WTT Doha: Aruna Wins Chinese Star

WTT Doha: Aruna Wins Chinese Star

By Editor

Pained by last week’s early exit, Quadri Aruna yesterday recorded an important win over Chinese star, Liu Dingshuo, in the Men’s Singles of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender in Doha.

Aruna, who recently dropped to 14th in the ITTF ranking, got a bye to the second round based on his world rating and was pitched against the Chinese who recently defeated him at the WTT Muscat, Oman.

But the tide turned against the Chinese as Aruna matched him power-for-power and shots-for-shots in the entertaining encounter on table three at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha.

In the third game, Aruna was leading until his opponent caught up with him at 9-9 to end the tie at 12-10 for the Chinese to take a 2-1 lead. Yet, Aruna comported himself and he won most of the rallies to win the fourth game at 11-9.

The deciding fifth game was tilting towards Aruna as he led from the start but his lead was thwarted when the tie turned 6-6.

Unforced errors from Aruna gifted his opponent crucial two points for the encounter to be 8-6 in favour of the Chinese. And a spirited effort from Aruna paid off as he picked the next five points to win the tie at 11-6 to the chagrin of the Chinese team.

“I am happy because it was a difficult match but I was able to stay through and this paid off for me as I look forward to the last 16 tie tomorrow,” a delighted Aruna told Tidesport source.

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