Preview: China faces tough task at United Cup without star Zheng

SYDNEY, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Gao Xinyu will face the formidable challenge of replacing women's world No. 5 Zheng Qinwen when she partners with Zhang Zhizhen, China's highest-ranked men's player, at the season-opening United Cup starting on Dec. 27.

Fifth-seeded China opens its tournament against Brazil on Friday at the 15,000-seat RAC Arena in Perth. Defending champion Germany, led by men's world No. 2 Alexander