Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has finished in the top four at the ITTF’s second most prestigious tournament held in Bulgaria.
In a report posted by NEWFANZONE, Aruna fought his way to the semifinal as the first African to achieve such feat, Quadri showed his class against the German number one with the out-of-this-world display that has been touted as one of the best matches in table tennis this year.
In the report written on the encounter by ITTF Publication Director, Ian Marshall, the battle between the two continental champions was tagged clash of backhand and forehand.
“Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the owner of one of the most effective backhands of the modern era, Quadri Aruna with his expansive forehand; add the two together and the equation resulted in spectacular rallies that delighted the appreciative crowd. Controlling the play, Dimitrij Ovtcharov secured the opening game;
Quadri Aruna replied to win a close second but did not immediately capitalise on the success. Dimitrij Ovtcharov established a 5-1 lead in the third game but chasing every ball, burning holes in his shoes,
Quadri Aruna won the next four points to level matters. He went ahead 7-6 prompting Dimitrij Ovtcharov to call “Time Out”, the advantage worked but not in favour of the German. At 10-7 Quadri Aruna held three games points, the first was saved but not the second; Quadri Aruna led by two games to one. An injection of confidence, buzzing,
Quadri Aruna sped into an 8-4 lead in the fourth. Dimitrij Ovtcharov reduced the arrears to one point at 8-7; now Quadri Aruna called “Time Out”. Once again the pause worked in his favour. He surrendered just one more point; a three games to one lead was established.”
