Tom Jarvis and Anna Hursey both exited the Europe Smash in Sweden in the second qualifying round of their respective singles events.

It leaves only Liam Pitchford as the only GB interest in the draw and he will face an as-yet-undecided qualifier in the round of 64 – the match is scheduled for 5.35pm UK time on Sunday on Table 3.

On paper, Jarvis (WR 84) was hotly fancied against Simon Berglund, ranked at No 612. But Berglund had defeated Csaba Andras (WR 113) of Hungary in the first qualifying round and enjoyed home support in the Malmo Arena – and had the added advantage of knowing Jarvis from the Englishman’s years living and training in Sweden.

The first game being tight and lengthy was perhaps predictable, Jarvis unable to take two game points and then saving one before getting the game on the board 14-12.

Berglund came from 4-0 down to win the second 11-6, but Jarvis made almost all the running in the third, taking it 11-7.

The fourth was nicely balanced at 8-8 but Berglund won the next three points to take the game to a decider.

Jarvis changed ends with a 5-0 advantage, but was pegged back to 7-7. He then led 9-7 only for the Swede to get on a roll and win the next four points to take the match and move into the final qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Hursey (WR 71) was defeated in the second qualifying round of the Women’s Singles by Margaryta Pesotska of Ukraine.

Pesotska (WR 99) pulled clear from 5-5 to 9-6 in the first and although Hursey won the next two points, her opponent closed out the game 11-8).

The second was similar but in Hursey’s favour as she opened a lead from 5-5 and won it 11-7, but Pesotska was never behind in the third and three points in a row from 6-6 turned it her way.

The Ukrainian was also never behind in the fourth, though she had a nervy moment as Hursey closed from 8-3 down to 8-7. But Pesotska stayed ahead and won it 11-9 to move into the final qualifying round.

Results

Men’s Singles
Qualifying round 2
Simon Berg(SWE) bt Tom Jarvis 3-2 (12-14, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9)

Women’s Singles
Qualifying round 2
Margaryta Pesotska (UKR) bt Anna Hursey 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9)