Routine Emil Andersson, two-time medalist in the Paralympic Games, impressively turned the match around against 18-year-old Croatian Borna Zohil.
The 31-year-old Swede had a 4–1 record in head-to-head matches against the teenager, but got off to a nightmare start and lost the first two sets with 5–11, 4–11.
But then Andersson turned it around.
He won the third set with 11–8 and in the fourth, the Swede won seven straight points and turned the deficit into a win with 11–8.
In the deciding set, the experienced Swede was cooler and managed to win clearly with 11–6.
Anja Händén would have secured a medal with a win, as a semifinal spot means at least a shared bronze.
But she also got off to a nightmare start, as Bruna Alexandre was superior in the match opening and took the first two sets with 11–4, 11–2.
But the 20-year-old Händén, who normally plays with Halmstad in the table tennis league, came back and won the third set after a strong performance with 11–6.
In the fourth set, the Swede went up 3–0, but after a Brazilian timeout, it turned around. Bruna Alexandre took eight straight points and managed to close out the match by winning 11–4.
The 29-year-old Alexandre played in the Olympic Games earlier this summer and has the goal of taking gold in the Paralympic Games.
Anja Händén made her debut in the Paralympic Games and won a match in the singles tournament, over Chinese player Hou Chunxiao.
