Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Monday September 30, 2024 at 7:33 p.m.
As during the Paris Olympic tournament, Alexis Lebrun was beaten by the Brazilian Hugo Calderano for his entry into the Grand Smash of China.
We had not seen him play a singles match since his defeat in the round of 16 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games against Hugo Calderano two months ago. Alexis Lebrun made his comeback to competition this Monday during the Grand Smash of China, a prestigious tournament equivalent to a Grand Slam in tennis… and he lost against Calderano. Opposed to the Brazilian world number 3 in the 32nd finals, the eldest of the Lebrun brothers (21 years old, world No. 19) lost for the fourth time in four confrontations against the Brazilian (28 years old): 11-7, 11-9, 13-11despite two set points in the last round. Simon Gauzy having been eliminated on Monday (by the Taiwanese Kao), there is only one Frenchman left in the Chinese tournament, Felix Lebrun. The world No. 5 and bronze medalist at Paris 2024 beat the Pole Redzimski on Sunday and will face the Australian Finn Luu (43rd) this Tuesday for the first time in his career.
A busy schedule for two months
This Chinese tournament marks the great return to competition of the two star brothers of this magnificent Olympic summer. After having taken advantage of their medals (team bronze for both, individual bronze in addition for Félix) and responding to numerous media requests, the Héraultais left for the last part of the season, which will be very rich. After the Grand Smash of China, where Félix hopes to go very far in singles, and in doubles where he will be aligned with Alexis from Wednesday, we will find them at the European Championships in Linz in mid-October where they will be favorites for medals, at the Champions in Montpellier and Frankfurt at the end of October, and at the finals of the WTT circuit in Fukuoka at the end of November. After their Parisian performances this summer, their results will inevitably be more scrutinized than ever.
