Indian table tennis player Manav Thakkar produced a gritty and encouraging performance before bowing out in the Round of 16 against World No.5 Truls Moregard of Sweden, losing 1–3 in a closely contested encounter on Friday evening.
Ranked 34 in the world, Thakkar pushed the higher-ranked Moregard for long stretches, particularly in a dramatic fourth game that swung on fine margins and ultimately defined the match.
The final scoreline read 4–11, 11–9, 8–11, 12–14 in favour of the Swedish star, but those numbers only partially reflect the quality of resistance shown by the Indian. For long phases, Thakkar matched Moregard rally for rally, showing composure, tactical clarity and the ability to dictate points against one of the most consistent performers on the international circuit.
Moregard began strongly, asserting control early in the opening game. Using his sharp backhand and early timing off the bounce, the Swede raced to a commanding lead and closed out the first game 11–4. Thakkar struggled initially to settle into the rhythm, with Moregard repeatedly forcing errors through depth and variation. It was a reminder of the gap that still exists at the very top of the game, especially in the opening exchanges where elite players tend to pounce.
However, the Indian responded admirably in the second game. Thakkar made subtle but important adjustments, choosing to extend rallies and vary placement rather than looking for outright winners. His serve and third-ball patterns improved significantly, and he began to draw errors from Moregard by targeting the wide forehand. The game remained tight throughout, but Thakkar held his nerve in the closing stages to take it 11–9, leveling the match and signaling that he was very much in the contest.
The third game proved pivotal. Moregard, showing why he is among the world’s top five, raised his intensity and tightened his margins. Thakkar stayed competitive and traded points until the mid-phase, but a short burst of precision from the Swede tilted the balance. Moregard closed it out 11–8, reclaiming the lead at 2–1 and putting pressure back on the Indian heading into what would become a dramatic fourth game.
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What followed was arguably the most impressive phase of Thakkar’s match. The Indian raced to a 9–4 lead in the fourth game, dominating rallies with confident counter-topspin and excellent placement into the corners. For a moment, it looked as though the contest was heading into a deciding fifth game. Thakkar earned multiple game points and was within touching distance of extending the match.
But elite sport often turns on moments of composure under extreme pressure, and this was where Moregard’s experience came to the fore. Facing game point, the Swede refused to panic. He slowed the tempo, trusted his patterns, and clawed his way back point by point. The game went into deuce, with both players trading tense rallies, service changes, and match-point situations. Thakkar had chances, but Moregard’s defensive retrievals and ability to turn defense into attack proved decisive. Eventually, the Swede sealed the game 14–12, ending the contest after a fiercely contested final exchange.
While the loss will sting for Thakkar, particularly given how close he came in the fourth game, the performance itself offered several positives. Competing toe-to-toe with a World No. 5 player over four games, and being within a few points of forcing a decider, underlined Thakkar’s growing belief and maturity at this level. His ability to bounce back after a one-sided first game, adapt tactically, and sustain pressure against one of the world’s best is a strong indicator of progress.
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For Indian table tennis, matches like these are crucial. They may not always end in victories, but they provide valuable exposure to the intensity and precision required at the very top. Thakkar’s run to the Round of 16 and his performance against Moregard reinforce his position as one of India’s leading singles players on the international stage.
As the season progresses, the focus for Thakkar will be on converting such performances into wins against higher-ranked opponents. The margins are clearly narrowing. On another day, with one or two points going his way in that fourth game, the narrative could have been very different. For now, this was a defeat, but one that came with clear signs of growth, resilience, and the belief that Manav Thakkar belongs in matches of this level.
