Möregårdh knocked out the world number one: "The biggest thing I've done"

It was a super upset that made the entire table tennis world shake. Truls Möregårdh knocked out Chinese world number one Wang Chuqin in the second round of the Olympic Games. The absolutely biggest thing I've ever done, but not worth much if I don't take a medal now, says the 22-year-old.

» Updated: October 06 2024

» Published: July 31 2024

Möregårdh knocked out the world number one: "The biggest thing I've done"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

The 26-year-old Swede, who took VM silver in 2021, had 0–8 in head-to-head meetings with Wang Chuqin, 24 years old, Olympic champion in mixed doubles together with Sun Yingsha as recently as on Tuesday.

Möregårdh had only taken three sets in total in the eight lost matches.

Now he made the performance of a lifetime and won with 4–2 in sets, 12–10, 11–7, 5–11, 7–11, 11–9, 11–6.

I'm still in shock and it feels completely crazy, he says a long time afterwards when he meets the Swedish press in the mixed zone.

He had to wait for three days for the match after the victory in the first round over the Belgian Cedric Nuytinck.

Triggered by the chatter

But those days allowed hope to grow and a tactical plan to emerge. The chatter about a nightmare draw triggered the Eslöv player.

A bit like that, I felt that everyone thought it was over and they started talking about the team event, he says.

The tactical genius move was to bring out a special serve – which he doesn't actually rate very highly.

It's actually the worst serve I have. I called Malte (brother and coach) too and said that I'm going to use that serve. I've watched a lot of video and he doesn't really like that spin. He had problems with it, says Möregårdh and explains it as the less common of two different sidespins.

I usually use 25 different serves in a match, now I used one, sometimes without spin at all, he tells.

Strong comebacks

The Swede took home the first two sets, after having been behind in both.

A good start was the key and the Chinese was shaken.

Wang equalized, but Möregårdh continued to play varied, utilizing his serve and was ice-cold.

Not even when the Chinese approached with two consecutive turnarounds in the fifth set – edge ball and net roll – did Möregårdh waver.

It was a bit cracking, I had 2–0 in his serve when I had messed up two sets and felt that I could go for it. But I really kept calm, he says.

With mom and dad in the stands, Möregårdh felt the support – now he hopes that his girlfriend Leah Muskantor will come to Paris too.

We almost have to fly her in now. I want to have everyone here, but when we saw the draw it looked tough, he explains.

Both Malte Möregårdh and Leah Muskantor are on their way to Paris.

I'm sitting on the train on my way to the airport with Malte, says Muskantor to Aftonbladet.

The next match, the round of 16 against Kao Cheng-Jui, Taiwan, is played already tonight, at 8:00 PM.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

La Liga Blocks Barcelona from
2 MIN READ

La Liga Blocks Barcelona from Registering Dani Olmo

Cornelia Kapocs' National Team Call-Up
2 MIN READ

Cornelia Kapocs' National Team Call-Up Goes Viral with Heartwarming Video

Swedish Riders Aim to Defend
2 MIN READ

Swedish Riders Aim to Defend Titles at Basel Equestrian Finals

Möregårdh Cruises to Second Round
1 MIN READ

Möregårdh Cruises to Second Round in WTT Champions Tournament

Karlskoga's Måns Krämer Suspended Three
1 MIN READ

Karlskoga's Måns Krämer Suspended Three Games for Head Tackle

Jörgen Persson Takes on New
1 MIN READ

Jörgen Persson Takes on New Role as Saudi Arabia's Table Tennis Coach

Dani Alves Acquittal Faces Appeal
1 MIN READ

Dani Alves Acquittal Faces Appeal by Spanish Prosecutors

Ida Dahl Opens Up About
1 MIN READ

Ida Dahl Opens Up About Her Struggles After Skiing Success

Ancelotti Denies Fraud Charges in
1 MIN READ

Ancelotti Denies Fraud Charges in Madrid Court Over Tax Allegations

Sweden Loses UEFA Influence as
3 MIN READ

Sweden Loses UEFA Influence as Norway Gains Ground

Messi's Bodyguard Barred from Pitch
2 MIN READ

Messi's Bodyguard Barred from Pitch Access at Inter Miami Matches

Grand Slam Track Launches with
2 MIN READ

Grand Slam Track Launches with 130 Million Kronor Prize Pool

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty After Speedway Crash

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three
2 MIN READ

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three Goals Shy of Gretzky's Record

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over
3 MIN READ

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over Silence on Canada-US Tensions

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match
1 MIN READ

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match as Bottle Thrown on Field

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener
1 MIN READ

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener with Ineffective Power Play

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's
1 MIN READ

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's Win Over Man United

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as
1 MIN READ

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as Saka Returns for Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures
1 MIN READ

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated
1 MIN READ

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated Offside Tech Next Week

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension
1 MIN READ

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension of Five Players After Detroit-Minnesota Game

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for
1 MIN READ

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for Season After Debut Injury

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge
3 MIN READ

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge as Sweden Prepares for Euro 2024

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train as Leaders' Bans Continue

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff Exit; Club Legend Jönsson Set to Return

Haaland Expected to Return in
1 MIN READ

Haaland Expected to Return in 5-7 Weeks After Foot Injury

Experts Propose Global Sports Body
2 MIN READ

Experts Propose Global Sports Body to Tackle Corruption and Crime

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves Russia to Compete for Australia

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent
1 MIN READ

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent Minnesota's Second Loss to New Jersey

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third Straight Win at World Championship

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety
2 MIN READ

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety in Hockey Equipment Industry

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines in Miami's Victory Over Washington

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot
1 MIN READ

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot Injury, City Hopes for Season Return

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated
2 MIN READ

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated Semifinal Against Djurgården

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda
3 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda to Semifinals

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK
2 MIN READ

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK Victory at Gamla Ullevi

Swedish Referees Selected for European
1 MIN READ

Swedish Referees Selected for European Championship Duty

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance