REPLAY. Table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympics: Félix Lebrun could do nothing against Fan Zhendong and lost in the semi-final

Félix Lebrun faces Fan Zhendong for a place in the final. KMSP – CNOSF

Félix Lebrun logically lost to Fan Zhendong 4 to 0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5) this Friday, August 2 in the semi-final of the table tennis tournament of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, having been unable to do anything against a Chinese player who was simply stronger.

What you need to know

Montpellier's Félix Lebrun faces China's Fan Zhendong for a place in the final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The match will start at 11 a.m. at the Arena Paris Sud 4.

In the quarter-finals, Lebrun beat Taiwan's Yun Ju Lin (world number 8) by a score of 4 to 3. For his part, Fan Zhendong also had to go through a tough match against Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto (9th), whom he beat 4 to 3

The two men have faced each other only once in April 2023 with a victory for the Chinese (3-0), whom Alexis Lebrun had beaten a few days earlier.

Félix Lebrun still in contention for a medal

At 17, Félix Lebrun can still believe in an incredible bronze medal at his first Olympic Games. He will face Sunday at 1:30 p.m., the loser of the other semi-final between Brazilian Hugo Calderano and Swede Truls Moregard who will face off at 2:30 p.m. this Friday.

ZHENDONG IN THE FINAL OF THE JOINS

China's Fan Zhendong qualifies for the final of the Olympic Games by beating Félix Lebrun. The Montpellier player could do nothing against a world number 4 who was simply above the rest this Friday, winning 4-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5).

Zhendong breaks away again

The end is near for Félix Lebrun… The Frenchman is now trailing 8 to 4 in this fourth round. The Chinese is getting closer to the Olympic final against a Lebrun frustrated by the turn of events.

Equality in this fourth set

After a good start from Lebrun, Zhendong manages to equalize at 3-3 on a new magnificent forehand counter.

Lebrun trailing 3-0

Despite a good start to the set, Félix Lebrun is overtaken by a Chinese player who is above the rest for the moment in this encounter, and who leads 3-0 on a score of 11-7.

Impassable Zhendong

Félix Lebrun may be multiplying his blows, but the Chinese Fan Zhendong is unbeatable and only counters the Frenchman. He leads 9-5 in this third set.

Zhendong gets back in front

Despite Félix Lebrun's great attacks, the Frenchman is countered each time by the Chinese. The score is 5-4 in his favor, timeout taken by the Montpellier native.

Lebrun takes the lead in this third set!

Félix Lebrun recovers in this third set. He now leads 4 to 1 against the Chinese.

2-0 for Zhendong

Despite the heated exchanges between the two men, the Chinese player concludes the point each time with a winning shot or one that causes the Frenchman to make a mistake. Zhendong now leads two sets to zero.

Zhendong takes the lead again

After several draws until 6-6, Zhendong takes back a two-point lead thanks to two great accelerations on his forehand. 8-6 Zhendong.

Equality again!

Thanks to a winning forehand and two excellent returns, Félix Lebrun equalizes at 4-4.

Lebrun led at the start of the second set

The Frenchman is unable to return the Chinese's serve and is then countered on his serve. Zhendong leads 4-1.

First set Zhendong

Despite having equalized at 8-8, Félix Lebrun could do nothing at the end of the first set against the Chinese's attacks. The world No. 4 leads 1-0 against the Montpellier player.

Lebrun is back!

The dynamics are exchanged at the start of the match! Félix Lebrun equalizes at 8-8.

Zhendong accelerates

The Chinese has regained the upper hand in this first set and now leads 8 to 5.

Lebrun takes the lead again!

Félix Lebrun recovers in this first set with points won thanks to his forehand. Montpellier's player takes the lead again, 5 to 4!

Zhendong leads in the first set

The Chinese started the match better with a 4-1 by Zhendong against Lebrun.

Here we go!

The match between the Chinese and the French has just started!

The two players make their entrance!

In front of the overheated crowd of the Arena Paris Sud 4, Félix Lebrun and Fan Zhendong made their entrance. More than 6,600 people are present this Friday.

Félix Lebrun under the microscope

Read also: Félix Lebrun qualified for the semi-finals of the Olympics: the tale of "Féfé", French table tennis prodigy at the Paris 2024 Olympics

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The practical guide

The match between the Héraultais and the Chinese is scheduled at the Arena Paris Sud 4, here is at what time and on which channel to follow the meeting between Lebrun and Zhendong.

A first since 1992 ?

In the event of a victory against the Chinese, Félix Lebrun would become the first Frenchman to reach an Olympic final since the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, after the silver medal won by Jean-Philippe Gatien from Alès.

Start of live

Hello everyone and welcome to this live commentary of the table tennis semi-final between the Frenchman Félix Lebrun and the Chineseman Fan Zhendong, at the Paris 2024 Olympics.