VIDEO. Paris 2024 Olympics: Felix Lebrun makes a brilliant debut in an exceptional atmosphere at the Paris Sud Arena

Felix Lebrun a tenu son rang. Capture d'écran X France TV Sports

Félix Lebrun, who carries the hopes of a French medal in table tennis, got his Olympic tournament off to a very good start, easily qualifying (4-0) for the last 16 of the men's singles at the expense of the Indian Harmeet Desai, Sunday July 28 at the Arena Paris Sud.

The young 17-year-old Montpellier table tennis player, ranked fifth in the world, upheld the rankings against an opponent ranked 86th, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8.

Desai, 31, who had to go through a preliminary round to face him, had the advantage of a match under his belt, but Lebrun, for his first participation in the Games, was restless, carried by an overexcited crowd.

Probably briefed by his older brother Alexis, who said he had “taken a slap” the day before, discovering the reception of the spectators, at the time of playing – and losing – the mixed doubles with Jia Nan Yuan, Félix did not seem paralyzed by this fervor of all the devils when he entered the room.

Summer hit ?

As evidenced by his two successful winning serves at the start, unreadable for his opponent. Quietly but surely, he then played his game despite a semblance of resistance from his opponent, which only lasted two sets.

The rest was a formality for the Frenchman, seeded No. 3, victorious and leaving as he had arrived, arms in the air, the boyish smile that he still is, to “La Marseillaise” and “Félix! Félix!” endlessly, which sound good for a summer hit.

The road is still long, however: in the round of 16, he will face a more serious opponent, in the person of the Swede Anton Kallberg, 25th in the world. Later in the evening, the other Lebrun, Alexis, 20 years old and 16th in the world, will play his first round against the Argentinian Santiago Lorenzo (80th).