Less than 24 hours after celebrating his gold medal win in the table tennis mixed doubles, China’s Wang Chuqin suffered a shock exit in the singles event to Sweden's Truls Moregard, who played a spectacular match to advance to the round of 16 on Wednesday.
For the 22-year-old Moregard, it was his second ever victory over a Chinese player in international competition.
An ecstatic Moregard celebrated by shouting to the crowd, dancing on the floor, and drawing energy from spectators chanting his name.
"I have almost never taken a set against Wang, so it's crazy to win here," Moregard said. "I think how I played in the tactical game was really clever, and I didn't feel that he had his best day at the beginning."
The Swede won the first two games against world No. 1 Wang, who then fought back to even the score. In the critical fifth game, Wang narrowed the gap from 4-8 to 8-8 but eventually lost 9-11.
Chinese and European fans were divided in their support at the packed stadium, a rare sight for Moregard.
"I love the situation," Moregard said. "I’ve played tournaments where no one is watching, and I'm really nervous. So this atmosphere is fantastic, and I really enjoy it."
Wang, who had to switch to a backup paddle after the one he has been using during the Olympics was damaged by photographers, conceded that while it briefly affected his emotions, it was not the reason for his loss.
"I think the main reason was my own poor performance, which gave Moregard more opportunities," Wang said. "I made a lot of mistakes, which gradually put me in a disadvantageous position."
The burden of achieving China's ambition for a gold medal sweep in table tennis now falls on Fan Zhendong, the only player left to defend China’s title in the men’s singles event. Fan advanced to the next round after defeating Hong Kong's Wong Chun Ting with a 4-1 victory.
In other notable performances, U.S. male player Kanak Jha achieved a personal best by advancing to the round of 16 after defeating Greece's Panagiotis Gionis 4-2. Frenchwoman Yuan Jia Nan also made it to the Round of 16, coming from behind to secure a 4-1 victory against Canada's Zhang Mo.
Lebrun brothers have splits results, big fan following
Spectators are wearing jerseys covered in French flags and belting out the French national anthem, but they are not cheering for the national football team at the Stade de France. Instead, they're roaring on two brothers in the Paris Olympics' table tennis competition.
Felix and Alexis Lebrun, 17 and 20, with similar looks but very different playing styles, have drawn in French fans, channeling their pride in a typically less popular event in the country.
The South Paris Arena 4 has been full when the Lebrun brothers play. Among the spectators on Wednesday was football great and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, who showed up to cheer the pair on.
Many French fans say that it's the first time for them to watch table tennis live and that they got into it because of the Lebruns. It was a mixed day for the fans, though, as the brothers' journeys diverged at the Round of 16.
Felix fought off a perseverant Dimitrij Ovtcharov after a 7-game match, but Alexis went down against higher-ranked Brazilian Hugo Calderano. He was emotional and tried to hold back the tears as the crowd chanted his name after he was beaten 4-1.
"Playing in front of a crowd like that was amazing. I really enjoyed it. But it's also why I’m very sad, because I was hoping to continue, and it's painful to lose in front of so many people," said Alexis.
To fans, it was still a great experience. Mathis Sarazin, 14, a student in Paris, had his father take him and his younger brother to the Lebruns' matches on Wednesday. A football lover, he has never touched a table tennis paddle but said he was captivated by the speed in matches.
"I didn't follow table tennis before. Then I discovered the brothers on the news," Sarazin said. "They're my age, so I feel I can relate to them."
While Alexis Lebrun's Paris singles campaign may have ended, he will continue to fight for a medal for the French in the team event, and he said he felt proud to raise awareness of the sport alongside his brother.
"I love table tennis, so I'm very happy more and more people are discovering this sport. I think we’re making quite a good promotion for it, so I’m very proud to be part of that," he said.
61-year-old Ni's dream run ends in defeat by China's Sun
Luxembourg's former China table tennis player Ni Xialian's sixth Olympics was cut short on Wednesday by Chinese top seed Sun Yingsha, who the 61-year-old helped train this week to prepare for opponents with an unusual paddle in the mixed doubles final.
For Ni, a former world champion with China who now represents Luxembourg, her stint in Paris was a dream come true.
"I am very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to play against Shasha, the world No. 1," said Ni, who lost 4-0 in the Round of 32.
"I truly had my eyes opened to what it means to be the world No. 1.
"Many shots that would score in other games were just like scratching an itch for her, barely affecting her at all."
Ni, world champion in 1983, is the oldest athlete competing in table tennis at the Paris Games.
She moved to Luxembourg in the late 1980s after winning two world championship gold medals for China.
Ni missed the 1996 Olympics because she did not want to represent anyone but China, although she had a change of heart years later after realizing sport is not just about nationality.
Still nimble on court, Ni attributed her extended career to the fundamental skills she learned in China, as well as support from her team in Luxembourg, including her coach and husband Tommy Danielsson.
When China's team contacted her for help before Tuesday's mixed doubles final to get used to the unusual style of paddle the North Korean team uses she jumped at the chance.
"I believe each of us should have a sense of gratitude. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to give back and to help our Chinese team," Ni said.
China's Sun and Wang Chuqin beat North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong 4-2 in the mixed doubles final, the first step in what could be a Chinese gold medal sweep in the sport.
Ni's valiant defeat at the hands of Sun earned her a kiss from her husband, a standing ovation in the packed stadium, and words of encouragement from Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and his wife, who had come to cheer for her.
"With such recognition from them, what more could I ask for? This is enough to fulfill my life," Ni added.
Three years ago in Tokyo, she thought she was at her last Olympics. Ni is not so quick to call Paris her last now.
"I don't dare to think about this question," she said.
For Sun, the 23-year-old who won her first gold medal on Tuesday, playing against "Auntie Ni" was an inspiration.
"I never thought about having a career like Auntie Ni," she said. "Seeing her still competing on the court is truly inspiring for us younger athletes. We can always look up to her as a role model."
Olympic table tennis results, July 31
Full Olympic table tennis results from Wednesday, July 31: