The first five sets were dominated by Anton Källberg, who led 3–2 (11–7, 9–11, 11–13, 11–8, 11–9) and was just one set away from winning a historic gold medal in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. It would have been Sweden’s first singles title since Peter Karlsson won in Bremen 26 years ago.
But then it was as if Félix Lebrun shifted up another two gears, and Källberg couldn’t keep up. Lebrun won the sixth set 11–6, then the seventh and decisive set 11–1.
It felt good, except for the last two sets, where I basically had no chance. He serves better, and I can’t get out of his game after he changes his serve. On my own serve, I get no dividends and put no pressure on him, and in the game, I can’t withstand his spin and speed, Källberg tells SVT.
First individual medal
Earlier on Sunday, Källberg beat Germany’s Dang Qiu 4–2 in sets in the semifinals.
The 29-year-old has previously won European Championship gold, Olympic silver and World Championship bronze, but in team events.
Now he has won his first individual medal. But immediately afterwards, he couldn’t really be happy about it.
Sad, of course. A gold would have been much more fun. It feels like there’s a big difference between gold and silver, says Källberg.
“Would have been so nice”
He will therefore return from the European Championships with two silver medals. On Saturday, he lost the doubles final with Kristian Karlsson to Félix Lebrun and his brother Alexis.
If Källberg had known before the European Championships that he would win two silver medals, he would have thought that was good, he notes. But where he stood, just after another final loss, it was difficult to feel that way.
“If you had asked me yesterday, I wouldn’t have been happy with two silver medals. Right now it’s sad. It would have been so nice to have a gold medal,” says Anton Källberg.
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