We often talk about the repeated affronts of the Lebrun brothers at table tennis, but those of Simon Gauzy should not be taken lightly in these European Championships. Far from it.
From day one, Simon Gauzy (already) has a medal around his neck
The day of Thursday October 17, 2024 was incredibly painful for our table tennis section. Indeed, we have noted no less than six odious victories. The victories in singles and doubles of the Lebrun brothers, that of Léana Hochart at the age of sixteen and that of the mixed doubles composed of Prithika Pavade and Simon Gauzy, already ensuring the first French medal in these European Championships . And guess where this sixth untenable success comes from? Simon Gauzy himself.
Indeed, after having played (and won) two matches in the mixed doubles table, Simon had to make his way in the singles table. And for this, he was opposed to the local of the event, the Austrian Andreas Levenko, 102nd player in the world. Facing him, a merciless duel began. If the Frenchman starts his game in the worst way (11-6), he quickly comes back down to Earth during the next two rounds (5-11, 11-13).
Simon Gauzy is led 2-1, then 3-2, and finds himself on the edge of the precipice. From now on, he no longer has a choice, he is condemned to winning the last two sets if he wants to continue playing singles in these European Championships. And this is where the Austrian makes a big mistake; you should never put Gauzy against the wall, otherwise he will transform.
Victory in seven rounds to finish us off
Indeed, the 29-year-old table tennis player is no longer the same. Point by point, he shows Andreas Levenko that despite the public behind him, none of his shots will be able to get the better of his defense. And at the end of the evening, after 10 p.m., Simon Gauzy validated his ticket for the second round by winning in seven sets (11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-4, 10-12, 11-6 , 11-9), at the end of an hour-long marathon.
Simon Gauzy thus ends his day with a disastrous 3/3, he knows what remains to be done from now on; forgetting to set your alarm for the next day.
