Quadri Aruna is through to his first WTT Star Contender semifinal since 2022 after overcoming Park Ganghyeon 3-1 in Doha.
The win against Korea’s Park Ganghyeon is his third at the tournament playing an explosive quarterfinal match at the Lusail Arena in Doha.
Aruna took control from the start, winning the first game 11-9 and the second game 11-8. However, Park fought back to win the third game 11-4, but Aruna regained his composure and won the fourth game 11-9, to secure a 3-1 victory and a semifinal spot.
Earlier on Friday, January 10, the second highest-ranked African player in the world avenged his previous losses to Spain’s Alvaro Robles with a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
In the quarterfinal match, Aruna showcased a dominant performance against the Korean qualifier, who had previously eliminated German top seed Patrick Franciska in the second round.
Quadri Aruna remains the only male African player to reach the semifinal stage of the WTT Star Contender, replicating his achievement from the 2022 edition.
He will now face Japanese sensation and tournament’s number-one seed, Tomokazu Harimoto.
In their last meeting in Frankfort, Germany, Aruna got the better of the Japanese.
Harimoto will seek revenge when they meet on Saturday, January 11, 2025, for a place in the final.
The WTT Star Contender in Doha is the first major Table Tennis event for 2025.