David McBeath is relishing the chance to take on some of the best table tennis players in the world at the Swedish Open.

The 22-year-old player from Rownhams is playing singles and doubles at the event in Stockholm, which starts this Wednesday, writes PAUL SIMPSON.

The event, the final one on the ITTF World Tour before the year-end Grand Finals in December, has attracted a strong entry, with six of the world’s top ten in action – including five players from China.

Although world No 325 McBeath, pictured above, cannot qualify for the Grand Finals, he would love nothing more than to qualify from the groups and have the chance to land a plum draw in the knockout stages.

“It must be the strongest tournament of the year outside of the world championships, because everyone is trying to qualify for the Grand Finals,” he said.

“But the good thing is it gives everyone the chance to play against the best. I’m really excited to be playing at such a big event.

“I’ll have to go through the qualifying stages – the aim is to get to the main draw and then see how I can go.”

McBeath is based in Germany, where he plays for Ruhrstadt Herne in the Bundesliga’s second division.

He said: “I’ve been training quite well but I’ve been ill in the last week and have only just overcome that. Apart from that, I’m feeling good.

“I’ve not played as well as I would have liked in the league, although I’m playing a slightly higher standard than last year, and I’ll be looking to do something big in Sweden to make up for that.”

McBeath was beaten in a Bundesliga match earlier this season by England Commonwealth Games player Sam Walker – who will be his doubles partner in Sweden.

“We’ve got a good chance in the doubles. I’ve been playing with and against Sam since I was 14 or 15 and we’ve got similar styles.”