Table tennis, Saudi Smash: Alexis Lebrun plays to scare himself but qualifies for the round of 16

Félix Lebrun, here in Montpellier, had a new round at Saudi Smash. Free Midi – DORIAN CAYUELA

Félix Lebrun faced German Benedikt Duda this Tuesday May 7 in the second round of the Saudi Smash. The Montpellier player was scared but he qualified for the round of 16.

Only Frenchman still in the running after the eliminations in the first round of Alexis Lebrun and Simon Gauzy, Félix Lebrun(5th in the world) faced the German Benedikt Duda (46th in the world) in the round of 16 of the Saudi Smash, one of the biggest tournaments of the season.

The first set is a formality for the 17-year-old from Montpellier (11-6). But the next two were largely won by the German left-hander (11-7, 11-1). Duda, 30, seemed to gain the upper hand tactically. Félix struggled to find solutions.

In the fourth set, Félix got back into action. More precision, alternation and above all a rediscovered attacking game. Result, round postponed 11-4.

WTT Saudi Smash
1/16ème de finale
Félix Lebrun s'en sort à la belle et se qualifie pour les 8ème de finale ou il affrontera demain soir Tomokazu HARIMOTO 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/C1ZMnyU61v

— Actu Ping 🏓 (@actu_ping) May 7, 2024

Harimoto in 8th

In the decisive set, the tension rose a notch despite a very empty room, Saudi Arabia not really being known for its taste for ping. But the French phenomenon asserted its superiority and won 11-5 on its third match point. Final score: 3 sets to 2.

The 8th final is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. Félix Lebrun will face the Japanese Tomozaku Harimoto.

The day before, world number 3 and double Olympic champion Ma Long was knocked out by South Korean Woojin Jang (3-0). The latter could cross paths with the Frenchman in the quarter-final.