Another giant has fallen in Doha. World No.139 Gaia MONFARDINI produced one of the biggest shocks of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025, overcoming the vastly more experienced No.28 seed Doo Hoi Kem in a dramatic seven-game encounter: 4-3 (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 4-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7). Facing DOO for the first time, MONFARDINI showed no signs of intimidation, taking the opening two games with fearless, high-risk play. But the Hong Kong star found her footing and stormed back with three straight wins, appearing to have turned the tide. Backed into a corner, MONFARDINI refused to back down. Digging deep, she took the sixth game and raced into a commanding lead in the decider, eventually sealing the upset with relentless composure. Still shaking moments after the match, the Italian was visibly emotional: “I’m not sure what to say anymore. It’s crazy. I knew I was playing well against her, but I didn’t expect this, even when I was leading. I never dared to think that I could win this.” She added: “This win confirms that I can trust myself, as there have been many times I doubted. Sometimes it’s difficult to stay strong. This is table tennis—it’s a technical game, but in the end, it becomes a mind game. You’re playing against yourself.” With her focus still sharp despite the whirlwind moment, MONFARDINI is already looking ahead, albeit cautiously, to her next match against SHIN Yubin: “I’m not going to think too much. It doesn’t matter if I’m behind or in front—I’m just going point by point.”

French table tennis star Alexis LEBRUN has officially withdrawn from the singles competition at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025 in Doha. Still in recovery from a fractured hand, the 21-year-old made the decision in consultation with the French team’s medical staff. LEBRUN, who had comfortably defeated Togo’s Kokou Fanny 4-0 in the opening round, was scheduled to face Yen-Chun Lin in the round of 64 on Tuesday. However, due to the possibility of playing two matches in one day, doctors advised against it. In a message to his fans on Instagram, LEBRUN shared the update: “Unfortunately, I won’t be playing singles today. I haven’t received medical clearance to play two matches in the same day, so I’m withdrawing from the singles draw. But I’ll give everything to go as far as possible with Félix in doubles. VAMOS!” The LEBRUN brothers have made strong progress in men’s doubles, advancing to the round of 16 after wins against pairs from Spain and Iran. Their next challenge will be against Sweden’s Olympic silver medallists Truls MÖREGÅRDH and Anton KÄLLBERG. “Third day done! We’re pushing further in doubles with Félix ,” Alexis added in his post. “The next match will be against the Swedes… Time and date will be announced soon.” Having already claimed team bronze at Paris 2024 and team silver at the 2024 World Championships, the LEBRUN brothers remain one of France’s brightest hopes on the global stage.