Tom Jarvis saved two match points as he beat a higher-ranked player from the host nation on day one of the Swedish Open.
The 17-year-old was up against Hampus Soderlund in his first group match in the men’s singles. His opponent, at No 211 in the world, is 88 places higher than Jarvis.
It went the distance as Jarvis led 1-0, trailed 2-1, led 3-2 and was pegged back to 3-3 before finally prevailing 12-10 in the decider.
His other group match is tomorrow against world No 43 Gao Ning of Singapore.
David McBeath and Andrew Baggaley also won their first group matches. Paul Drinkhall and Liam Pitchford begin their campaigns tomorrow.
In the women’s singles, Tin-Tin Ho beat the world No 147 Li Ching Wan of Hong Kong in her first group match. Her opponent is ranked 17 places above her in the world.
However, Jarvis and Ho were both beaten in the first round of their respective under-21 events, Ho by the world No 94 and Jarvis by a player ranked 205.
Results
Men’s Singles
Qualifying Group 1
David McBeath bt Krisztian Nagy (HUN) 4-2 (11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6)
Group 12
Tom Jarvis bt Hampus Soderlund (SWE) 4-3 (11-7, 6-11, 15-17, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10)
Group 32
Andrew Baggaley bt Miikka O’Connor (FIN) 4-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4)
Women’s Singles
Qualifying Group 7
Tin-Tin Ho bt Li Ching Wan (HKG) 4-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6)
Under-21 Men’s Singles
Round of 32
Sun Chia-Hung (TPE) bt Tom Jarvis 3-1 (14-12, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3)
Under-21 Women’s Singles
Round of 32
Wang Yidi (CHN) bt Tin-Tin Ho 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-2)