by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The top place secured by Thais Fraga Severo was the one notable surprise of the day; she commenced proceedings as the no.2 seed; she finished ahead of Japan’s Yukimi Chada, the top seed and Brazil’s Maria Luisa Pereira Passos, the no.3 seed.

Somewhat differently in Men’s Singles Class 5, the medallists were as seeding advised. Kentaro Doi, the top seed, ended matters in first place of the next players in the order of merit. Next in line came the Brazilian duo of Fabio Santos and Renato Santos.

Meanwhile in the remaining events with matters still to conclude, the leading names all enjoyed a successful opening day.

In Women’s Singles Class 6-10, Russia’s Elena Epishkina, the top seed, remained unbeaten, as did Chile’s Ailyn Espinoza Perez, the no.3 seed.

Similarly, play organised on the group formula, in Men’s Singles Class 1-2, Frenchman Julien Michaud, the top seed, remained unbeaten as did Brazil’s Bruno de Paula Perez Braga, the no.3 seed. However, in Men’s Singles Class 8 where the group formula was also in vogue, Brazil’s Nilson de Silva Oliveira ended the day as the only unbeaten player.

One group to decide the title, in the other events, matters organised in two phases, group matches followed by knock-out, the top two seeds all advanced to the semi-final round.

In Men’s Singles Class 3-4 it was a successful day for Brazil’s Eziquiel Babes and Costa Rica’s Geovanni Rodriguez, as it was in Men’s Singles Class 6-7 for Chile’s Matias Pino and Brazil’s Luis Medina.

Likewise, in Men’s Singles Class 9, Japan’s Nobuyuki Suzuki and Chile’s Manuel Echaveguren justified their status to book penultimate round places; a goal also achieved in Men’s Singles Class 10 by Brazil’s Claudio Massad and Chile’s Alvaro Vega.

Play in the individual events concludes on Friday 9th December, the day on which the Team competitions commence.

2016 Copa Costa Rica: Individual Results

2016 Copa Costa Rica: Draw for Team Event