by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Note the name Claudia Infante; in her opening contests at the Seamaster ITTF Challenge Chile Open in Santiago on Wednesday 26th April, she proved a determined teenager when confronting colleagues.

Tested but emerging successful, in both the Under 21 Women’s Singles and Women’s Singles events, she recorded full distance wins. In the former she accounted for Carolina Cardenas (11-4, 14-12, 3-11, 4-11, 11-8), in the latter for Eymmy Diaz (6-11, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6).

Likewise, one month ago on the ITTF World Junior Circuit in Paraguay, the 15 year old had displayed a penchant for the international scene. Partnering colleague Jerusalen Flores, she reached the semi-final stage of the Cadet Girls’ Team event, prior to advancing the quarter-final round of the Cadet Girls’ Singles competition.

Earlier success for Claudia Infante; in the Under 21 Women’s Singles event, it was the same for Macarena Montecino and Natalie Ramos in all Chilean duels. Macarena Montecino beat the unfortunate Eymmy Diaz (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 13-11); Natalie Ramos overcame Natasha Rios (11-7, 11-9, 14-12).

Meanwhile, in the early contests in the qualification phase of the Women’s Singles event, in addition to success for Claudia Infante, in all Chilean contests there were wins for Valentina Rios and Carolina Cardenas.

Valentina Rios accounted for Cristal Meneses (11-8, 11-7, 11-2, 12-14, 11-8); in a somewhat closer duel, Carolina Cardenas overcame Natalie Ramos (11-5, 5-11, 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 4-11, 14-12).

Play in the qualification stage in both the Women’s Singles and Under 21 Women’s Singles events concludes on Thursday 27th April.