Stars of the French table tennis championship, which they are playing at home this weekend in Montpellier, the Lebrun brothers have already distinguished themselves this Saturday. Before battling it out in singles, where they will be the two favorites for the title, Alexis and Félix actually teamed up in the doubles tournament. Which they brilliantly won, disposing of the pair Florian Bourrassaud-Esteban Dorr in a tighter final than expected (7-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6).
The Lebrun brothers are French doubles champions!
Beautiful victory for the 6th world pair against Bourrassaud – Dorr.
The French championships can be followed throughout the weekend on L’Équipe pic.twitter.com/lW00sno1Ko— THE TEAM (@lequipe) March 23, 2024
Each on their own, the Lebruns had already won a national doubles title: in 2022 for Félix, then associated with Laurent Cova, and in 2021 for Alexis, with Esteban Dorr, one of his opponents in the final. But this is the first time that the siblings have won a title together. However, they had to look for it: while they had wandered through their first rounds, not losing a single game along the way, they were jostled during the final.
A difficult start to the final
Often a little short, having difficulty adjusting their sights, the two best French players quickly found themselves trailing, conceding the first game (7-11). And if they then easily pocketed the second (11-4), they were surprised again in the third (9-11), even though they had done the hardest part by coming back to 8-8. Fairer in the hot moments, exulting on each point won, they nevertheless retained their nerve to equalize (11-8). Before finally winning in a tense fifth round (11-6), then launching a clapping with their audience.
On Sunday, both players will this time have the opportunity to become French singles champions. Double title holder, Alexis (22nd player in the world) was relatively spared by the draw, since he would avoid Simon Gauzy, the French No. 3 and 30th player in the world, in the semi-final. In great shape and recently entered the top 5 in the world, it is his younger brother Félix, only 17 years old, who will have the most difficult path to the title. He will be in the quarter-finals this Saturday evening from 7 p.m.
