VIDEO. Félix Lebrun beats Simon Gauzy in an exceptional match to be the first to qualify for the final of the French Table Tennis Championships

Félix Lebrun was hot but it will be a good final. FREE NOON – Dorian Cayuela

Félix Lebrun won at the end of the first semi-final of the French table tennis championships, Sunday March 24 at the FDI Stadium in Montpellier, against his Blues teammate Simon Gauzy (11 -7, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9).

Two of the best French players in semi-final of the French table tennis championships, it could only cause sparks.

After an exceptional level fight ended after seven sets, Félix Lebrun qualified for the final, at home in Montpellier, against Simon Gauzy who came very close to beating the world number five.

For a possible first title of individual French champion, the Montpellier native will face his brother Alexis or Can Akkuzu, who will face each other a little later during the second semi-final.

Quelle fin de match ! Mené 8-5, Felix Lebrun s'en sort et remporte la dernière manche 11-9 !

Le 5e joueur mondial a eu chaud, Simon Gauzy semble marqué par cette défaite. pic.twitter.com/TSqkP5q3mc

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) March 24, 2024

Gauzy saves four match points

After leading 1-0 in this semi-final (11-7), Félix Lebrun first saw the 2013, 2020 and 2021 French champion come back to the level (7-11) in a match where we quickly understood that the level of play was going to be very high. Well in place on his backhand, particularly long line, Lebrun still got back in front with authority (11-4) then took off in a set that Gauzy led 7-8 before collapsing (11-8).

In the fifth set, Félix Lebrun managed to break away at 6-6 to win four match points. But Gauzy, as throughout the match, defended very well against attacks from Héraultais, particularly far from the table, to first equalize at 10-10 then take the set (10-12, 3-2).

Amazing end to the match

The former French N.1 didn't stop there since he offered himself a crazy seventh set by winning the sixth set (7-11). It was then that an incredible set of intensity and level began between the two men, first dominated by Gauzy who led 8-5, before seeing Lebrun come back to level at 9- 9.

With the help of the net, Félix Lebrun then offered himself a new match point, which he converted in the wake of an incredible forehand block. Falling to the ground in an incredible atmosphere at the FDI Stadium which was cheering for him. While paying a magnificent tribute to the defeated of the day Simon Gauzy, in tears after his defeat.