The step was still too high for Félix Lebrun. Opposed this Saturday in the semi-finals of the Singapore Smash, the equivalent of a Grand Slam tournament in tennis, to Wang Chuqin, the Frenchman was unable to do anything, losing in four sets (2-11, 11-7, 4-11, 6-11, 8-11). A defeat which, paradoxically, contains encouraging points for the 17-year-old player who had already suffered the law of the Chinese, future world number 1 in the next ranking, during the final of the World Team Championship two weeks ago. In an even clearer manner, which suggests a progression for the Frenchman, who will rise to 5th place in the world on Monday…
A progression which, however, took a round to materialize. Indeed, it is better for Félix Lebrun to quickly forget the first act of this semi-final, totally one-sided and overtaken by Wang Chuqin 11 points to 2. But where many table tennis players could not, or knew, how getting his head out of the water, the Frenchman immediately rose from his ashes to pocket the second round (11-7). Which was then only the second set lost by the Chinese during this tournament.
Alas, initially balanced (3-4), the third set suddenly shifted in favor of Wang Chuqin, who pierced his opponent thanks to his devastating forehand (4-11). The next round was hardly more contested (6-11) and the Mass then seemed said for Félix Lebrun. Who, however, was not going to bow without a final magnificent reaction of pride to return to 8 all in the fifth set. But in the money-time, Wang Chuqin tightened the game and ended up winning (11 points to 8). A defeat which is neither catastrophic nor worrying for the Frenchman who continues his apprenticeship at the very high level. Three months before the Games, this semi-final in Singapore even has some very good news.