Aruna Quadri became the first Nigerian to win the Men’s Singles title of the International Table Tennis Federation Nigeria Open on Sunday after he defeated Antoine Henchard of France by 4-2 sets in Lagos.
Quadri was also awarded the Fairplay Award of the tournament
Henchard began the final at the Molade Okoya Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere on a quick note as he nudged up the first set 13-11, but Quadri fought back in the second 11-3 to level it up one set apiece.
The Frenchman claimed the third set 11-8 but that was the end of his domination as he succumbed to Quadri’s powerful play in the next three sets.
The Nigerian levelled proceedings for the second time in the fourth set 11-7, went on to claim the game’s lead for the first time 11-5 in the fifth set and clinched the title with an 11-8 win in the sixth and final set.
Meanwhile, Quadri got the Fairplay Award after he called the umpire’s attention to a point erroneously awarded to him instead of Henchard in the third set.
