Quadri Aruna reaffirmed his status as a world-class player with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Germany’s Benedikt Duda, securing a place in the fourth round of the Men’s Singles at the 2025 ITTF World Championships, taking place at Lusail Hall in Doha, Qatar.
The Nigerian star remains the continent’s sole representative in the Men’s Singles, following the second-round exit of Egypt’s Omar Assar on Monday. Aruna delivered a commanding display against the left-handed German, overturning a 1-2 deficit in their previous meetings.
He started strongly, claiming the opening set 11-9, though Duda struck back decisively with an 11-4 win in the second. Aruna adjusted his strategy in the third set, exploiting Duda’s forehand to edge an 11-8 victory.
Also Read: ITTF 2025: Nigerian Trio Suffer Early Exit as Aruna Advances
A disputed service fault at 2-2 in the fourth set appeared to unsettle Aruna, who went on to lose the game 11-2. Nevertheless, the Nigerian exhibited exceptional composure in the fifth set, staging a remarkable comeback from 3-9 down to level at 9-9 before sealing it 12-10.
Riding the momentum, Aruna dominated the sixth set with powerful forehand loops and accurate placements, closing out the match 11-9 to claim a 4-2 triumph.
Commentators commended Aruna’s resilience and tactical acumen, particularly his ability to remain calm under pressure and turn the match around when it mattered most.
The 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships finals, now in their 58th edition, are ongoing in Doha from 17 to 25 May. The prestigious tournament features elite players from 127 member associations, competing across five events: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
