RENO, Nev. – Jesper Svensson said he isn’t known as much of a grinder on the PBA Tour, but that’s exactly what he did to go undefeated and earn the top seed at the 2021 USBC Masters.

Svensson grinded his way to a 6-0 record in the double elimination bracket, winning with series as low as 574 in the three games, total pins format at the National Bowling Stadium.

In his final match Saturday afternoon, he beat fellow European Thomas Larsen for the top seed, 628-579, in another match where he grinded his way to a win.

“I got a little lucky at times, but that’s what you need to get through all these matches undefeated,” Svensson said. “I’m not really known as a good grinder, so my first TV show at the USBC event feels great.”

Along the way, Svensson defeated Zac Tackett (597-556), Andrew Anderson (620-609), Anthony Simonsen (682-574), EJ Tackett (574-563), Spencer Robarge (647-597) and then Larsen.

Svensson will need to win just one game on Sunday’s show to claim his second career major title. The finals air at 2 p.m. Eastern live on FS1 (U.S.) and FloBowling (international).

Larsen earned the second seed by virtue of his loss to Svensson in the final match of the winners bracket. The other three players who made it onto the show came out of the final elimination match of the bracket.

The four remaining players bowled a three-game match with the lowest score eliminated. Jason Sterner earned the third seed with 708, Chris Via got the fourth seed with 691 and 18-year-old amateur Spencer Robarge got the fifth seed with 681.

That final match was filled with drama at the end as Sam Cooley had a chance to knock Robarge off the show with a double but instead stuffed a four pin on his first shot in the 10th frame. Cooley finished fourth in that match and sixth overall with 674.

Robarge could have locked up a spot on the show himself with a double in the final frame. He pulled his first shot badly and carried a Brooklyn strike. He pulled the next shot through the face for a split, giving Cooley a chance.

Cooley was unable to take advantage, however, and was eliminated.