(By Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
Felix Lebrun arrived in Oman as the top seed for the WTT Star Contender Muscat, and he didn’t disappoint. France’s top play won his first four matches 3-0 on his path to the Final, and then he defeated his older brother 4-3 to claim the title. Felix Lebrun should have had to face a higher seeded player in the Semifinals, except for the heroics of Vladimir Siddorenko. Sidorenko is a Russian player who is currently not eligible for many events due to political issues, therefore his ranking (and level of play) is less predictable than many of the normal players on the tour. Siddorenko defeated Simon Gauzy 3-2 in the second round, and then defeated Kristian Karlsson 3-2 in the Round of 16, and then defeated Darko Jorgic 3-1 in the Quarterfinals. Those three upsets created a faceoff between Sidorenko and Lebrun in the Semifinals – a match that Felix Lebrun won easily 3-0.
In the other half of the draw, Alexis Lebrun defeated Lin Yun-Ju 3-0 in one Quarterfinal. Seventeen year old Flavien Coton emerged to face Alexis Lebrun in an all-French Semifinal. Coton won the first two games before falling victim to 3 straight by Alexis Lebrun. In the Final, Alexis again fell behind – this time 0-3 as Felix took the early lead. Alexis then won three in a row to even the score, but the Final game went to Felix Lebrun – winning 4-3.
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