Liebherr 2019 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Budapest April 21-28
Two years ago in Dusseldorf Sweden’s Matilda EKHOLM has been upset twice in the opening round of the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships in the Singles and Doubles event but she managed to reach Mixed Doubles quarter-finals playing alongside her compatriot Mattias KARLSSON. Actual world no. 30 is looking forward to her 8th consecutive individual World Championships to be held in Budapest (April 21-28) hoping that she will be able to surpass her best results: last 16 in Singles (2015) last 32 in Doubles (2007 and 2015) and quarter-finals in Mixed Doubles (2017).
“I have small injury in my shoulder but general feeling is good. I hope I can fight for medal in Doubles and Mixed Doubles and to reach Top 16 in Singles. Yes I will have a chance especially in Mixed Doubles and Doubles but of course it will not be easy” stated Matilda EKHOLM who will be no. 10 seed in Women Doubles playing together with her teammate from TTC Berlin Eastside Georgina POTA of Hungary.
EKHOLM considers China’s DING Ning and FAN Zhendong strongest title contenders in Women’s and Men’s Singles respectively. Regarding younger players able to upset favourites she explained:
“WANG Manyu is maybe even favorite to win gold medal. She is very strong and fast playing a very modern style. Missing in singles will be the young Hina HAYATA who lately beat LIU Shiwen she is in superb shape at the moment.”
