Quadri Aruna’s much-anticipated return to international table tennis ended in disappointment on Thursday, as Sweden’s top-ranked player, Truls Moregard, defeated the Nigerian in straight sets at the 2025 WTT Yokohama.
Moregard, seeded fifth, needed just 18 minutes to seal a 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-4) victory in their Round of 32 men’s singles clash at the BUNTAI Infinity ∞ Arena.
Read Also: Two Foreign Coaches Join Female Yellow Greens Team Camp as Nigeria Intensifies World Cup Qualifiers Preparation
Aruna, who recently reclaimed his status as Africa’s top-ranked player, came into the match hoping to better his Round of 32 exit at July’s United States Grand Smash.
However, he was unable to find his footing against an in-form Moregard, who took control early and never relented.
The Swedish star, aiming to build confidence ahead of next week’s Europe Smash in his hometown of Malmö, showcased brilliant tactical play and composure.
He effectively neutralised Aruna’s powerful forehands, combining sharp footwork with precision to dominate the encounter.
A two-time WTT Champions semifinalist, Moregard won 33 total points,18 on serve and 15 on return highlighting his efficiency throughout the match.
He enjoyed a seven-point lead at one point and strung together five consecutive points during his most dominant phase.
Quadri Aruna’s best opportunities came in the opening two sets, where he pushed Moregard to 11-9 but failed to capitalise on crucial moments.
The third set, however, was one-sided, as Moregard raced to a 10-3 lead before closing out the set 11-4.
Despite the loss, Quadri Aruna earned 15 ranking points and $4,500 in prize money.
Moregard will face Japan’s Sora Matsushima in the Round of 16. Matsushima earlier mounted a spirited comeback to defeat South Korea’s Lee Sang Su in a five-game thriller (16-18, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7).
The WTT Yokohama tournament offers a total prize pool of $500,000, with the champion set to receive 1,000 ranking points and $40,000 in prize money.
