For the first time since 2000 when Jan-Ove WALDNER won silver and 32 years after his gold medal Sweden will have a player in the final of the Olympic men’s singles tournament. In Paris 2024 Truls MÖREGÅRDH secured a place in the final marking the first time a non-Chinese player has done so since South Korea’s RYU Seung-Min in Athens 2004.
Truls defeated Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO 4-2 (12-10 16-14 7-11 11-7 10-12 11-8). The Swede will face FAN Zhendong in the final a re-run of the 2021 World Championships final. CALDERANO will play for the bronze medal against Felix LEBRUN.
“It’s completely crazy. I am so proud. I have never cried this much ” said MÖREGÅRDH.
Ranked 26th in the world MÖREGÅRDH overcame the toughest possible start against the Brazilian world number six. Hugo CALDERANO 28 began brilliantly and MÖREGÅRDH 22 was down 4-10 in the first game. He then saved six straight games points and won it 12-10.
Despite the referee’s comments on the Swede’s serve he maintained his focus and won the second game 16-14 after saving three game points. In the end it was a 4-2 victory.
It is the first final in 24 years for Sweden. MÖREGÅRDH had a hard time processing what he had just accomplished after the match point.
“This is the craziest thing that has happened in a long time ” he said.
Next up is the Chinese World number two FAN Zhendong who defeated Félix LEBRUN in this morning’s semifinal with a 4-0 set victory.
“I will be proud no matter how it goes ” added MÖREGÅRDH.
FAN Zhendong shattered French dreams of a gold medal defeating home favorite Felix LEBRUN 4-0 (11-8 11-6 11-7 11-4) to secure his place in the gold medal match. The Chinese star determined to rectify his Tokyo 2020 silver medal finish delivered a dominant performance to silence the passionate French crowd.
