Pressed Olympic Champion: "One of my best matches"

Linda Bergström disturbed the reigning OS champion Chen Meng. But fell in the end with 1–4 in sets in table tennis's second round, and is eliminated. One of my best matches ever, says Bergström.

» Published: July 30 2024

Pressed Olympic Champion: "One of my best matches"
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

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The Swede, seeded 21st in the Olympic Games, surprisingly took home the first set, 11–8, not least thanks to a road-winning defensive game. Then, second-seeded Chen Meng looked shaken.

The first set was really good. I took six straight points, I think, and got the match where I wanted it. It's a shame I didn't manage to keep it up better in the second, where I feel the match swung.

I think I needed to put pressure on her there so she could get a bit more nervous.

The Chinese player has both routine and technical brilliance to handle pressured situations. She won the second and third sets relatively easily (11–4, 11–7) and then kept her nerves in check in the tough fourth set when she, at a tied score of 9–9, won two straight points for another set win.

The final set was tight, but world number four Chen eventually took it home with 11–8.

Bergström, who plays for French Saint-Quentin and had the loud crowd on her side throughout the match, is still pleased with her performance.

This is one of my best matches I've played. It's a shame I didn't get a different draw when I feel like I'm in this form.

Three out of four Swedish players are thus eliminated in singles. Truls Möregårdh is the last Swedish hope and will face Chinese world number one Wang Chuqin in the men's singles on Wednesday.

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

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