Aruna Quadri is the only African still in contention at the ongoing ITTF World Championships after the Nigerian defeated Iran’s Nima Alamian 4-3 in the second round of the men’s singles.
Earlier in the day, Egypt’s Omar Assar has exited the tournament after losing 3-4 to Portugal’s Joao Geraldo in the first round and the only African female player in the competition, Egypt’s Dina Meshref joined her compatriot in playing her last game in the tournament.
To exit in the second round, Meshref fell 3-4 to Canada’s Mo Zhang.
But Aruna Quadri raised the continent flag with his near-perfect performance against the Iranian in one of the centre tables of the competition.
From the start of the competition, the Iranian was as if he was going to take down the Nigerian early after claiming 11-9 win in the first game but Quadri fought back to win the next two games at 12-10, 13-11.
It was as if Quadri was coasting to victory but the clever Iranian restored parity with 11-8 win in the fourth game.
Like a true African champion, Quadri put everything into the game and he was rewarded with another win in the fifth game with 11-5.
Even when it was clear that the game was beyond the reach of the Iranian in the sixth game, the Iranian used his service to disturb Quadri and he claimed the victory in the sixth game at 13-11.
The seventh game which was the decider was going in favour of Quadri with the Nigerian leading at 5-0 when both players changed side but the fans were left fuming as the Iranian leveled up at 5-5 to put the game into a dicey stage.
Even when Quadri lead at 9-7, the Iranian caught up with him at 9-9 and got to 10 before the Nigerian. Through sheer determination, Quadri deuced the encounter to put the game in a tensed period.
But a powerful stroke by Quadri gave him an 11-10 lead and the final service from the Iranian was bundled into the forehand of the Iranian by Quadri and a costly mistake made Alamian to ballooned the ball to the crowd to the excitement of the Nigerian to win at 12-10 with an overall 4-3 win.
On Wednesday, Quadri will face the biggest task in Budapest as he is expected to face world number one – China’s Fan Zhendong in the third round match of the men’s singles as the only Africa’s hope in the tournament.