Quadri Aruna has crashed out of the men’s singles event at the ongoing World Table Tennis (WTT) US Smash in Las Vegas, following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto in a thrilling round of 32 clash at the Orleans Arena.
Harimoto, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, started strongly and dominated the first set with an emphatic 11-1 win. However, Quadri responded impressively, taking the second and third sets 11-8, 11-8, and getting the crowd behind him in the process.
The 22-year-old Japanese star regained momentum, clinching the final two sets 11-8 and 11-5 to seal a 3-2 victory and secure his place in the round of 16. Quadri, ranked No. 20 in the world, thus exited the tournament despite a spirited performance.
Harimoto will next face his compatriot Sora Matsushima in the round of 16.
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Earlier, Quadri had advanced to the round of 32 after defeating China’s Zhou Qihao in straight sets (11-9, 11-8, 11-7). Zhou is currently ranked No. 37 in the world.
Africa’s other representative in the men’s singles, Omar Assar, also bowed out after losing to Denmark’s Jonathan Groth, the world No. 25.
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