Quadri Aruna, Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player, achieved a significant milestone in his career with a stunning comeback victory over world No. 5 Hugo Calderano at the WTT Finals in Doha.
Despite trailing for most of the match at the Infinity Arena, Aruna orchestrated an impressive turnaround, saving a match point in the third set. The Nigerian secured a remarkable 3-2 (7-11, 2-11, 11-9, 12-10, 12-10) win over Calderano, advancing to the quarterfinals of the men’s singles in Qatar.
Reflecting on his historic win, Aruna, ranked 16th globally, expressed his joy and excitement, emphasising the significance of defeating an opponent he had never beaten before.
“I cannot describe how it feels, but I’m very happy and excited,” he said.
Facing a 0:2 deficit in head-to-head encounters against Calderano, Aruna found himself in a challenging situation. However, he credited his coach for motivating him during the match, stating, “My coach was telling me, ‘don’t give up and keep fighting’; one set could actually make a difference, and it did make a big difference. I listen to him very much. I believe so much in him, and I was just doing what he told me to do.”
Aruna showcased acrobatic table tennis skills and powerful forehands, ultimately securing the comeback victory. This win serves as a significant confidence boost for the 35-year-old Nigerian player.
Having defeated Calderano, Aruna is set to face the current World No. 1, China’s Fan Zhendong, in the upcoming quarterfinal on Thursday. Zhendong advanced by defeating 14th-ranked Slovenian Darko Jorgic in another quarterfinal encounter.
