Tunis, Tunisia – March 28, 2026 – Seventeen-year-old Flavien Coton continued his impressive run at the WTT Contender Tunis, securing a spot in the semifinals on Saturday. The top seed dispatched Croatia’s Andrej Gacina in straight sets, while the French duo of Esteban Dorr and Florian Bourrassaud will compete for the doubles title on Sunday.
Coton, currently ranked 26th in the world, demonstrated his dominance over Gacina with a decisive victory (11-5, 11-3, 11-8). The young Frenchman has been in strong form throughout the tournament, building on a quarterfinal win against compatriot Jules Rolland. This semifinal appearance marks another step forward for Coton, who is quickly establishing himself as a rising star in the world of table tennis.
The match against Gacina was a display of Coton’s all-around game. He started strong, taking an early lead in the first set – a set he had previously lost in earlier rounds of the tournament – relying on a consistent and effective serve. He quickly closed out the first game 11-5, leaving little room for his opponent. The second game was even more one-sided, with Coton securing a swift 11-3 victory. While Gacina offered slightly more resistance in the third, Coton maintained control, finishing the game 11-8 to complete the sweep.
Coton’s next challenge will be Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura (ranked 126th globally) in the semifinals. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 18:45 local time (UTC+1) and will be streamed live on L’Équipe’s platform. For fans following from other time zones, that translates to 17:45 GMT. This match presents a significant opportunity for Coton to reach the final and contend for the title in Tunis.
Beyond the singles competition, France similarly enjoyed success in the men’s doubles event. Esteban Dorr and Florian Bourrassaud advanced to the final after a hard-fought victory over Turkey’s Gunduz and Yigenler. The French pair prevailed with scores of 11-9, 11-7, and 15-13 in a closely contested semifinal match.
Dorr and Bourrassaud will now face a tough test in the final against the Indian duo of Shah and Desai. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, promising an exciting conclusion to the doubles tournament. The outcome will undoubtedly be a highlight for both teams as they compete for the WTT Contender Tunis title.
The WTT Contender Tunis has showcased a high level of competition, with players from around the globe vying for ranking points and valuable experience. Coton’s performance has been particularly noteworthy, demonstrating the potential of France’s next generation of table tennis stars. The tournament continues to draw attention to the growing popularity of the sport in North Africa and beyond.
For those following the action, live updates and results can be found on the official WTT website and L’Équipe’s coverage. The semifinals and final promise to deliver thrilling moments as the world’s top table tennis players battle for supremacy in Tunis.
Next up for Flavien Coton is his semifinal match against Maharu Yoshimura on Saturday evening. Fans can tune in to L’Équipe Live to watch the action unfold and see if the young Frenchman can continue his impressive run towards the final.
