Six “Bleus” in Suzhou led by GAUZY

April 21, 2015
12:00 am
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Six “Bleus” will represent France in Suzhou at the QOROS 2015 World Table Tennis Championships (26 April – 3 May 2015). In men’s team will play Simon GAUZY (Ochsenhausen) Adrien MATTENET (Saarbrucken) Emmanuel LEBESSON (Boulogne-Billancourt) Abdel-Kader SALIFOU (La Romagne) whilst Women’s team consist of Carole GRUNDISCH (Kremlin-Bicêtre) and XIAN Yi Fang (Grand-Quevilly).

World’s no. 29 and no 39. GAUZY and MATTENET found their place in the team by the ranking in top 50 whilst LEBESSON and SALIFOU are chosen after qualifying tournament in L’Insep earlier in March. The qualifying criteria for Carole GRUNDISCH was the Round of 16 in World Tour in Russia whilst L’Insep’s tournament was lucky for XIANG.

French Champion in 2015 Adrien MATTENET former World’s no. 19 (2012) reached Round of 64 in 2013 at the World Championships in Paris. It is the same result that GAUZU achieved at the same place. GAUZY also won French title in 2013. LEBESSON reached Round of 32 in France two years ago. Currently he occupies position no. 84 at the World Rankings. SALIFOU is ranked at position no. 112.

“I feel very good despite a small knee injury. It is getting better and better everyday” said Simon GAUZY. “I’m having a good preparation in France for 10 days already and I concluded very hard phase of preparation in Ochsenhausen few weeks ago. I am ready I guess !”

GAUZY as everybodu else awaits the outcome of the draw. “I don’t have any expectations as I know the draw is very important . I’m lucky to be in the top 32 seeded and I will do my best to go to last 32 and maybe get a good performance after that !”

Who is the favorite for the title? “For me ZHANG Jike will be 3 times World Champion in 2 weeks.”

Carole GRUNDISCH lays at position no. 74 whilst XIAN is at position no. 93. XIAN won silver medal at the European Championships in 2012. In 2013 at the Worlds Championships she reached Round of 32.

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