Crazy match. As often happens when competing, the Lebrun brothers put on a show this Saturday in Oman. Going head-to-head in the final of the WTT Star Contender in Muscat, a third-tier tournament on the world circuit, two French table tennis geniuses were engaged in a back-and-forth battle.
As in the WTT Champions in Montpellier in October 2024 and in the French Championship final in Levallois in March 2025, it was the youngest brother who won the jackpot (4-3). But like their last confrontation to date, Félix must draw on his reserve strength to fight the defense science and never-give-up mentality of his parents, who never give up.
Vastly superior, the world No. 7 started well, quickly taking a three-set lead to nothing (11-8, 11-8, 11-4). The tension seemed to be nil as the tournament’s top seed Muscat shone with his aggressiveness and offensive power.
Amazing fifth round
But like at Levallois, where he trailed 2-0 then 3-1, Alexis bounced back, bit by bit. Without panicking, the 22-year-old table tennis player followed suit, managing to put aside four title-winning balls at the end of a sensational fifth round. Between lengthy exchanges, defensive moves from the other side, and wild celebrations, the two brothers put on a real show for the Omani crowd. The world number 13 eventually won the fiery set by converting his third set point (13-15).
Initially measured, Félix finally let his anger explode by banging his towel several times on his chair after losing the sixth set (10-12). Even though the momentum of the final seemed to have changed, the men’s singles bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics regained his composure to advance to the final round, with new aggression (11-6).
Named for the fifth time in his career on the WTT circuit at the age of 19, the second season after the Contenter of Tunis in April, Félix Lebrun will rise to fourth in the world rankings and will be seeded during the WTT Finals, the final tournament of the season that brings together the 16 best players of the year.
