ITTF World Championship: Aruna Quadri advances to third round
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has advanced to the third round of the 2025 ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, keeping Africa’s hopes alive in the tournament.
Aruna opened strong, taking the first set 11-7, but Norway’s Haug responded with a commanding 11-3 win in the second. The Nigerian reclaimed the lead with an 11-8 third set, but Haug levelled again, winning the fourth set by the same margin.
Despite both players showcasing a range of techniques, Aruna’s powerful serves proved decisive. He regained momentum with an 11-7 win in the fifth set.
The sixth set was the most dramatic. Aruna led 9-7, but Haug fought back to tie at 9-9. After both players traded points to 10-10, Aruna held his nerve to win the next two points, sealing the set 12-10 and the match 4-2.
With the win, Aruna remains the only African male player left in the Men’s Singles event and will next face Germany’s Benedikt Duda in the third round.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Kabirat Ayoola were eliminated from the Mixed Doubles after falling in the second round to a South Korean pair.
