Table tennis: close to the exploit, the French mens team fails to overturn China in the semi

Flavien Coton, Félix, and Alexis Lebrun were defeated on Saturday in London by the Chinese team led by the world number 1 Wang Chuqin. The French team leaves with the bronze medal.

The French team getting closer to upsetting the Chinese dominance. After being swept in the 2024 World Team Championships final, the French team showed more resistance and came close to achieving a remarkable feat. The players under Nathanaël Molin were defeated, with honors, 3-1 against China in the semi-finals of the World Team Championships on Saturday, May 9 in London.

Right from the start of the match, young Flavien Coton – only 18 years old and ranked 23rd globally – set the tone by facing the world number 1, Wang Chuqin, without fear. After losing the first set, the Frenchman won the next two sets before eventually losing the match (defeated 3-2). The top French player and 4th globally, Félix Lebrun, a bronze medalist in singles at the Paris Olympics, then upheld his rank by winning in three sets against the 6th-ranked player Lin Shindong.

Encouraged by his brother’s victory, Alexis Lebrun faced Liang Jingkun, the lowest-ranked player in the Chinese team, with determination. After easily winning the first two sets (11-3, 11-1), the Frenchman saw his opponent make a comeback and take the lead. Even though he saved seven set points consecutively in the third set, the Lebrun brothers’ momentum could not find a way to regain control. He lost in three sets to two.

Coming back to the table to keep his team alive, Félix Lebrun managed to win only one set against Wang Chuqin (lost 3-1). Not enough to reach a final that China has not missed since 1991. So, the French team returns with the bronze medal. China will face Japan in the final, who had previously defeated Taiwan.