Félix and Alexis Lebrun qualified Thursday for the double Smash semi-finals of Lash Vegas, the highest level of the international circuit, beating the German pair Benedikt Duda and Dang Qiu in four sets (11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10).
Félix and Alexis Lebrun and the Benedikt Duda-Dang Qiu pair had already met this season in Singapore where the Lebrun, a world N.1, had won in February, already in the quarter-finals of a large Smash (3-0). This time they left a set to their German opponents. After fighting to go back a four -point delay in the second round, they dismissed five set balls in the third, finally won by Duda and Danq Qiu. The Montpellier had the last word after a fourth tight set.
Félix Lebrun will find Duda in simple
In Las Vegas, where the big Smash – equivalent to a Grand Chelem tournament in tennis – is organized for the first time, the Lebrun brothers are still engaged in simple and will play later on the night of Thursday to Friday. Alexis Lebrun, 11th in the world, will face the Japanese Yuta Tanaka (60th) to reach the quarters (4:10 am French time) when Félix is once again opposed to Benedikt Duda (11:50 p.m.).
In case of success, the 18 -year -old pongist could find another Frenchman in the quarter, Lilian Bardet, surprising since the start of the competition. Author with a big blow against the N.5 Liang Jingkun in the first round, the 24 -year -old, from the qualifications, can continue his great American adventure if he manages to dismiss Danish Jonathan Groth (28th) from 10:40 pm. Last Frenchman committed to women, Jianan Yuan will have a lot to do in front of the Chinese Chen Xingtong, world n.3 to join the quarters (4:45).
