Hugo Calderano showcased his dominance over Alexis Lebrun in their round of 64 match at the China Smash 2024 Presented by Zhonghui Life, securing a straight games victory with scores of 11-7, 11-9, and 13-11. As the second seed, Calderano wasted no time in displaying his prowess, beginning the match with intense focus and energy, contrasting his occasional slow starts in previous WTT Grand Smash events.
Throughout the match, Calderano's precision and strategic play enabled him to find and exploit gaps in Lebrun's defense. By positioning himself just a step back from the table, he effectively countered the unpredictability of his opponent's shots. His strong receiving skills significantly neutralized Lebrun's creative serves, allowing him to control the tempo and flow of the game.
Reflecting on his performance, Calderano acknowledged the challenge posed by Lebrun, stating, "It was a great match for me. Everyone knows he’s very dangerous. I knew I had to be at my best to win this match today." He expressed satisfaction with his serving and receiving, emphasizing how these aspects contributed to his ability to close out the match efficiently.
While Calderano's success against Lebrun has been remarkable—achieving four consecutive victories without dropping a game—he insists there are no hidden strategies behind it. "It's just tactics," he explained. Meanwhile, his partner, Bruna Takahashi, also excelled, defeating 12th seed Xiaoxin Yang in an impressive upset, showcasing the strength of this dynamic table tennis duo.
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