There will be no semi-final for Anton Källberg at the WTT Champions tournament in Frankfurt, Germany. World number twelve Dang Qiu was too tough in the quarter-finals.
The German won the first set 11–8, before Källberg equalized at 11–6 in the second set. But after that, Dang Qiu won three straight sets (11–8, 19–17, 11–5).
Källberg had the chance to reduce in the fourth set, when he led 9–1. But the 28-year-old lost the big lead and then lost the set to 17–19 after a marathon set.
Somehow I was able to win in the end. Anton has had a fantastic period and played very well in this match as well, he pressured me hard. Fortunately, I was able to win the decisive 19–17 set and the whole match in the end, says Dang Qiu after the match.
The home team will face the winner of the semi-final between Frenchman Simon Gauzy and South Korean Lee Sang Su on Sunday. Their quarter-final will be played on Saturday evening.
I love this advantage, the atmosphere, and I hope we can continue like this tomorrow, says Dang Qiu, who is the only seeded player left in the tournament.
Until the quarterfinals, Källberg knocked out compatriot Truls Möregårdh and French star Alexis Lebrun, among others.
