NOT to be outdone by their female counterparts, the Singapore men's table tennis team got off to a winning start by defeating Canada 3-0 on Wednesday.

The women's team overcame seventh-ranked United States 3-0 earlier in the day.

Wang Yuegu beat Gao Jun 3-1 (11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4).

Fang Tianwei got the better of Wang Chen, winning 3-1 (11-2, 8-11, 11-4, 15-13).

The duo of Wang Yuegu and Li Jiawei then wrapped up the game, defeating Gao Jun and Huang Xi 11-5, 11-9, 11-7.

In the men's first match, the Republic's top paddler and world No 13, Gao Ning, gave Singapore the lead with a 3-1 (13-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9) win over Zhang Peng.

Yang Zi then extended the lead to 2-0, beating Pradeeban Peter-Paul 3-2 (8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7).

Yang then partnered Cai Xiaoli to defeat Peter-Paul and Shen Qiang 3-1 (9-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-5).

Singapore's men will face Croatia and Germany on Friday as they bid to reach the semi-finals.

Only the top team from this group will make the last four.

The women's team will play Nigeria next at 7.30pm on Wednesday.

On Thursday, they play the Netherlands in the last of their group matches.