They put the Vacheresse room in turmoil on Tuesday. In front of 5,000 spectators, Félix and Alexis Lebrun, 18 and 21 years old, sealed the victory of their club, the Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier, over Roanne, penultimate in the ProA ranking, 3-0*.
This evening, the Occitan club, once again forced to relocate the meeting to a packed Palais des sports in Castelnau-le-Lez (2,000 spectators are expected) will rely on the two stars of French ping, this Thursday evening, in front of a C’Chartres TT stuck in last place (8 defeats in as many matches).
Suffice to say that for Emmanuel Rassouw’s men, the task promises to be very delicate (read opposite) against two opponents who crossed a new threshold on the scale of notoriety during the last Olympic Games. Particularly Félix, now 5th player in the world, double bronze medalist in Paris, in doubles with his big brother, but also individually.
Third match in ProA for young Antoine Noirault. “They’re putting the Lebrun brothers on us. They’re scared!” This touch of humor comes from Emmanuel Rassouw, coach of the CCTT, at the time of going to challenge Nîmes/Montpellier, with a team weakened by the absence of Vitor Ishiy, who remained in Brazil. Antoine Noirault (n°163), 17 years old, will therefore play his third career ProA match this evening, obviously full of lessons. He has two defeats so far, but the last one conceded to the beautiful 13-11 against Angevin Bastien Rembert, on November 15, is rather encouraging.
“We will have to start the game as relaxed as possible”
Quite rare this season in ProA (five matches for Félix, only three for Alexis) due to their crazy schedule which takes them to the four corners of the globe, the two brothers will be there this evening. And the statistics speak in favor of the two brothers with 80% victories for the youngest and 100% for the eldest.
“We know it’s going to be complicated for us. We’ll have to start the game as relaxed as possible and seize the slightest opportunity that presents itself. The Lebrun brothers, it’s fabulous what they’ve managed to do in the space of two-three years. Félix, it’s the speed, the ability to take the ball very early and an excellent serve, Alexis, he’s an extraordinary power”, notes an admiring, but not resigned, Emmanuel Rassouw.
If Alexis made short work of the former Chartrain Florent Lambiet (11-5, 11-7, 11-2), Félix did not play but was very present, at the edge of the table. Castelnau-le-Lez (Hérault),
this Thursday, December 19, at 7 p.m. Nîmes/Montpellier:
Félix Lebrun (French n°1), Alexis Lebrun (n°2), Antoine Hachard (n°32), Esteban Dorr (n°39), Manav Vikash Thakkar (IND, n°48). C’Chartres TT :
Alberto Mino (ECU, n°29), Bence Majoros (HON, n°35), Antoine Noirault (n°163).
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