Alexis Lebrun Advances to WTT Champions semi-Finals, Fueled by Home Crowd Support
The French table tennis star, Alexis Lebrun, is one step closer to claiming the title at the WTT Champions tournament in Montpellier after a decisive quarter-final victory against Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic. Lebrun’s performance, punctuated by a 4-2 win, was considerably bolstered by the keen support of the home crowd.
Lebrun’s momentum in the tournament began in the round of 16, where he dramatically saved four match points against japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, ultimately winning in a thrilling five-set match (3-2). Following that victory, the 22-year-old from Montpellier connected wiht the energized audience, a scene that foreshadowed the electric atmosphere of his quarter-final bout.
The exceptional atmosphere at the South of France Arena was noted even before Lebrun’s match, with a senior official highlighting the positive energy contributed by the French public to Midi-Free. This energy proved crucial as Lebrun faced Jorgic, the world No. 10, on Saturday, November 1st.
“The atmosphere inside is unbelievable. The public contributes to it. We certainly know that the French public always gives a lot of positive energy,” the official stated. The Montpellier crowd responded, raising their voices to propel Lebrun through an intense battle.
Lebrun himself acknowledged the impact of the crowd, stating, “For us French, it’s crazy!” He also reflected on his improved performance compared to his previous match. “It was more in control than yesterday,when it was total nonsense. I managed to play my match well. It’s a real step in my journey,” he shared with RMC Sport.He pinpointed winning the second set as a turning point,allowing him to regain control and capitalize on the fervent support.
Aware of the crowd’s assistance, particularly during a challenging moment in the fifth set, Lebrun emphasized their importance. “We have the best audience in the world. The goal was to profit,” he said.
Lebrun now faces a significant challenge in the semi-finals on Sunday at 1:15 p.m., going up against the tournament favorite, Truls Moregard. He aims to continue the success of his brother, Félix Lebrun, who won the title at last year’s event.
News Report Summary:
Who: Alexis Lebrun, a French table tennis player, defeated Darko Jorgic of Slovenia.
What: Lebrun won his quarter-final match at the WTT Champions tournament in Montpellier, France, with a score of 4-2.
Why: Lebrun’s victory was significantly aided by the enthusiastic support of the home crowd, which he acknowledged as a crucial factor in his performance. He had previously overcome a challenging round of 16 match, saving four match points against Tomokazu Harimoto.
how did it end?: Lebrun secured the win against Jorgic, advancing to the semi-finals where he will face tournament favorite Truls Moregard on Sunday. He hopes to follow in his brother Félix Lebrun’s footsteps, who won the tournament last year.
