Anton Källberg Triumphs in Singapore Smash Opener, Advances to face Maharu Yoshimura
In a thrilling opening match at this year’s first Singapore Smash,Sweden’s Anton Källberg secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory against 18-year-old Izaac Quek.The 27-year-old Swedish star, currently ranked 16th in the world, showcased his resilience adn skill in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Källberg’s journey to victory wasn’t without its challenges. The young Singaporean, Quek, buoyed by the support of his home crowd, pushed the seasoned Swede to his limits. “The weather is completely different at home in Sweden in winter. Both have their charm, but I sweated a lot,” Källberg remarked, highlighting the intense conditions in the heated hall.
The match began with Källberg making a few uncharacteristic errors, including edge hits on his racket. Though, he quickly regained composure to clinch the first set 11–9. The second set saw a dip in his performance, as Quek dominated with an impressive 11–4 win, leveling the score.
The third set was a turning point. Källberg found himself trailing 1-3 but staged a remarkable comeback, sailing to a 9-4 lead before sealing the set 11-8. The final set was a display of his determination, as he closed out the match with an 11–7 victory.With this win, Källberg advances to the second round, where he will face Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura,ranked 37th in the world. The two have met before, and Källberg is drawing on those past encounters to prepare. “It was a while ago, but I still remember a little from the matches, so I have to dig out what I remember to use,” he shared.
Key Match Highlights
| Set | Score | Key Moments |
|———|———–|——————|
| 1 | 11–9 | Källberg overcomes early errors |
| 2 | 4–11 | Quek dominates with home crowd support |
| 3 | 11–8 | Källberg stages a comeback |
| 4 | 11–7 | Källberg seals the victory |
As the Singapore Smash continues, all eyes will be on Källberg as he aims to make a deep run in the tournament. Will he overcome Yoshimura and continue his quest for glory? Stay tuned for more updates and live coverage.
For fans eager to follow the action, don’t miss the chance to watch the matches live and support your favorite players. The stakes are high, and the competition is fiercer than ever.
