Quadri Aruna to battle Japan’s Harimoto in WTT Star Contender Doha semi-finals
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna continued his impressive run at the 2025 WTT Star Contender Doha by securing a spot in the semi-finals, where he will face top seed, Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, Afrosport reports.
Aruna, the fifth seed in Doha, saw off Alvaro Robles 3-2 (11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6) in his first match on Friday to avenge his previous losses to the Spaniard.
Following the third-round victory, the 36-year-old Nigerian was once again in action in the quarter-finals, defeating South Korea’s Park Ganghyeon inside the Lusail Arena.
Aruna needed four sets to seal a 3-1 win, overcoming the Korean, who had previously eliminated Germany’s Patrick Franciska in the second round.
The world No. 21 took control from the start, winning the first game 11-9 before taking the second game 11-8. Although Park fought back to win the third game 11-4, Aruna regained his composure and clinched the fourth game 11-9, securing the victory and advancing to the semifinals.
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 a familiar foe in Harimoto, who he got the better of the last time they met at the WTT Champions Frankfurt in Germany on Saturday, 11 January.
