(by Steve Hopkins)

France is becoming a power in table tennis with the Lebrun brothers leading the way and a pair of even younger up-and-coming players (Poret and Coton), its easy to overlook some of the other French players.  This week, 29 year old Frenchman Leo De Nodrest (World No. 80) reminded the world that he’s still improving as he fought his way to the Final Four.

Felix Lebrun entered the event as the top seed, and he has done largely what one would expect for World No. 2 – losing only two games in four matches on his way to the Semifinals.  Leo de Nodrest had a very different path, winning three straight matches 4-3 including wins over Jorgic and Duda on his way to face Felix Lebrun.

In the bottom half of the draw, both of the top seeds faltered early.  Moregard lost first – losing 4-2 to Borgar Haug.  Haug went on to fall in the next round to Anton Kallberg – Kallberg is now in the Semifinals.  Alexis Lebrun also fell in an upset, losing 4-1 to Dang Qiu.  Qiu will face Kallberg on Sunday.

The Semis and Finals will be played on Sunday.

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