Prithika Pavade and Simon Gauzy eliminated in the round of 16 at the World Table Tennis Championships

There are no longer any French players in the women's draw at the World Table Tennis Championships in Doha. On Thursday, May 22, Prithika Pavade, world number 26, lost to the very versatile Wang Yidi. The 30-year-old Chinese player, who is ranked ^4th in the world rankings, was more accurate on serve, uncompromising in return and in rallies, and left only crumbs to her opponent, ten years her junior (11-7, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8).

It's also over for Simon Gauzy, who was defeated 4-2 (9-11, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8) by the world number 2, China's Wan Chuqin, after a delightful encounter. The world ^number 43, with a determined look as he entered table 1 at the Lusail Arena, made a successful start to the match, producing – as usual – some spectacular rallies thanks to his defensive ball skills. By winning the first two sets, he sowed doubt in the mind of his opponent, who had not lost a single set in the competition so far (2-0).

Buoyed by the Chinese supporters, Wang Chuqin then found the resources to raise his level of play and come back to level (2-2), despite a combative Simon Gauzy, who was very close to making him falter in the fourth set. The fifth set escaped him due to too many unforced errors (2-3). "Simon the emotions" , as he is nicknamed in the French team, conceded defeat in a close sixth set while his rival found the best of his forehand.

The day isn't over in Doha, where Félix Lebrun is also due to play in the round of 16. At 6:40 p.m. Paris time, the world number 6 will face Korean Jeahyun An, ^17th in the WTT rankings. At the same time, French pair Florian Bourrassaud and Estban Dorr, world number 4, will challenge Spanish-Romanian duo Alvaro Robles and Ovidiu Ionescu, 2019 runner-up.