Tunisia's 15-year-old star inspired by role model Ding Ning

DUSSELDORF, Germany, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's 15-year-old player Fadwa Garci came to the world table tennis championships not only for playing matches, but also watching her role model Ding Ning play.

"I will make sure I watch all the matches of my role model, China's Ning Ding," she said of the world number one and defending champion.

Garci, a first ever appearance in the prestigious global tournament, partnered Kerem Ben Yahia to beat the Tahiti combination of Ocean Belrose and Tearo Le Caill 9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 in the mixed doubles qualifying one of the four show courts.

The two players had enjoyed success earlier in the year in April at the ITTF Africa Junior and Cadet Championships, with Ben Yahia winning the Under 21 men's singles title and Garci being crowned Cadet girls singles champion.

"This is indeed a good feeling for me playing in my first world championships," Garci said. "My aim in this tournament is to learn techniques, tactics and strategies. This is a new feeling and experience for my career playing in the colours of Tunisia at the biggest table tennis tournament in the world. I have not seen this kind of setting or atmosphere before and this is another motivation for me in my career."