Alexis Lebrun is on the verge of making history as the first French player to reach the final of a Grand Smash in table tennis, a feat his younger brother Félix has yet to achieve. Facing world number 2 Lin Shidong, who has a strong winning record, Alexis aims to build on his previous victory over Shidong. Despite being ranked 14th, Alexis’s offensive skills could pose a challenge, setting the stage for an exhilarating semifinal match.
Alexis Lebrun’s Historic Journey in Table Tennis
In a groundbreaking achievement, Alexis Lebrun has the chance to restore the right of primogeniture in Singapore by becoming the first French player to reach the final of a Grand Smash, table tennis’s equivalent of tennis’s Grand Slam. While his younger brother, Félix, has made headlines with his remarkable records and performances over the past year and a half, Alexis is on the brink of surpassing his sibling’s feat, which ended in the semifinals against Chinese player Wang Chuqin right here in Singapore. However, for Alexis to claim victory, he must overcome an even tougher adversary, Lin Shidong, another formidable competitor from China.
Facing the Challenge: Lin Shidong Awaits
Currently holding the world number 2 ranking, Alexis has been delivering performances that rival those of the top player since the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite not being selected for the event. Lin Shidong boasts an impressive record, having won 35 of his last 37 singles matches, with only two defeats—one against Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto in the WTT final and the other against Félix Lebrun during the WTT Champions final in Montpellier, where Félix emerged victorious with a clean sweep of four sets. This sets the stage for a formidable challenge for Alexis, who will compete this Saturday at approximately 11:45 AM in France.
However, Alexis has proven he can beat Shidong, having triumphed over him in May at the WTT Contender in Taiyuan, China, winning decisively in four sets (3-1). At that time, Shidong was still on his way to becoming the powerhouse he is today, having recently broken into the Top 10. Now, at just 19 years old, Shidong has established himself as a significant threat, having taken his revenge on Félix in the WTT Finals last November with a convincing victory in the round of 16.
Despite the odds, Alexis possesses a strong offensive game that could challenge Shidong’s dominance. The true test lies in maintaining that performance throughout the entire match, as inconsistency has been a slight weakness in Alexis’s game. Even if he falls short this Saturday, he is poised to break into the world Top 10, currently sitting at 14th place. This marks a crucial milestone for the reigning European champion and sets a positive tone for 2025. With nothing to lose against a superior opponent, Alexis is known for thriving under pressure, making this semifinal an exciting prospect for fans and supporters alike.