Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri became the first player from Africa to reach the quarterfinals in the history of the Olympics after upsetting World’s number 8 player, Timo Boll, in the fourth round in Rio.
Sensationally, just one day short of his 28th birthday, Quadri beat Boll, the former World no.1 and the no.10 seed at the Olympics.
Incredibly, Quadri withstood a brave recovery by the German after winning the first three games to secure a six games success (12-10, 12-10, 11-5, 3-11, 5-11, 11-5).
“It’s a miracle; this is amazing, I don’t know what to say, my fans made the victory possible,” said a dazed Quadri.
“Thank you to all the Brazilian spectators for their support; they gave me so much energy; this feels so good, it is a dream come true that I am in the quarter-finals.
“I was able to receive his service well; after I won the first three games I could not find many chances to attack; if I have lost the sixth game I think in the seventh I would had no chance.
“It was better for me attacking his forehand than his backhand; he was very strong from the backhand.”
Boll’s forehand is known for being devastating, with more spin on the first three attacks than virtually any other player in the world.
“He has surprised a lot of people. I knew he was good coming into the match. I just have to say well played,” said a gallant Boll.
“His whole game is different, so it took me a while to work it out; once I was three-nil down, I started to get more into the match but it was already too late.”
“Unbelievable, just unbelievable,” concluded Quadri who wrote his name in the history books of the Olympic Games.
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