Brazilian Hugo Calderano, number 7 in the world, defeated Frenchman Felix Lebrun, second in the rankings, by 3 sets to 2 (9/11, 11/9, 12/10, 12/10, 11/9) in the quarter-finals of Smash China in Beijing and advanced to the semi-finals, where he will face Taiwanese Lin Yun-Ju, 6th place, this Sunday at 1am (clock time). Brasilia).
AI-generated summary
Hugo Calderano and Felix Lebrun have a history of close clashes, including the bronze medal dispute at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where the Frenchman came out on top. Despite Calderano's victory in this match, the Frenchman still leads the overall record with five wins in nine meetings.
Number 7 in the world, Brazilian table tennis player Hugo Calderano defeated his French rival Felix Lebrun, vice-leader of the ranking, and advanced to the semifinals of Smash China (Beijing), the tournament with the highest score (2,000) on the international circuit. interrupting the Frenchman's run of three consecutive victories, two of them this year.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Felix Lebrun got the better of the Brazilian in the bronze medal match. Since then, the rivalry has only increased. Despite today's victory, the Frenchman continues to have an advantage in the overall record: in nine clashes in history, he has five victories compared to Calderano's four.
The opponent in the semifinals will be the Taiwanese Lin Yun-Ju (6th in the ranking) who today defeated the Swedish Trüls Moregard (5th) 4 sets to 0. The clash for a place in the Smash China final is scheduled to start at 1am (Brasília time), this Sunday (11).
Calderano and Yun-Ju have already faced each other five times, with four victories for the Taiwanese and just one for the Brazilian, at the Czech Open in 2017.
Calderano's China Smash wins
First round: Hugo Calderano 3 x 0 Dimitrij Ovtcharov (ALE) - 11/9, 11/9 and 11/8;
Second round: Hugo Calderano 3 x 0 An Jaehyun (COR) - 11/5, 11/9 and 12/10;
Round of 16: Hugo Calderano 3 x 0 Patrick Franziska (ALE) - 11/2, 11/5 and 11/7;
Quarter-finals: Hugo Calderano 4 x 1 Felix Lebrun (FRA) - 9/11, 11/9, 12/10, 12/10 and 11/9.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Hugo Calderano will face Lin Yun-Ju in the semifinals of Smash China this Sunday at 1am (Brasília time).
Very likely · Within hours
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