In the second round of the men’s singles in Thailand, Japanese player Yukida Uda will square off against Quadri Aruna, Africa’s lone representative at the WTT Star Contender Bangkok.
Aruna, the number four seed according to the organisers, is familiar with Uda from their close match in the 2018 Hong Kong Open, where Aruna overcame him 4-3.
Uda presents Aruna with a serious task because he is already revved up following his 3-2 triumph over Joao Monteiro of Portugal in the first round.
In his previous outing at the WTT Star Contender in Slovenia, Aruna faced another Japanese star, Sora Matsushima, and suffered a defeat.
However, he remains motivated as he looks ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled to begin later this month in France.
Beyond aiming for his first WTT title, Aruna is determined to accumulate ranking points that will elevate his status when the draws for the Paris Olympic Games men’s singles are announced.
As the 2024 Africa Cup champion, he aims to surpass his quarter-final finish from Rio 2016 and become the first African player to reach the podium at the Olympic Games.
The WTT Star Contender Bangkok boasts a total prize pool of $250,000, with 600 ITTF World Ranking Points awarded to the champions.
Defending champions Lin Gaoyuan and Chen Xingtong of China, who secured the Triple Crown in the 2023 edition, will be eager to retain their titles.
