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

Share this article

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

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Jonas Jerebko Reacts to European Championship Omission
1 MIN READ

Jonas Jerebko Reacts to European Championship Omission

Colombia Secures World Championship Spot with James Rodriguez's Goal
1 MIN READ

Colombia Secures World Championship Spot with James Rodriguez's Goal

Messi Scores Twice in Emotional Farewell Match in Argentina
2 MIN READ

Messi Scores Twice in Emotional Farewell Match in Argentina

Amanda Anisimova Reaches US Open Final After Overcoming Burnout
2 MIN READ

Amanda Anisimova Reaches US Open Final After Overcoming Burnout

Independiente Disqualified from South American Cup After Chaotic Match
2 MIN READ

Independiente Disqualified from South American Cup After Chaotic Match

Spain Exits Early from European Basketball Championship
1 MIN READ

Spain Exits Early from European Basketball Championship

Björn Borg on Prostate Cancer Battle and Recovery Journey
2 MIN READ

Björn Borg on Prostate Cancer Battle and Recovery Journey

Germany Suffers First Away World Championship Qualifying Loss in 91 Years
1 MIN READ

Germany Suffers First Away World Championship Qualifying Loss in 91 Years

Bäckström Records Assist in Brynäs' CHL Victory Over Klagenfurt
1 MIN READ

Bäckström Records Assist in Brynäs' CHL Victory Over Klagenfurt

Sweden Faces Intense World Championship Qualification Challenge
3 MIN READ

Sweden Faces Intense World Championship Qualification Challenge

Norwegian Striker Cathinka Tandberg Departs Hammarby
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Striker Cathinka Tandberg Departs Hammarby

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Advances to US Open Semifinal
1 MIN READ

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Advances to US Open Semifinal

Melina Andersson Wins Silver in Canoe Marathon World Championship
1 MIN READ

Melina Andersson Wins Silver in Canoe Marathon World Championship

Liverpool Signs Beata Olsson from Kristianstad in Record Transfer
1 MIN READ

Liverpool Signs Beata Olsson from Kristianstad in Record Transfer

Frölunda and Färjestad Set for Exciting Women's Hockey Rivalry
3 MIN READ

Frölunda and Färjestad Set for Exciting Women's Hockey Rivalry

Slovenia vs Sweden: World Cup Qualifier Match Preview
3 MIN READ

Slovenia vs Sweden: World Cup Qualifier Match Preview

Louise Etzner Jakobsson Wins First European Championship Gold
1 MIN READ

Louise Etzner Jakobsson Wins First European Championship Gold

French Women's Boxing Team Misses World Championship Due to Late Gender Test
2 MIN READ

French Women's Boxing Team Misses World Championship Due to Late Gender Test

Roberth Björknesjö Named New Head Coach of Allsvenska Öster
1 MIN READ

Roberth Björknesjö Named New Head Coach of Allsvenska Öster

Jon Dahl Tomasson Tasked with Leading Sweden to World Championship
3 MIN READ

Jon Dahl Tomasson Tasked with Leading Sweden to World Championship