Quadri Aruna and his compatriot Bode Abiodun yesterday showed their class against Belarus’ Aleksandr Khanin and India’s Anthony Amalraj as the Nigerians defeated their opponents to advance to the second round of the Men’s Singles at the on-going at the 2021 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships.
Listed among the top 32 seeds, Aruna did not start well against his Belarusian opponent but raised his game from the first set to put the entire match beyond the European to progress to the second round.
“I am so happy that I won today, but it was not an easy match because the first match of every competition is always very tough. However, I think I raised my game from the first game to ensure I dominated the match. I am here to give my best as usual, and I want to be a good ambassador of my country here in Houston,” Aruna said after the match.
Meanwhile, Abiodun was on the brink of defeat but recovered to defeat his Indian opponent 4-3 in an entertaining encounter.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s duo of Khalid Assar and Yousra Helmy suffered an early exit in the singles after losing their first-round ties to their European counterparts.
It was Assar that first stated defeat as he was beaten 4-0 by Hungary’s Adam Szudi in the Men’s Singles while Helmy also suffered the same fate against Ukraine’s Margaryta Pesotska.
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