Pune, Jun 25 (PTI) Swedish paddler Kristian Karlsson believes that Indian table tennis players have become more competitive now and their performance in the Commonwealth Games has increased their motivation.

"Most Indian players have upped their game and improved a lot this year and CWG performance has brought their motivation level up which reflects in their good performance in UTT (Ultimate Table Tennis league) too," Karlsson, who is World no 17, was quoted as saying in a release issued by UTT franchise Maharashtra United.

"They (Indian players) have turned more competitive than earlier,"said Karlsson, who plays for Maharashtra United in the UTT.

Karlsson, who bagged a silver medal at the 2012 European Championships in men's doubles, also heaped praise on young Indian paddler Sanil Shetty saying he one of the best players in the country.

"The game against Sanil was a tough one as he is one of the best Indian players and playing against him (in tie 1 in UTT) in front of Indian supporters was challenging too," Karlsson said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)