ON
← Back to feed
Pong player Félix Lebrun wins his first Grand Smash, the equivalent of a Grand Slam
France⚽ Sports6 days ago

Pong player Félix Lebrun wins his first Grand Smash, the equivalent of a Grand Slam

French table tennis player Félix Lebrun, aged 19, won his first Grand Smash title at the event in Malmö, Sweden, defeating Japanese player Tomokazu Harimoto in a five-set final (11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9). This victory marks Lebrun as the first French athlete to win a Grand Smash, which is comparable to a Grand Slam in tennis. The win follows a nearly perfect week for Lebrun, during which he also secured his second Grand Smash doubles title alongside his older brother Alexis. In the doubles final, they defeated the Hong Kong pair Ting Chun Wong and Baldwin Chan. Additionally, Chinese player Manyu Wang, ranked second in the world, claimed the women’s singles title by defeating her compatriot Yidi Wang in a five-set match.

Félix Lebrun secured his place in the final of the European Smash tournament after defeating Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic in straight sets during the semifinals held in Malmö, Sweden, on Sunday. The French number one dominated the match with precision and speed, winning all four games without allowing Jorgic to score a single point in the second and third games. The victory sets up a clash against Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto, who will challenge Lebrun for the title later that evening at 19:00 local time. The match against Jorgic was a masterclass in control and execution. Lebrun maintained a relentless pace throughout, making it nearly impossible for his opponent to find rhythm. His ability to consistently hit powerful serves and accurate diagonal shots left Jorgic struggling to respond effectively. The French player extended his dominance early in the contest, setting the tone for the entire encounter. By the end of the first game, Lebrun had already established a commanding lead, and he continued this momentum through the rest of the match, ensuring a decisive win in just twenty minutes. Harimoto, ranked fourth in the world, has been in excellent form following his recent victory at the WTT Champions event in Yokohama. He defeated fellow Japanese player Sora Matsushima in a thrilling five-game battle, showcasing his skill and composure under pressure. After securing his spot in the final, Harimoto expressed confidence in his chances against Lebrun, acknowledging the challenge posed by the Frenchman’s strength and experience. “I’m very proud to be in the final,” Lebrun said after his victory, adding that he expects a tough match against a formidable opponent. Lebrun’s performance in the semifinal was consistent with his usual style, relentless, calculated, and efficient. He started the match with authority, quickly taking control of the rallies and limiting Jorgic’s opportunities to counterattack. In the second game, Lebrun again took an early lead, maintaining his aggressive approach while keeping his opponent off balance. The third game saw him extend his advantage further, reaching a 10-5 score before sealing the victory with a clinical finish. Despite Jorgic’s attempts to rally late in the match, Lebrun remained focused and composed, ultimately ending the contest decisively. This marks Lebrun’s second appearance in a Grand Smash final, though his journey has not always been straightforward. He previously faced defeat in the Chinese Major championship final, losing 4-0 to world number one Wang Chuqin. However, Lebrun has bounced back strongly, earning notable victories such as his bronze medal in team competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics and a convincing win in the WTT Champions event in Montpellier earlier this year. His record against Harimoto stands at 5-2, including a memorable upset at the Tokyo Games, where Lebrun helped secure a bronze medal in mixed doubles alongside his brother Alexis. With his twin brother Alexis having claimed success in the doubles category earlier in the day, Lebrun now looks forward to a potentially historic individual achievement. A victory in the European Smash would represent his first major singles title on the international stage, marking a significant milestone in his career. As the final approaches, both players will undoubtedly prepare meticulously, knowing that the outcome could define their season and their standing within the sport.

5 reports

France 24 (Français) logoFrance 24 (Français)State / PublicCenterFactual 95Objective 857 days ago
Pong player Félix Lebrun wins his first Grand Smash, the equivalent of a Grand Slam

French table tennis player Félix Lebrun, aged 19, won his first Grand Smash title at the event in Malmö, Sweden, defeating Japanese player Tomokazu Harimoto in a five-set final (11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9). This victory marks Lebrun as the first French athlete to win a Grand Smash, which is comparable to a Grand Slam in tennis. The win follows a nearly perfect week for Lebrun, during which he also secured his second Grand Smash doubles title alongside his older brother Alexis. In the doubles final, they defeated the Hong Kong pair Ting Chun Wong and Baldwin Chan. Additionally, Chinese player Manyu Wang, ranked second in the world, claimed the women’s singles title by defeating her compatriot Yidi Wang in a five-set match.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses solely on sports achievements and does not involve any political figures, policies, or contentious issues. It provides a balanced account of the competition results without any apparent bias or political commentary.

