Beijing Showdown Sparks Controversy and Comeback
The ongoing table tennis action in Beijing delivered drama both on and off the table. In the second set, with the score tied at 6–6, Swedish star Truls Möregårdh erupted in protest after a line-call on a serve against Omar Assar. The umpire ruled that Möregårdh hadn’t tossed the ball correctly, awarding a point to Assar. Möregårdh challenged the decision, shouting, “I’ve done it eight times before and you’ve done nothing.” The umpire did not change the call and Möregårdh picked up a warning for his outburst.
From there, Möregårdh found his spark. He closed out the second set 11–8 after dropping the opener 5–11 and went on to win the third 11–6. The Swede then edged the fourth set 12–10 to clinch a spot in the next round. The moment underscored Möregårdh’s resilience and his willingness to respond with intensity when challenged. The win also carried extra weight for the 23-year-old, who had just celebrated winning the latest World Tour Grand Smash title at home in Malmö.
Karlsson Stays Busy in Beijing: Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Singles
While Möregårdh navigated the singles arena, Kristian Karlsson’s Tuesday in Peking was nothing short of frenetic. He opened the day in doubles, partnering Mattias Falck. The Swedish duo defeated Aditya Sareen (Australia) and Edward Ly (Canada) in straight sets, 3–0, advancing to the next round. A few hours later, Karlsson teamed up with Stina Källberg in mixed doubles and faced Falck again, this time opposite Barbora Várady from Slovakia. In a tense match that went to five sets, the Swedish pair prevailed 3–2 and moved into a quarterfinal against Yuan Licen and Wang Yidi of China, the top-seeded pairing in the draw.
Yuan Licen, who had defeated Anton Källberg in the opening round, awaited Karlsson in the singles second round. The 33-year-old Swede, ranked 40 in the world, faced the 141st-ranked Yuan and didn’t miss a beat, sweeping the youngster 3–0 with set scores of 12–10, 11–8, 11–6. Afterward, Karlsson told SVT it was “a fully acceptable day on the job,” and added that reclaiming a bit of revenge for Anton’s loss the previous day felt very satisfying. He explained that he was able to disrupt Yuan’s serve and force the Chinese qualifier into uncomfortable situations, helping him control the match from start to finish.
Looking ahead, Karlsson and Falck will face a formidable test in the doubles on Wednesday. They are set to take on Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong, who sit at the very top of the world rankings in singles. The Swedish duo knows the task will be difficult, but their early-season momentum and the success in the mixed doubles have heightened expectations for what they can achieve in both disciplines in Beijing.
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Beijing’s competition format continues to test Sweden’s depth and versatility. Möregårdh’s ability to respond to contentious calls with a strong finish signals a player who can thrive under pressure, while Karlsson’s day demonstrates that Swedish players are balanced across singles, doubles, and mixed formats. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how Möregårdh maintains his momentum after a heated moment, and whether Karlsson and Falck can translate their doubles success into a deep run against the world’s elite doubles teams.
