WTT Finals: Quadri Aruna bows out gallantly in Doha

Quadri Aruna’s good run at the WTT Finals Doha 2023 came to a gallant end on Thursday January 4 after suffering a 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-4) defeat against world number one Fan Zhendong of China.

The Chinese has dominated the Nigerian in their last four meetings dropping only a game in all their ties, and at the Infinity Arena in Doha, Zhendong showed why he remains the world best by thwarting all attempts by the African champion to turn the tide.

Both players matched themselves power for power and shots for shots but it was the Asian champion that prevailed in the first quarterfinal of the tournament.

Aruna and Zhendong brought fireworks in a must-watch start to the day’s action, as two of the sport’s hardest hitters entertained the spectators with their intermittent rallies that were greeted with applause from the fans. They both put their power to the test.

The Chinese is going for his second WTT Finals title after lifting the Men’s Singles trophy in 2021, and he was able to fend off Aruna’s efforts having dropped just one game in their four encounters to date.

Aruna’s fightback in the second game was halted and this prevented the Nigerian from exceeding his quarterfinal finish at the WTT Finals.

This is the second time the Nigerian will be playing in the quarterfinal of the tournament as he matched his performance at WTT Cup Finals 2021. But the icing on the cake for the African super star was the fight back from two games down in his opening round contest against Hugo Calderano of Brazil.

Aruna’s bid of setting a new record as the first African player to reach the semi-final at the WTT Finals came to an end with the loss to the Chinese sensation.