Félix Lebrun – Fan Zhendong: no feat for the French prodigy who will still play for bronze!

Beaten in four short sets (8-11 6-11 7-11 5-11) by the Chinese Fan Zhendong, Félix Lebrun does not achieve the feat of beating the world number 4 and qualifying for the final of the 2024 Olympic Games. The French prodigy will play for the gold medal bronze against the Swede Moregard or the Brazilian Calderano.

Facing the Chinese and world number 4 Fan Zhendong, Félix Lebrun will not see the Olympic final. The Frenchman suffered the law of his opponent (8-11, 6-11, 7-11, 5-11) in about thirty minutes. In a Paris Sud 4 Arena in fusion, the French table tennis player ran into the opponent's wall. Indeed, the Olympic vice-champion made very few mistakes and was very effective on the counter. If the Montpellier player tried over the points and minutes of varying to destabilize his opponent, the difference was too high between the two table tennis players despite the strokes of genius of the Frenchman. Defeated in the semi-final, Félix Lebrun will play Sunday at 1:30 p.m., the match for the bronze medal against the Swede Truls Moregard or the Brazilian Hugo Calderano.

12:00 – Second Olympic final for Zhendong

After winning the money à Tokyo in 2021, Fan Zhendong will have the opportunity to win gold this year. Paris.

11:55 – Lebrun does not join Gatien

Sè rdly beaten by Fan Zhendong, Félix Lebrun will not join Jean-Philippe Gatien, Olympic vice-champion é Barcelona in 1992.

11:50 – Lebrun: "No way to win"

Félix Lebrun on France 2 after his defeat:  "I think he played a hell of a match. I had the feeling he wasn't making any mistakes. I was hoping to get a little closer to him but I got taken down. Now, there's a medal to go for. With our level of play, there was no way we could win it. I will try to get this Olympic medal which is a dream”.

11:45 – A medal to go for

If the gold will not be won by Félix Lebrun, the French table tennis player will nevertheless be able to win the bronze in the small final. He will face the loser of the other Olympic semi-final, opposing this Friday to 2:30 p.m., Swede Truls Moregard to Brazilian Hugo Calderano.

11:38 – "Félix, Félix"

Félix Lebrun leaves the Arena Paris Sud 4 to a standing ovation from the French crowd, who chant “Félix, Félix, élix", despite the defeat against Fan Zhendong.

Fan Zhendong éwas simply too strong today. Acclaimed by the crowd, Félix Lebrun bows out heavily in four sets (8-11 6-11 7-11 5-11) in the semi-final of the 2024 Olympics and will play for the bronze medal.

11:33 – Zhendong in total control (8-11 6-11 7-11 4-10)

It's complicated for Félix Lebrun! The score is in favor of Fan Zhendong who should be playing in his second Olympic singles final.

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11:31 – Still successful (8-11 6-11 7-11 3-6)

While Félix Lebrun had managed to push Fan Zhendong back, the Chinese player passed as best he could and hit the net on his backhand. The Frenchman wants to continue but his topspin goes long.

11:30 – Lebrun gets annoyed (8-11 6-11 7-11 3-4)

Fan Zhendong is simply too strong for Félix Lebrun who gets annoyed after a forehand start that ends up in the net.

11:29 – Lebrun cheers (8-11 6-11 7-11 3-2)

Very early catch of the ball and change of direction for Félix Lebrun who leaves Fan Zhendong several meters from the table. 

11:28 – What a festival (8-11 6-11 7-11 1-1)

After an exchange in the middle of the table where the balls flew, Fan Zhendong sends a diagonal backhand slap that leaves Félix Lebrun literally on the spot.

Fan Zhendong is simply better than Félix Lebrun in the first three rounds. The Chinese does not make any mistakes while Félix Lebrun fails to make the difference. The French table tennis player will have to dig deep to beat the world number 4.

11:23 – Zhendong more solid (8-11 6-11 5-8)

After his time-out, Félix Lebrun tries and varies but it doesn't work against the Chinese.

11:22 – Time-out (8-11 6-11 4-5)

After a good start to the third set, Félix Lebrun gives up four points. Timeout requested by Nathanaël Molin.

11:21 – Nice zone (8-11 6-11 4-3)

Since the start of the match, Fan Zhendong has had this ease in finding a very central zone on the table. F&eacutelix Lebrun is unable to to move to return the ball.

11:20 – First break (8-11 6-11 4-1)

Félix Lebrun is no longer the same at the table. The Frenchman is much more offensive and pounds the Chinese on the backhand.

11:19 – Success (8-11 6-11 1-1)

Since the start of the match, Fan Zhendong has had success, as illustrated by this backhand pass that hits the net.

On this little pass game, Félix Lebrun touches the ball with the edge and concedes the second set of the match.

11:17 – Zhendong solid (8-11 6-10)

Gesture of frustration for Félix Lebrun who seems considerably embarrassed by Fan Zhendong's ability to put everything back on the table.

11:16 – The Chinese in management (8-11 6-8)

Since the start of the match, Fan Zhendong has won the vast majority of long exchanges and battles on the table. 

11:15 – Too bad (8-11 6-6)

On a serve from Zhendong, Félix Lebrun sees his return fly away and the Chinese takes advantage to attack.

11:14 – Lebrun in contact (8-11 5-5)

If he doesn't manage to get to lead, Félix Lebrun does not let himself be left behind thanks to a new start on the backhand. 

11:14 – Zhendong gêné (8-11 4-4)

Two points from Félix Lebrun who catches up. As soon as he varies his zones in return and start, the Frenchman considerably embarrasses Fan Zhendong.

11:13 – “Félix, Félix" (8-11 2-4)

After his second point scored on a backhand foul by Zhendong, the supporters present raise their voices!

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