“It's just a horror show” - Fans call out Harmeet Desai’s poor performance against Felix Lebrun in Paris 2024 Olympics
After the jubilation of Manu Bhaker’s bronze medal win in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian fans suffered heartbreak after table tennis player Harmeet Desai suffered a second-round exit as he lost to France’s Felix Lebrun in the men’s singles table tennis event on Sunday, July 28.
Indian fans called out the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist on social media for his lackluster performance on the big stage.
“It's just a horror show from him [Desai] today. Yes Felix is world no. 5 but he missed some sitters and did unforced errors which he didn't do in the 1st game,” one fan wrote on X.
One fan praised the 17-year-old table tennis prodigy Felix Lebrun, but termed Desai a beginner based on his performance.
“Lebrun is too good a player, just 17 years of age and already world number 5. CWG gold medalist Harmeet Desai looked like a beginner infront of him,” the fan wrote.
“@HarmeetDesai what a disappointing game played by you. No fight at all against the 17 year old French man good played,” one fan commented.
One fan criticized the choice of fielding Desai in the Paris 2024 Olympics, writing:
“How Harmeet Desai is playing ahead of Manav Thakkar and Ganesh Sathiyaan both are higher ranked [than] Harmeet Desai?”
Harmeet Desai suffers crushing defeat in Paris 2024 Olympics second round
After a straight-set victory against Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman in the men’s singles preliminary round match on Saturday, Desai would have been confident of his chances against the home favorite Felix Lebrun.
However, any chance of Desai progressing through was completely crushed by Lebrun, who is considered one of the most talented table tennis players despite his young age. Lebrun dominated the proceedings of the match against his 31-year-old opponent and won the match with the scoreline of 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8.
Despite what the scoreline might denote, Lebrun was in control of the game. Enjoying massive fan support at his home ground, he did not allow Desai any chance of making a comeback in the game.