Swedish sensation Truls Moregard continued his domination over Quadri Aruna as the Swede claimed a 3-0 victory over the Nigerian in the second round of the WTT Star Contender Doha 2024.
The Swede had taken down ‘the King of Africa’ when he made his standout performance at the 2021 ITTF World Championships with a 4-2 (13-11, 11-8, 2-11, 11-4, 12-14, 11-7) in the quarterfinal of the men’s singles in United States and on Thursday January 11, he showed his clear reign over Aruna with another 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-7) to bundle out the Nigerian from the tournament.
Aruna did not play his best game against the European star as all his forehand shots failed to hit the right target while several unforced errors caused his loss in the one-sided encounter played at the Lusail Sports Centre in Doha, Qatar.
The defeat ruled out Aruna from a potential progress to the last 16 as the Swede will advance with an intention to improve his world rating through the tournament.
Now in 2024, Moregard is chasing his next big win as he tries to bounce back up the rankings. Next up for the Swede is a round of 16 face-off with Wang Chuqin of China.
Six-time African champion Dina Meshref was also bundled out in the second round by Korea’s Joo Cheonhui after the Egyptian was defeated 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-4).
Also, Japanese teenage sensation Sora Matsushima is through to the last 16 of the Men’s Singles draw after mounting a stunning comeback charge against compatriot and No.10 seed Tomokazu Harimoto (8-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10) on a drama-packed Day 2.
At just 16 years of age, Matsushima is fast becoming one of the sport’s most exciting young prospects, and didn’t shy away from the challenge as he met face-to-face with Japanese compatriot Harimoto in round of 32 action.
Meeting for the first time on the world stage, 20-year-old Harimoto had the odds stacked in his favour as the more seasoned pro, and he couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match, winning the opening two games. But the World No.10 would leave the table in shock as Matsushima went for the jugular, throwing down the gauntlet to win three games in a row, stunning all in attendance at Lusail Sports Arena.
No.3 seed Ma Long nearly met the same fate as Harimoto on Day 2, with the reigning Olympic champion requiring all five games to see off Benedikt Duda (11-4, 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7).
Bringing his ‘A Game’ for the second day running, Duda produced another spectacular effort as he bid to follow his notable win over Timo Boll with another headline upset, leading Ma after three games. However, the Dragon eventually found his spark, regrouping late on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Romanian star Bernadette Szocs is out of the Women’s Singles running following a frustrating day at the office.
Taking on Sweden’s Linda Bergstrom on Day 2, Szocs held a commanding 8:3 lead in the head-to-head standings against the Swedish defender, but had lost their last two showdowns. After today’s proceedings, Bergstrom now makes it three wins on the bounce in the rivalry, digging deep to see off the No.10 seed across four games (11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8).
Elsewhere Xia Lian Ni prevailed in a battle of generations as the 60-year-old penhold stalwart made her experience count in a frantic contest against 19-year-old counterpart Kuai Man (11-2, 5-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6).