Aruna Quadri’s quality thrilled Ma Long at WTT Champions Macao

Despite recording a nail-biting 3-1 (11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8) win over Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna at the WTT Champions Macao, Olympic and World champion Ma Long
of China was indeed relieved to overcome the Nigerian star in the men’s singles.

Rated fourth in the world Ma Long who was a familiar foe to Aruna knew before the encounter that he would need to raise his game to beat the Nigerian star.

Being the second time in recent times that Ma Long will be facing Aruna at the big stage, the encounter lived up to expectations as they both sized up
themselves in a battle of backhand and forehand.

Like a man who escaped by a whisker, Ma Long said after the match that he was surprised with the backhand play of Aruna.

“I think it was a very tough match today. I was more active in the first game, but we were very close in the last three games, especially in the third and
fourth games.

‘The overall strength of the opponent, including the quality of his play, really put a lot of pressure on me.

‘People always say Aruna has a really good forehand, but today I think his backhand is really good as well,” a relieved Ma Long said during the post-match interview.