After a strong quarterfinal against Poland (3-2) table tennis players Ben Despineux and Laurens Devos were today in the semifinals of the world championship.
The Belgians took on Lev Kats and Ivan Mai from Ukraine, the first seed in this tournament. An extremely difficult task for the duo.
Our compatriots started the match very strongly and easily took the first two sets with 7-11 and 3-11.
The third went to the Kats-Mai (11-8). In the fourth set it went evenly and at 9-10 the Belgians left a match ball, after which the opponents took the game to themselves.
In an almost equally exciting fifth set, Ukraine was again stronger (8-11).
“We will take a medal and achieve our goal,” says two-time Paralympic singles champion Laurens Devos after the game. “That’s great, but there was more to it given that match ball.”
“The play went smoothly. We have been playing doubles together since 2015. This was definitely one of our best tournaments in terms of level.”
The same feeling prevails with Ben Despineux. “It was so close,” he begins. “We had the hardest draw, but we believed in it. I would have liked to have played my first World Cup final, so I’m a bit sad now.”
“This is hopeful for future tournaments and towards the Paris 2024 Games,” the duo concludes.
Doubles is a Paralympic discipline and is on the program of the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024.
The singles at the world championship starts tomorrow.
