In a thrilling upset at the WTT Champions tournament in Montpellier, French table tennis star Simon Gauzy has dethroned the defending champion, Félix Lebrun. The highly anticipated match, a rematch of last year’s encounter, saw Gauzy emerge victorious in a hard-fought battle, ending Lebrun’s reign as Montpellier champion.
gauzy, the 31-year-old from Toulouse and world No. 17, navigated a challenging path to reach the round of 16, including a decisive 3-1 victory over fellow Frenchman Lilian Bardet.This set the stage for a compelling showdown against the 19-year-old prodigy, Félix Lebrun, who had previously defeated Gauzy 3-0 in the first round of the same tournament the previous year.
A Clash of Titans
Despite a strong start from Lebrun, who took the first set 11-4, Gauzy demonstrated remarkable resilience. The match intensified in the second set, with Gauzy leveling the score at 1-1. The third set was a nail-biter,featuring an extraordinary rally where Gauzy,positioned several feet behind the table,managed to return eight consecutive attacks from Lebrun before ultimately losing the set 12-10. This sensational point showcased Gauzy’s amazing defensive skills and determination.
The momentum shifted in Gauzy’s favor as he secured the fourth set, setting up a dramatic fifth and deciding game. Although Lebrun initially took the first two points, Gauzy mounted a comeback, earning five match points. He converted the first, clinching a memorable victory.
“It took me eight games to beat him. It’s a source of pride to beat a player as exceptional as him. He’s one of the guys who gave me the most trouble in my entire career.”
Simon Gauzy
Gauzy expressed his disappointment that two French players were eliminated so early in the tournament but emphasized the necessity of his victory. Félix is fantastic but at some point I had to be able to win that match and play at least once again in front of you against, well, a foreigner.
he stated.
Looking ahead, gauzy is scheduled to face Alexis lebrun, Félix’s brother, in the round of 16. The match is set to take place around 8:50 p.m. on Friday at the Sud de France Arena. In another exciting matchup, French player prithika Pavade will compete against Miwa Harimoto, the world No.7 and sister of world No. 4 Tomokazu Harimoto.
Worth a look
