SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Close Swedish upset – had match point against the world number one

Emil Andersson had a match ball against the world number one – but in the end it went as it always does. The Ukrainian Viktor Didukh turned it around and won 3–2. And the Swedish table tennis player will leave without a medal in the Paralympic Games.

» Updated: 26 September 2024

» Published: 04 September 2024

Close Swedish upset – had match point against the world number one
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Didukh and Andersson had met 14 times before the quarterfinal match – and the statistics were crushing. The world number one from Ukraine had won all the times.

Now Andersson was so close, so close to breaking the curse and simultaneously making it to the semifinal in class 8 and securing a medal in the Paralympic Games.

It's probably my best match ever. I've never beaten him, but today I really got close. Unfortunately, it's very tough to swallow today, says a taken Andersson to SVT after the loss.

The 31-year-old Swede, who took bronze in his debut in London 2012, started brilliantly and won the two tight sets, 11–9 and 12–10. It began to smell like a blue-yellow upset, just a month after Truls Möregårdh & Co reaped OS successes in the same arena in southern Paris.

Didukh took the third set, 11–8, and had long commanded even in the fourth. But Andersson rose from 6–9 to 10–9 – and had a match point in that position.

Andersson hit out via the net and a giant opportunity to decide the match disappeared.

Didukh took two balls in a row and forced a deciding set, where the Ukrainian continued. Andersson saved three match points, but not the fourth. Didukh won the set with 13–11 and the match with 3–2 in sets.

A tough Swedish ending to an incredibly thrilling match.

Earlier in the day, Daniel Gustafsson and Smilla Sand also went out in their quarterfinals.

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

More news

Pressure on Norway after the premiere failure in the World Championship
2 MIN READ

Pressure on Norway after the premiere failure in the World Championship

The Superstar Brought Down a Swede – Who Was Forced to Leave
1 MIN READ

The Superstar Brought Down a Swede – Who Was Forced to Leave

World Number Two Booed for Coffee Comment
1 MIN READ

World Number Two Booed for Coffee Comment

Chaos in the stands: "Completely drunk"
2 MIN READ

Chaos in the stands: "Completely drunk"

Star's World Championship Criticism: "Has Lost its Charm"
3 MIN READ

Star's World Championship Criticism: "Has Lost its Charm"

McGregor faces civil lawsuit for assault
1 MIN READ

McGregor faces civil lawsuit for assault

Arsenal turned it around and won the derby against Tottenham
2 MIN READ

Arsenal turned it around and won the derby against Tottenham

AIK's success drag: "Wrong" goalkeeper in the derby
2 MIN READ

AIK's success drag: "Wrong" goalkeeper in the derby

Alexander Isak makes history: "I feel fantastic"
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak makes history: "I feel fantastic"

Linn Svahn skips this weekend's World Cup competitions
1 MIN READ

Linn Svahn skips this weekend's World Cup competitions

Uefa penalizes Djurgården – short stand to be closed
1 MIN READ

Uefa penalizes Djurgården – short stand to be closed

Finndell back in Djurgården: "Fantastic"
1 MIN READ

Finndell back in Djurgården: "Fantastic"

Full Score Shooting Gave the "New" Norwegian the Victory
2 MIN READ

Full Score Shooting Gave the "New" Norwegian the Victory

Has tested positive for doping – misses the World Championship
1 MIN READ

Has tested positive for doping – misses the World Championship

Banned player participated in training – reported
1 MIN READ

Banned player participated in training – reported

Roller Skiing Competition Kicks Off Next Biathlon Season
1 MIN READ

Roller Skiing Competition Kicks Off Next Biathlon Season

They meet Sweden in the year's first home match
1 MIN READ

They meet Sweden in the year's first home match

Öberg's luxury problem: "Double focus"
2 MIN READ

Öberg's luxury problem: "Double focus"

Johaug on Doping: "Was a Lesson for Me"
1 MIN READ

Johaug on Doping: "Was a Lesson for Me"

Djokovic wrote Grand Slam history: "Happy"
1 MIN READ

Djokovic wrote Grand Slam history: "Happy"