Laurens Devos has convincingly qualified for the semi-finals in table tennis. The Belgian did not waste any time against the Swede Gustafsson and won with a clear 3-0. He is now certain of at least bronze.
After his titles in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Laurens Devos is also the top favorite in his class of table tennis (MS9) in Paris. In the quarterfinals, the Swede Daniel Gustafsson could do little to stop our compatriot.
Devos immediately showed that he was a class too strong and forced the Swede into making mistakes every time. With 11-4, 11-6 and 11-8 after just 19 minutes, Devos, number 1 on the world rankings, convincingly advanced to the semi-finals.
In those semi-finals he will face the 24-year-old Spaniard Ander Cepas, the number 3 in the world, on Saturday. Devos is already certain of another Belgian medal in Paris, because the 4 semi-finalists are certain of at least bronze.
“In the third set I got a little nervous”
“I think I started my duel very well today,” Devos said after his match. “I was on a good level right away. The focus was very good. In the third set I got a bit nervous and missed a few balls, but I can be very satisfied.”
“The match against Cepas will definitely be difficult. I played against him in May and only won 3-2. I will give the best of myself again and then we will see what the result will be.”
During Devos’ match, the French crowd at the South Paris Arena stood on the benches for home player Lucas Didier, who also qualified for the semi-finals. If Devos beats Cepas, he can face Didier in the final.
“The French are fierce supporters, but I’m not afraid of them,” Devos laughed. “Today it wasn’t always easy to stay focused with all the cheering around me. But I’m not complaining. Usually not that many people come to watch us. I like playing in such a full hall.”
| Laurens Devos program (Paris 2024) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| thursday august 29 | G-table tennis | 1/8 finals doubles | 3-1 victory |
| Friday August 30th | G-table tennis | quarterfinals doubles | 0-3 loss, OUT |
| Tuesday September 3 | G-table tennis | 1/8 finals singles | free |
| Wednesday September 4th | G-table tennis | singles quarterfinals (possibly) | 3-0 win, to HF |
| saturday september 7 | G-table tennis | singles semi-finals | 10:00 am |
| G-table tennis | final singles (possible) | 5:00 p.m. | |
Game, set en match
Laurens Devos leaves no stone unturned against Sweden’s Gustafsson and easily qualifies for the semi-finals without losing a set: 3-0. Thanks to his place in the semi-finals, Devos is already assured of at least bronze.
Devos doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet in set 3. Despite a timeout from the Swede, Devos races to a 6-0 lead.
On 1 set of at least bronze
Despite a lesser moment halfway through the set, Devos also takes the second set: 11-6. One more set and Devos has a win, a place in the semi-finals and certainty of at least bronze.
Things also went smoothly for Devos in the second set: our compatriot has the first gap on the scoreboard: 7-4.
The first point was for the Swede Gustafsson, but the first set was convincing for Laurens Devos: 11-4.
The match on table 3 for Laurens Devos’ match has only just ended, in a few minutes it will be our compatriot’s turn.
Laurens Devos is one of the medal hopes for Belgium in Paris. The table tennis player already won gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 and is now trying to win a third Paralympic title. At 1 p.m. he will play his quarter final, in which he will face the Swede Daniel Gustafsson.
