Aruna Quadri strengthened his standing as one of the top table tennis players with an incredible 4–2 win over Benedikt Duda of Germany to reach the round of 16 of the 2025 ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
The victory, sealed at the Lusail Hall on Tuesday, ensures he is the only African standing as far as the men’s singles category is concerned following the exit of Egypt’s Omar Assar in the second round.
Despite entering the tie with a 1–2 head-to-head record against Duda who is left handed, Aruna delivered a performance that justifies his experience at the top level.
He took the opening set 11–9, only for Duda to respond immediately with an 11–4 win in the second. Aruna changed his tactics in the third set, exploiting Duda’s forehand to take the set 11–8.
A contentious service fault call in the fourth set saw him lose focus briefly, resulting in an 11–2 loss.
But the Nigerian displayed trademark grit in the fifth set, battling back from 3–9 down to level at 9–9 and eventually stealing it 12–10 in a stunning turnaround.
Buoyed by that comeback, Aruna held firm in the sixth set to close out the match 11–9 for a 4-2 victory.
He will face Hugo Calderano tomorrow (Thursday) in the last 16 tie.