The Lebrun brothers are writing a little more the history of French table tennis. They won the WTT Finals doubles tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, this Saturday afternoon, after a stunning match. With this 3 sets to 2 victory against the sixth world pair Shunsuke Togami-Hiroto Shinozuka, who were playing at home, they become the first European players to win a title in the final tournament of the world circuitwhether in singles or doubles.
It all started with an ultra-tight first set in which the Japanese ended up winning (14-12) despite several set point saves from the Lebrun brothers. The start of the second set was still difficult, with the Japanese leading 8-3. But the Montpellier people came from behind to win (14-12). They then took the upper hand in the 3rd set, beating the Japanese (11-6). Japanese who won the 4th set (11-7). The French finally dominated the last set to win (11-4).
World's leading doubles players
With this success, Félix and Alexis Lebrun take first place in the world doubles rankingsahead of all the Chinese pairs, who nevertheless dominate table tennis. “It’s crazy to win this tournament, to be number 1, all that with my brother!”reacted Alexis Lebrun after the game. “We end the year in apotheosis”rejoices Felix.
This trophy effectively concludes an exceptional, memorable year for the Lebrun brothers. Félix left the Paris Olympic Games with two bronze medalsin singles, and in teams with notably his brother Alexis and Simon Gauzy. The cadet also won son premier WTT Champions in front of his audience, in Montpellier, in October. Alexis won the title of champion d’Europe in Linz, where the two brothers also won the doubles tournament.
