The poster boy of Nigerian table tennis, Aruna Quadri will begin his third World Table, WTT tournament in 2023 as he serves off today against a familiar foe Ruwen Filus of Germany in the first round of the men’s singles of WTT Singapore Smash.
The main draw of Singapore Smash 2023 commences from today and March 19, at the Singapore Sports Hub’s OCBC Arena and will feature 64 player men’s and women’s singles and 24-pair doubles and mixed competitions.
It could be recalled that the highest ranked Africa champion had participated in two WTT tournaments.
His action began with WTT contender in Durban, South where he finished in the quarter final while at WTT Star contender in Doha, he finished in the round of 32, losing to Portuguese star Marcos Freitas.
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But ahead the WTT Singapore Smash, Quadri hopes to surpass his second-round exit at the 2022 edition with a comfortable win over the German star.
Also, the second African star competing in the main draw is Egypt’s Omar Assar and the former African champion has been pitched against Portuguese international Tiago Apolonia in the first round.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on defending Singapore Smash champions China’s Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng who are eager to do battle to retain their singles crowns, while Singapore’s table tennis players are also raring to do the home fans proud when the main draw starts today.