2024-10-27 19:37:00
This Sunday, Félix Lebrun took a step forward in the history of Ping, becoming the first European to win a WTT Champions at the end of an exceptional journey.
When it’s not one, it’s the other. Last week we were buzzing about the exploits of the eldest of the Lebrun brothers. Alexis Lebrun had just been crowned European champion after his victory in the final against the German Duda.
This Sunday his little brother Félix will answer him. The 7th player in the world won at home in Hérault at the WTT Champions in Montpellier against the Japanese Tomokazu Harimoto (11-7, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4). An important feat given that he is the first Frenchman to win a tournament of this kind. Better yet, he is the first European in history to win in this category.
A debut against a compatriot
The European doubles champion began his competition against his compatriot and partner of the French team with which he won the bronze medal this summer at the Paris Olympics Simon Gauzy (39th). A three set victory despite a good battle 11-8, 11-9, 12-10.
Revanchard, a bronze medalist at the last Olympics, then offered himself the scalp of one of his former tormentors. In the round of 16, transported by the warm atmosphere of the Montpellier Arena, he defeated the Chinese Peng Xiang in four sets (11-3, 12-10, 5-11, 11-7).
A first success against his brother
In the quarterfinals of the first WTT tournament in France, the Lebrun brothers gave us a clash of legends and legendary points. And among these points there is one “extraordinary”during a hard-fought third set (16-14), where they exchanged more than twenty shots, making the entire room explode when Félix finally won while Alexis defended himself even after falling to the ground.
“The point is completely crazy, he (Alexis) brings everything back, then he does a bit of a joke, jumps in all directions”laughed Félix Lebrun, who subsequently won the round. “At the end we both looked at each other and laughed, normally these are points that only happen in training”Alexis said for her part.
A fratricidal duel concluded in four sets by cadet Félix 11-6, 7-11, 16-14, 11-9. First success of the little ones over the big ones, in 2024, Alexis Lebrun remained at two victories, in the quarter-finals of the European Top 16 (4-2 victory) in Montreux in January, and in the final of the French championships, again in Montpellier (4 -2).
Last two games for history
“He who doesn’t jump is not Lebrun”rocked this semi-final. The Ultra Lebrun Collective with the sweet nickname of «CUL» they sang it in chorus throughout the meeting. And for good reason, the pace was damn high, Félix Lebrun had to take down the mountain Lin Shidong to get a place in the final. The Chinese world number 2 has had a perfect run so far.
But facing the French in front of their home crowd, the scenario went to the locals’ advantage, winning four sets to zero: 14-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3. Very calm after the exploit already focused on the next deadline: “There is still a match to be played, we will all do it together, we will aim for this title.”
In the final, Tomokasu Harimoto placed 8th in the world. Without trembling, the 7th in the world offered a perfect performance to win in four sets (11-7, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4) and enter a little more into the history of his sport.
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