The 96th French National Championships concluded in Laval with Prithika PAVADE and Félix LEBRUN capturing the singles crowns after three days of high-quality competition played in front of nearly 13,000 spectators at the Espace Mayenne.
For PAVADE, it marked a return to the top of French table tennis. The world No. 31 secured her second national singles title, four years after first lifting the trophy in 2022. Entering the event as the top seed, she lived up to expectations but was pushed to the limit by Isa COK in a dramatic seven-game final.
PAVADE started strongly, taking the opening game 11-3, before COK responded to move ahead 2-1. The former champion regained control with victories in the fourth and fifth games, only to see her opponent force a deciding seventh game. In the end, PAVADE produced a composed finish to seal the title with an 11-4 victory in the decider.
The triumph makes her a two-time French singles champion and confirms her return to the summit of the domestic game after several years without reaching the national final.
In the men’s singles event, the now traditional showdown between brothers Alexis and Félix LEBRUN once again delivered. For the fourth consecutive year, the two stars met in the national final, adding another chapter to one of the sport’s most compelling rivalries.
Félix established an early advantage by taking the opening two games before Alexis fought back to narrow the gap. The defending champion appeared to regain control in the fourth game, but Alexis refused to surrender and forced a tense sixth game. With the title on the line, Félix proved stronger in the decisive moments, edging the final game 12-10 to successfully defend his crown.
The victory gives Félix LEBRUN his second consecutive French national singles title and further underlines the dominance of the LEBRUN brothers on the French table tennis scene.
The women’s doubles title went to the young partnership of Nina GUO ZHENG and Léana HOCHART. Seeded second, the pair completed a remarkable comeback in the final against Camille LUTZ and Audrey ZARIF.
Trailing by two games, the 16-year-old GUO ZHENG and 18-year-old HOCHART battled back to level the match before saving a match point in a dramatic deciding game. Their 12-10 success secured a first senior national title for both players.
The men’s doubles competition produced another memorable comeback. Jules ROLLAND and Léo DE NODREST overturned a two-game deficit against Félix LEBRUN and Grégoire JEAN to claim the title.
Having already survived several five-game encounters during the tournament, ROLLAND and DE NODREST once again showed resilience, winning three consecutive games to complete the comeback and secure the national crown.
PAVADE completed an outstanding championship by adding the mixed doubles title alongside Can AKKUZU. The pair prevailed in a thrilling five-game final against Léana HOCHART and Thibault PORET.
After exchanging momentum throughout the match, PAVADE and AKKUZU produced their best table tennis in the deciding game to secure victory and their first French mixed doubles title together. For PAVADE, it represented a second mixed doubles crown after previously winning the event in 2023, while AKKUZU celebrated his first national mixed doubles title.
PHOTO: Remy GROS
Men’s Singles
Félix LEBRUN – Alexis LEBRUN 4-2 (13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 3-11, 12-10)
Podium
- 1. Félix LEBRUN
- 2. Alexis LEBRUN
- 3. Flavien COTON, Simon GAUZY
Women’s Singles
Prithika PAVADE – Isa COK 4-3 (11-3, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4)
Podium
- 1. Prithika PAVADE
- 2. Isa COK
- 3. Cléa DE STOPPELEIRE, Léana HOCHART
Women’s Doubles Final
Nina GUO ZHENG / Léana HOCHART – Camille LUTZ / Audrey ZARIF 3-2 (2-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10)
Men’s Doubles Final
Jules ROLLAND / Léo DE NODREST – Félix LEBRUN / Grégoire JEAN 3-2 (5-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9)
Mixed Doubles Final
Prithika PAVADE / Can AKKUZU – Léana HOCHART / Thibault PORET 3-2 (8-11, 11-6, 14-12, 12-14, 11-5)
