We don’t claim to know the techniques of table tennis perfectly, but we know how to recognize a weird point in space when it presents itself before our eyes. And that’s what happened on Saturday, on the other side of the world, in Incheon, South Korea, during the quarter-final between the Frenchman Simon Gauzy and the Chinese Liang Jingkun, current third in the world.
Quickly cornered after his serve and pushed into the ropes, far from the table, he attempted (and succeeded) a “chop” – a sort of backhand topspin – absolutely mind-blowing, followed by a supersonic backhand volley, in front the stunned eyes and admiring expression of his opponent, forced to smile in front of such a sequence. “It’s one of the most beautiful shots you’ll see!” », enthused the commentator, while Gauzy, arm raised, was cheered by a delirious crowd.
“I had fun”
“The most beautiful point I have seen in my life live,” commented Alexis Lebrun, beaten by his brother Félix in the previous round. Unfortunately, Simon Gauzy could not convert this into a final victory, defeated by the Chinese in five rounds (16-14, 11-8, 11-3, 14-16 5-11). This did not prevent the French table tennis player from savoring the moment.
“I’m very sad not to win with this level… I have three match points, which he plays very well. “It’s one of the biggest matches of my life,” he commented on Twitter. Thank you everyone, you are really great. And strength to those who stood up. I had fun and it makes me want to play it again. See you soon. » With other points like that, we come back every day.