With notable momentum changes throughout, this match, which was a rematch of their ITTF African Cup match, demonstrated Quadri Aruna and Salifou’s fierce nature.
In crucial situations, especially during Salifou’s powerful push, Aruna skillfully kept his cool, allowing him to win.
After the game, Aruna remarked, “Playing the first match in such events is always challenging.” Gaining a 2-0 advantage boosted my confidence. In the third and fourth games, he put up a fierce fight, but I was able to remain composed and win. I’m happy with my performance today.
Aruna, ranked 20th in the world, showed tenacity, particularly in the fourth game when he rallied from an 8–6 deficit to win, solidifying his position as he looks to advance from the group stage in this new World Cup format.
Salifou, who was playing for Benin for the second time after a five-year hiatus, showed admirable perseverance in spite of the loss.
“I led 8–6 in the fourth and had chances to draw the game. I respect Aruna’s ability to bounce back, and I’ll keep trying to do better in my next game,” he remarked.
In other significant performances, Egypt’s Hana Goda achieved a dominant 4-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8) victory over Malaysia’s Seak Hui Li, demonstrating her prowess following her recent African Cup triumph.
Meanwhile, Dina Meshref also started strongly with a 3-1 (11-9, 11-9, 11-5, 6-11) triumph against Zhu Chengzhu, showcasing her experience in her ninth appearance at the World Cup.
China’s Huang Youzheng, Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar, and Japan’s Hiroto Shinozuka all had strong performances on the first day, winning in straight sets.
The day was made even more exciting by Eugene Wang’s 2-2 draw with Yukiya Uda, which came as a major surprise.
About The Author
