Nigeria’s top-ranked table tennis player, Aruna Quadri, saw his ambition of becoming the first African player to reach the semi-finals at the WTT Finals thwarted on Thursday. Aruna faced a tough challenge against World Number 1, Fan Zhendong of China, ultimately losing 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-4).
Aruna Quadri had advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the world number five, in a thrilling Round of 16 match with a 3-2 score. However, Zhendong’s dominance over the Nigerian player continued at the Infinity Arena in Doha.
Despite Aruna’s efforts to match Zhendong’s power and shots, the Chinese champion showcased his prowess, preventing any successful attempts by the African champion to secure a victory.
Zhendong, aiming for his second WTT Finals title after winning the Men’s Singles trophy in 2021, demonstrated resilience against Aruna, who had only managed to win one game in their four encounters to date.
Although Aruna Quadri displayed determination, especially in the second game, Zhendong’s command halted any potential comeback. This quarterfinal finish marks the end of Aruna’s quest in the WTT Finals, matching his performance at the WTT Cup Finals in 2021.
While Aruna’s journey in this edition concludes, his achievements and contributions continue to highlight the growing prowess of African players on the international table tennis stage.
