Table tennis worlds: the Blues sweep the United States and reach the round of 16

Without Alexis Lebrun, left to rest, the French team easily dismissed the United States in the round of 16 of the World Table Tennis Team Championships. Favorites, the Blues assumed their status by making short work of their opponent in London.

Fallers from Taiwan (3-0), Germany (3-1), Japan (3-2) and therefore the Americans (3-0), the French table tennis players continue their flawless performance and reach the round of 16 of the competition.

Hero of the third and final group stage meeting against Japan, the young Flavien Coton (18 years old), new talent in French ping, opened the way for his teammates by beating from the outset the American number 1 Kanak Jha, far from having deserved with his devastating serve (11-13, 11-8, 5-11, 9-11).

“We are one of the contenders for the title”

Aligned in a perfectly unbalanced duel against the veteran and 190th in the world Jishan Lang, Félix Lebrun (4th in the world) imitated his compatriot and in turn imposed himself as a boss, without trembling (5-11, 1-11, 3-11). In conclusion, the experienced Simon Gauzy gave Nandan Naresh no chance (156th in the world) to offer the final point to France (3-11, 4-11, 4-11).

Six months after their title of European champions in Zadar (Croatia), Nathanaël Molin’s men are obviously moving forward with the ambition of establishing themselves on the international scene despite tough competition.

“I’m pretty sure China won’t give up that easily, despite their two defeats in the group stage. But yes, we are one of the contenders for the title. Our chances of winning are real,” assured Simon Gauzy at the microphone of the organizers.

The Blues continue their journey in these table tennis Worlds and will meet in the round of 16 the winner of the meeting between Portugal or Egypt, scheduled for this Tuesday (1:30 p.m.).