The first round of this year's World Tour, which will also stop in Malmö from August 16-23, got off to a brilliant start for the Swedish table tennis star.
But Manav Thakkar, ranked 34th in the world, proved to be an unpleasant surprise.
"It was really difficult. I think he controlled a lot of the match and I had to adapt," says Möregårdh.
The Indian, fast, agile and tactically cunning, forced Möregårdh to bring out his best under pressure.
"I don't know how he plays and it makes me nervous," Möregårdh said on SVT's broadcast.
The Swede managed to win the important third set but was down 1–8 in the fourth.
After a huge comeback, Möregårdh won the set and the match 3–1 (11–4, 9–11, 11–8, 14–12).
Möregårdh won the Europe Smash at home in Malmö, won the WTT Champions in Montpellier and finished 2025 with second place in the WTT final in Hong Kong.
He is now one of eight players left in the fight for victory in Doha. In Saturday's quarter-finals, South Korean Jang Woojin awaits; he knocked out eighth-seeded Frenchman Felix Lebrun in the first round.
"The last time we played in this arena, I think it was 14-12 in the last set. I think you can expect something similar. He's a fantastic player, so it's going to be tough," says Möregårdh in the victory interview.
The total prize pool in Doha is around 4.6 million SEK.
