European Championships | 29 Jul 2022
Kristian KARLSSON: I want to polish my medals to a higher shine in Munich
Only few weeks away from the European Championships in Munich (August 13th to 21st), No.8 seed Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON recorded fantastic win over China’s WANG Chuqin in the Round of 32 at the WTT Champions European Summer Series 2022 in Budapest.
Celebrating his first international singles only two days back, WANG Chuqin was left in a state of shock on his WTT Champions debut after losing out at the first hurdle of the Men’s Singles draw.
“It was great win. Probably the best matches in my career. I will bring that to Munich. It boosted my self-confidence,” said KARLSSON.
World champion in Doubles in Huston last year with Mattias FALCK, and also silver medalist with FALCK at the European Championships in Herning 2012 and Alicante 2018, KARLSSON had a bronze medal from Spain in Singles, and two bronze more ion Doubles in Budapest 2016 and Yekaterinburg year earlier.
“I will move now to Tunis, where both FALCK and I will play in doubles. We have two silvers from the Europeans and we hope to take home gold this time. Our goal in Doubles is to win the title. Speaking of singles, I already have bronze and now I want to “polish” it into something more shiny – silver or gold medal.”
The competition is very strong. Best European players will be on duty in Munich.
“The European players are very close speaking of quality. More or less, everyone can beat everyone. It will come down to who is best prepared at the moment of the play,” explained KARLSSON.
Top 16 seeds are Truls MOREGARD of Sweden, Darko JORGIC of Slovenia, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany, followed by his teammates QIU Dang, Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA. The list goes on with Swedes Anton KALLBERG and KARLSSON, Liam Pitchford of England, Andrej GACINA of Croatia, Simon GAUZY of France, Benedikt DUDA of Germany, Marcos FREITAS of Portugal, Robert GARDOS of Austria, Mattias FALCK and Jon PERSSON of Sweden.
“Looking by the list, I am sure that all the top seeds has a chance to win the title in Munich. At least there are 16 names who can win in Singles. It will be interesting to see who will do it at the end. However, I think that Truls has the biggest chances in the Swedish team.”
Part of the team Sweden will have preparation camp, whilst KARLSSON, FALCK and PERSSON will move to Tunis to prepare by playing at the WTT Contender Tunis 2022.
“There are not too much tournaments right now and I think the more you play the better. “
Asked about best moment at the European’s so far, Kristian could not pick only one, he listed all his medals at the Europeans in singles and in Doubles.
