Table Tennis: Aruna set to battle Germany’s Walther in WTT Frankfurt
By Tosin Omojola
Quadri Aruna is set to face a tough challenge against Germany’s Ricardo Walther on Wednesday in the second round of the Men’s Singles at the WTT Champions Frankfurt.
The Nigerian star, currently ranked world No. 21, made headlines with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over world No. 8 Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan in his opening match at the Süwag Energie Arena.
The win over Harimoto marks Aruna’s second victory at the WTT Champions, following his initial success last week at the WTT Champions Montpellier.
Meanwhile, Walther, who is making his debut at the WTT Champions, began his campaign with a convincing 3-0 win (11-6, 12-10, 11-9) over Spain’s Alvaro Robles in the first round on Tuesday, November 5.
The upcoming encounter is familiar ground for both players, as Aruna and Walther have previously met in the German Bundesliga.
A win for Aruna would be historic, making him the first African male player to reach the quarterfinal stage of the WTT Champions—an achievement mirrored by Egypt’s Hana Goda in the women’s category at the WTT Champions Montpellier.
The clash promises high excitement, with the world No. 60 Walther going up against the higher-ranked Aruna. The German fans will be backing their local hero, while Aruna, who has become a popular figure in Germany after his 2014 ITTF World Cup run in Düsseldorf, may have less support compared to his match against Harimoto.
Aruna’s success in the German Bundesliga has opened doors for many African players to join the prestigious league, and he continues to be a fan favorite across the country.
The stage is set for a fierce battle, with Aruna hoping to make history in Frankfurt.
