Nigeria’s top table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, suffered a narrow 3–2 defeat to Romania’s Eduard Ionescu in the round of 32 at the 2025 Muscat Contender on Thursday. The match, held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, lasted just over 32 minutes and was packed with drama.
Seeded ninth and ranked 27th globally, Aruna entered as the favourite after receiving a bye into the round of 32. He fought back from an opening-game loss to lead 2–1, but Ionescu, ranked 44th, rallied to take the last two games, clinching the decider 12–10.
Despite winning more total points (47–46) and matching Ionescu in service stats, Aruna faltered at key moments. His exit leaves Egypt’s Omar Assar as Africa’s sole representative in the men’s singles draw. 
Aruna earns $17,000 and 25 ranking points for his effort, while Ionescu advances to face fifth seed Woojin Jang in the round of 16.