The semifinal started well for Truls Möregårdh. The 23-year-old won the first set with a clear 11–5.
But then Wang Chuqin got more into the match. The Chinese won a close second set with 11–8, and took the third set with a whole 11–2.
Möregårdh went for victory in the fourth set and was ahead 10–8, but Wang could turn it around and won the set with 12–10.
"He moves perfectly"
The fifth set was won by Wang with 12–10, and the final spot was safe after 4–1 in sets.
After the defeat, Möregårdh took a few minutes for himself to think about the match.
I was barely sad, I was barely angry. He played fantastically... I also played fantastically. There's something else about him, he moves perfectly every time and finds angles no one else sees.
Third VM medal
There is no bronze match, so both losers of the semifinals get a medal. Möregårdh thus takes his third VM medal in his career.
Previously, Möregårdh has a bronze (team) and a silver medal (single) from VM 2018 and VM 2021 in Halmstad and Houston, respectively.
It's a fantastic championship. To be so young and bring home a medal to Sweden. It's not many who can do that, and not many who have done it, especially not twice. It's a bit heavy now, would be strange if it wasn't, but I'll come home with my head held high, says Möregårdh.
Sensationally in Paris
Möregårdh pulled off a super upset in the OS in Paris 2024, when he knocked out the then world number one Wang in the round of 16.
In the last meeting, during a tournament in Chongqing, the Swede lost in three straight sets.
Wang will face the winner between the Chinese Liang Jingkun, fifth in the world rankings, and the Brazilian Hugo Calderano, third, who plays the other semifinal at 17.40.
Born: February 16, 2002.
Occupation: Table tennis player.
Club: Eslöv AI.
World ranking: Seventh.
Main merits: VM silver in singles 2021, VM bronze medal in singles 2025, OS silver medal in singles and OS silver medal in team 2024.
Other: Voted by the Swedish people to win Radiosportens Jerring Prize 2024.
