The second day of the French Championships continued at the Marcel Cerdan Sports Center in Levallois, delivering an action-packed morning and early afternoon filled with thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. Among the highlights were the emotional farewell of Emmanuel Lebesson and the outstanding performances of young talents Nina Guo Zheng, Léana Hochart, and Romain Brard.
The women's competition witnessed two major upsets that shook the tournament. Defending champion Camille Lutz managed to secure her spot in the next round, overcoming 14-year-old Alexia Nodin in a hard-fought 4-2 victory. However, the day belonged to the young rising stars, particularly Nina Guo Zheng. At just 14 years old, she delivered the biggest shock of the tournament by eliminating the number one seed, Prithika Pavade, with a commanding 4-1 victory. Meanwhile, Léana Hochart pulled off an incredible comeback against two-time finalist Charlotte Lutz, prevailing 4-3 in a gripping encounter.
Elsewhere in the women's draw, Nolwenn Fort edged out Isa Cok in a seven-set thriller (4-3), while Anaïs Salpin and Pauline Chasselin advanced by defeating Claire Picard (4-2) and Agathe Avezou (4-0), respectively. The 2023 French champion, Audrey Zarif, also booked her place in the quarter-finals with a 4-2 win over Lucie Gauthier, while Océane Guisnel secured a solid 4-1 victory against Bérénice Marteau.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the young sensation Nina Guo Zheng to see if she can continue her remarkable run and challenge for the title. The French Championships are proving to be a stage for both experienced champions and emerging talents, promising even more excitement in the upcoming rounds.
Source: FFTT