Frenchman Félix Lebrun defeated Taiwanese Lin Yun-ju (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6), ranked 8th in the world and an Olympic medallist, to qualify for the semi-finals of table tennis, this Thursday, August 1st at the Arena Paris Sud. Tomorrow, he will challenge Chinese Fan Zhendong, the big favorite for the Olympic title.
4 mins
From our special correspondent at the Arena Paris Sud,
At just 17 years old, he is taking French table tennis to new heights. Frenchman Félix Lebrun qualified for the semi-finals of the Olympic tournament after a stunning match against the world number 8 and Taiwanese Olympic medallist Lin Yun-ju (4-3).
The last French representative after the elimination of his big brother Alexis Lebrun in the round of 16, Félix Lebrun started his match better than his opponent, tense in the face of the crazy atmosphere of a completely packed room. But the Taiwanese player quickly regained his senses and took the measure of his opponent from the 2nd set. The two table tennis players then traded blows, winning each set in turn until the Taiwanese player finally cracked against the “Féfé” phenomenon in the last set.
” It’s incredible, it’s a huge thrill. The crowd has been great since the start of the competition. It’s huge to be in the semi-finals, to know that I still have two matches to play in any case in this room with an atmosphere like that. “, declared the young French number one, with a smile on his lips, after his match.
” I find it absolutely crazy. I felt he was dominated for a little while in the match, and to manage to turn the match around and find new solutions with the pressure of the audience in the quarter-finals, it’s incredible. “, analyzed his big brother Alexis. His coach, Nathanaël Molin, remained more measured without trivializing his performance: ” It didn’t surprise me, but it’s still extraordinary. To have this level of mental resistance, it’s so him. “.
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The Lebrun phenomenon continues
With this victory, Felix Lebrun became the first French table tennis player to reach the Olympic semi-final since Jean-Philippe Gatien in 1992. But if he wants to surpass him and win gold, the young Frenchman will have to take down the Chinese Fan Zhendong, world number 4 and the main favourite for the Olympic title since the surprise elimination of his compatriot Wang Chuqin, world number one.
To achieve this, he will be able to rely without any problem on the “Lebrun-mania” which never ceases to make the stands of the Arena Paris Sud tremble. Since the competition started, I can feel it in the room. I try not to be on my phone too much so as not to lose my concentration, but I feel it growing, it’s gaining momentum. There are a lot of sports legends who came to watch my match yesterday, it’s great for ping pong ” he confided.
Since the start of the Olympics, several world sports figures have come to admire the enthusiasm generated by the performances of the young French table tennis player. Starting with Tyrese Haliburton, player of the India Pacers and member of the American basketball team for these 2024 Olympics, who praised the performances of the siblings. Zinédine Zidane also made the trip yesterday to attend his round of 16 victory against the six-time German Olympic medalist Dimitrij Ovtcharov.
” I’ve already played in China with more people in the room, but it wasn’t the same atmosphere. Here, in France, it’s on fire. Since I’ve been going, it’s a huge boost. It’s especially my opponent who feels the pressure every time he loses a point. “, joked Felix.
His brother Alexis remains confident and expects a high-level clash: ” He will have to find his way to beat him, but he really has the ability. We will have the right to a fantastic match that can remain in the history of ping pong. “And perhaps, at the end, a first French medal for table tennis in six editions of the Olympic Games.
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