Alexis Lebrun vs Ryoichi Yoshiyama | MS QF | #WTTAstana 2026

Wonderful forehand. Yoshiyama's going to have to be clever with his placement here. Definitely leaned down in recent times. And this is where he's good. He might be the best in the world at getting four. Even Ruse Kawakami was applauding on the bench there. So far for Alexey. Yeah, if Yoshiyama is to do anything. Whoo! Hit that hard. Worth mentioning, awaiting the winner here in the semifinal. Chinese gunslinger touch Merchant with the forehand. It's a different technique to trawls. Trawls and his younger brother, Felix, will come in. Drop blocks. All the tricks are coming out. 16-year-old coach, Ruse Kawakami, to try and work out how they land a dent on it. A bit of soft touch back. Sparking. Alexey LeBrun now has five game points. Alaye LeBleu, he started fast. To a big counter from the Frenchman. OK, Yoshiyama. So many ways to win a table tennis point, but he can do it so well. Remember, he went 6-0 down in the opener. Half-long against Alexey. It's got to be either dead short or long towards that back line. Because once he starts swinging. Control the demons a little bit better. He's able to not boil over as much. He's able to control points like this. Of course, he'll always rely on that defensive game if he needs to, where he steps back. But he seems far less willing to do it. Alexey showing the difference between a good European, like a team legitimate top 10. Just watch. He's just in complete control. Forehand touch. Alexey's world is there. And even that. Backhand up the line. Nonchalant game point. Number one seed. And he is feeling it here in Astana. And risk a really decent forehand touch coming your way. Played that one with a little bit of topspin. Oh! What was that serve? Came in to play it with the backhand. And the ball almost hopped over him and he played it forehand. That is a wonderful one. Again, when we get a chance. This is much better though from Ryuichi. It's the right thing. You've got to get him moving side to side. Backhand punch. He's loose. It's like a cooked spaghetti. And that's where all his power comes from. And that's where... Oh, a little bit of frustration from Alexey Beliks. Like to let off a little bit of steam. He's predicting it much better. Oh, he's got one of his own. Oh, it's the third. The youngster is showing for Yoshiyama. For his own forehand. Half long. That's the fourth one recently. Big chokers. Oh, big point breakdown has now leveled it. This is what Alexey can do that no one for the tennis. That is the third time that serve has popped up. But second time recently. Number one seed. Two match points. Can't get opportunity. Yoshiyama just up in his level. Or is it Alexey Lebrun playing with his food a little bit? Alexey went into hold mode. Now he's got match point again. Number one seed into the semifinal. Alexey Lebrun pumps the celebration where he's going to meet Joji Hao tomorrow. That is absolutely mouthwatering.