Why factuality (95): This article provides detailed match results, including the scoreline, opponent, and previous achievements of Félix Lebrun. It confirms he was the first French player to win a Grand Smash, matching the accounts from Le Monde and Libération. The inclusion of his brother’s participation and prior tour

Why objectivity (85): While the article includes some descriptive language ('injouable en simple', 'asphyxié son adversaire'), it remains largely objective. Quotes from Félix and his coach are presented without overt bias, though there is slightly more narrative flair than in the other articles.

Le Figaro logoLe FigaroIndependent🔒CenterFactual 95Objective 857 days ago
Table tennis: unplayable, Félix Lebrun offers himself a final at the Smash of Europe, his second major

French table tennis player Félix Lebrun defeated Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic in straight sets during the European Smash tournament in Malmö, Sweden. He will now compete against Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto in the final, aiming for his second major title. The article highlights Lebrun’s dominant performance, describing his precision and speed, while noting his previous rivalry with Harimoto and his recent successes including a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event without any political implications. It focuses solely on the competition, player performances, and historical context within the sport, presenting information objectively without taking a stance or showing favor towards any particular team or ideology.

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports Félix Lebrun’s victory over Darko Jorgic in the semifinals of the WTT Europe Smash, including the scoreline (11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5) and the time taken (20 minutes). It also correctly states his upcoming final against Tomokazu Harimoto and includes direct quotes from L

Why objectivity (85): The article uses some emotionally charged language such as 'injouable' and 'cauchemar' to describe Jorgic’s experience, which may slightly bias the narrative toward Lebrun’s dominance. However, it remains largely factual and includes both sides of the match, quoting Lebrun directly.

Le Parisien logoLe ParisienIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 887 days ago
WTT Europe Smash: Félix Lebrun rules and qualifies for the final in Sweden

The article reports on Félix Lebrun's victory in the WTT Europe Smash table tennis tournament, where he dominated his matches and secured qualification for the final in Sweden. The piece highlights his strong performance and leadership during the competition, emphasizing his control over the games. It does not provide detailed results or specific opponents but focuses on his commanding presence throughout the event. The tone is celebratory of his achievement without critical commentary.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a sports event and does not involve politically charged topics such as government, elections, or public policy. As such, it is apolitical and therefore leans toward the center. There is no evident bias or framing that suggests a particular ideological stance.

Why factuality (90): The article confirms Félix Lebrun’s qualification for the final after defeating Darko Jorgic and mentions his upcoming match against Tomokazu Harimoto. While less detailed than the first article, it provides accurate information that matches the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (88): The tone is more neutral compared to the first article, avoiding strong emotional descriptors. It focuses on reporting the facts without overtly favoring either player, though it still highlights Lebrun’s performance positively.

Libération logoLibérationIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 856 days ago
Ping-Pong: Félix Lebrun becomes the first Frenchman to win a Grand Smash, the equivalent of a Grand Slam tennis tournament

Félix Lebrun has become the first French player to win a Grand Smash tournament, which is comparable to a Grand Slam event in tennis. This achievement marks a significant milestone in his career and for French table tennis. The victory highlights Lebrun's skill and potential on the international stage. It also brings attention to the growth of table tennis in France and could inspire future athletes in the sport.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses solely on a sports achievement with no political implications or controversy. There is no framing that suggests bias toward any political side, and the content is purely celebratory of a sporting success.

Why factuality (90): The article concisely states that Félix Lebrun became the first French player to win a Grand Smash, confirming the key fact from the other sources. It matches the description of the event as equivalent to a Grand Slam in tennis and mentions his status as a five-time world ranking, supporting the fac

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting the facts without embellishment. It is brief but clear, avoiding subjective commentary while still conveying the significance of the achievement.

Le Monde logoLe MondeIndependent🔒CenterFactual 75Objective 807 days ago
In Sweden, Félix Lebrun made history by becoming the first Frenchman to win a Grand Smash

A 19-year-old French player named Félix Lebrun won the European Grand Smash tournament in Malmö on Sunday. This victory makes him the first French table tennis player in history to win a tournament of this level in singles, which is comparable to a Grand Slam in tennis.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports achievement without any political implications. The focus is purely on the athletic accomplishment and historical significance within the sport of table tennis.

Why factuality (75): The article reports that Félix Lebrun became the first French player to win a Grand Smash at the European level, which is described as equivalent to a Grand Slam in tennis. This aligns with the cross-source consensus from France 24 and Libération. The article does not include specific details about

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the information in a neutral tone, focusing on the achievement without expressing personal opinion or emotional language. It uses standard journalistic phrasing and avoids any biased framing.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories