kim Jong of North Korea. Kim defeated Wang in the group stage at the world team championships.

Wang and Zhang played doubles together for Liaoning province and won a gold medal at the 2001 National Games before Zhang moved to Hong Kong.

All to play for

Hong Kong's Cheung Yuk will be hoping he is one of this lucky number who will qualify for the Olympics: 7