It was a crazy day at the WTT Star Contender Muscat 2025, with seeds falling and underdogs rising at Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stealing the show was qualifier Vladimir Sidorenko, who sent shockwaves across the arena with his spectacular 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8 win over sixth seed Simon Gauzy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The odds were stacked against World No.107 Sidorenko, as he stepped up to the table to face Gauzy, one of the sport\u2019s finest players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A match defined by drama, Sidorenko shot out of the gates with a stellar start, leading Gauzy 7-2. But the World No.18 began to build momentum, hitting back with a remarkable recovery to take the game 10-12, and with it, the first advantage in the heated battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second game was nip and tuck throughout, with neither player showing any real signs of pulling ahead. Play was locked at 9-9, but it was Sidorenko\u2019s turn to get his name on the scoreboard, the 23-year-old claiming two points on the trot to level proceedings at one game apiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a comfortable third game going the way of the Frenchman, and a tight fourth awarded to Sidorenko, fans were in for a treat, as play entered a deciding game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Off like a rocket, Sidorenko shot ahead, increasing a 6-2 lead to 10-3. Despite the overwhelming scoreline, though, Gauzy didn\u2019t give in, the Frenchman winning the next five points, bringing the duel to a boiling point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet at 10-8, Gauzy was unable to convert, leaving Sidorenko to take the game 11-8, knocking the Frenchman from the title race in Muscat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Felix Lebrun reached a new significant career milestone, taking down Feng Yi-Hsin 13-11, 11-6, 11-9 to complete his 100th match win on the WTT stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The young Frenchman, whose first senior match win came at WTT Contender Lasko 2021, has come a long way since that victory over Alfonso Olave four years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n