Serbia beat Qatar to avenge their 2014 FIBA 3x3 World Championships final defeat ©FIBA

Serbia avenged their 2014 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3 World Championships final defeat to Qatar today as they beat the men's world champions on the opening day of the 2016 tournament in Guangzhou, China.

Action began today with Groups A and D in the men's competition, with B and C in the women's tournament taking to the court.

Two years ago, at the World Championships in Russia, the Qatari team won the men's title against all odds after beating Serbia 18-13 in the final.

History was not repeated today, however, as the Serbians got the better of their rivals, winning 21-16.

The number one seeds then went on to beat Russia 21-14 in the final match of the day, while Qatar got their first points on the board as they defeated Italy 19-15.

Elsewhere in Group A, which has been dubbed the "group of death", New Zealand got off to a dreadful start as they first lost to Russia 22-12 before also being beaten by the Italians, 21-11.

The US, meanwhile, got off to a solid start in group D, winning both of their matches.

Seeded fourth, the Americans first beat The Netherlands 15-11 and then went on to double their tally with a convincing 20-12 win over Turkey.

The Turkish side then suffered their second defeat at the hands of Japan who also earned two wins from two today.

The Asians defeated Turkey 21-16, before beating continental rivals and hosts China 19-14.

China then suffered more misery as they were beaten once again, this time 19-16 by the Dutch.

In the women's competition the US beat Japan 21-12 in one of their matches today ©FIBA
In the women's competition the US beat Japan 21-12 in one of their matches today ©FIBA

In today's action in the women's tournament, the US continued their ongoing dominance by winning both of their opening matches.

The Americans have won the two previous editions of this tournament and played ominously today, beating both Italy, 21-14, and Japan, 21-12.

Meanwhile, three teams in Group A are all on one win and one defeat after the first day.

Spain beat Chinese Taipei 18-13 before narrowly losing 15-14 to Italy.

Chinese Taipei managed to post points on the board, inflicting a second defeat on Japan, 13-10.

Recently crowned European champions Hungary continued their impressive form, easing to two wins in their first two games in Group B.

They first beat bottom seeds Macau 21-5, before dominating Andorra 21-8.

Action will continue tomorrow when the other four groups across both competitions play their first matches.

The competition is being broadcast live on the recently launched Olympic Channel.

The top two in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.