Table tennis: Truls Möregårdh on the nightmare draw: “Maximum fluency”

It is he who will meet on the other side of the table if Möregårdh can handle Cedric Nuytink in the opening match.

Reigning world champion Wang is in a class of his own – he hasn’t lost a match so far this year. Möregårdh’s record against the Chinese is also bleak.

– I have only won four sets in eight matches against him. It’s an opponent that doesn’t suit me well. If there was anyone I didn’t want to go against, it was him, says Möregårdh.

Källberg starts against Congolese Saheed Idowu. A match he should win. Félix Lebruen will be a completely different five. The Frenchman is seeded third in the tournament.

“No impossible task”

– I see it as a very fun and interesting match. It’s clear that it’s tough, but he gets to take on the favourite. We have met before and I have been in the matches. It is not an impossible task, but it is a round first that must be won.

Stina Källberg meets Indian Sreeja Akula in the women’s singles. Linda Bergström starts against a qualifier but, if she advances, may face the top-seeded Chinese Chen Meng.

In the team competition, the Swedes start against Hong Kong.

– We are obviously underdogs, but I think we have a good chance to win, says Bergström.

China first in a final

In the men’s team competition, the road ahead looks easier in advance, where they can only face China in a possible final.

Kristian Karlsson plays with Christina Källberg in mixed doubles. The couple got an okay draw. The Swedes start against Cuba and will probably face Japan if they win.

The Olympic table tennis starts on Saturday.

Hear Truls Möregårdh’s thoughts before the Olympics in the player below (from July 17).

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Hear more about Truls Möregårdh’s thoughts before the Olympics Photo: Bildbyrån

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