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Alexis Lebrun Carries French Hopes, Advances to Semis in thrilling European Championship Run
October 26, 2023
The roar of the crowd at the Sud de France arena in Montpellier reached a fever pitch late Saturday night as local hero Alexis Lebrun delivered a performance worthy of the 6,500 passionate spectators. After a stunning upset in the round of 16 where he clawed back from the brink,saving four match points against the world’s 4th-ranked player,Tomokazu harimoto,the 2024 European champion has once again proven his mettle. Lebrun, the 22-year-old phenom, secured his spot in the semifinals by defeating Slovenia’s darko Jorgic in a hard-fought 4-2 victory.
The match against Jorgic, the world’s 10th-ranked player, wasn’t without its early drama. lebrun found himself in a precarious position, trailing in the early stages. Though, demonstrating the resilience that has become his trademark, he mounted a crucial five-point run in the second game to regain momentum. Despite a few moments of hesitation as he approached the finish line, Lebrun managed to level the match at one set apiece. With his brother, Félix, watching from the sidelines, the “Alexis machine” was officially in motion, powering towards the final four.
France’s Last Stand in Montpellier
The young French star,currently ranked 13th globally,showed no signs of nerves in the third set,maintaining his composure. He then clinched a spectacular rally to take the fourth game, a pivotal moment that signaled a definitive shift in the match’s momentum.From there, key points consistently fell into Lebrun’s favor. After a brief stumble in an otherwise dominant fifth set, and a speedy change of his signature jersey, Lebrun sealed the victory in the sixth set with a scoreline of 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4. This triumph against a top-10 opponent was a testament to an exceptional level of play,met with an electrifying atmosphere from the home crowd.
Lebrun’s next challenge in the semifinals will be against Sweden’s Truls moregard. This marks a notable achievement, as Lebrun has now matched his best performance from the previous year. Interestingly, his brother Félix had previously eliminated Moregard at this same stage of the competition (3-1) en route to reaching the finals last year. This week, Alexis Lebrun stands as the sole French contender in Montpellier. Earlier on Saturday, Simon Gauzy’s impressive run was cut short by Japan’s Sora Matsushima, who won 4-1. This came just two days after Gauzy’s own remarkable upset victory over Félix Lebrun in the round of 16 (3-2).
What’s Next for Lebrun and French Table Tennis?
Alexis Lebrun’s journey to the semifinals is more than just a personal triumph; it’s a beacon of hope for French table tennis. His ability to perform under immense pressure, especially on home soil, mirrors the clutch performances seen from American athletes in high-stakes events like the Super Bowl or the NBA finals. The question now is whether Lebrun can continue this momentum against Moregard and perhaps reach the finals. His tactical prowess and mental fortitude will be put to the ultimate test.
Fans will be eager to see if Lebrun can replicate the success
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