Brits finish sixth as China dominate opening day in Qingdao

PETER Waterfield and Max Brick finished sixth in the men's 10m synchro as China dominated the opening day of the FINA/Li-Ning Diving World Series in Qingdao.

The national champions started the final strongly in China, tied for third after their first jump before slipping into fourth after their second effort.

But the duo dropped to sixth after their fourth effort and failed to make up the deficit with their remaining two jumps.

Home favourites Zhang Yanquan and Cao Yuan eventually struck gold on 483.15 with Germany's Sascha Klein and Patrick Hausding second on 442.56 and Cuba's Jose Guerra and Jeinkler Aguirre third on 416.28.

Great Britain's Tonia Couch also reached the final of the women's 10m platform final but could do no better than Waterfield and Brick and finished sixth.

The 20-year old also impressed early on, with a first jump of 76.80 placing her second behind China's Olympic champion Chen Ruolin.

But the Brit's first jump proved to be the best of her five as she gradually slipped down the leaderboard to finish sixth on 341.35

Chen eventually eased to victory, scoring a phenomenal 96.00 for her final dive on the way to an overall score of 448.40

Compatriot Kang Li struck silver for China on 390.70 while Canada's Meaghan Benfeito captured bronze on 382.50.

Sunday's second day in Qingdao sees world champion Tom Daley in action in the men's 10m platform as well as Megan Sylvester and Monique Gladding in the women's 10m synchro.