by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

However, the man in form is the player whose name appears second on the list.

Romania’s Hunor Szocs, is the no.2 seed. At last week’s Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Korea Open in Incheon, he was the quite sensational first round winner over the host nation’s Jeoung Youngsik, the top seed and currently listed no.8 on Men’s World Rankings.

Only Amalraj Anthony, like Soumyajit Gosh from India; of the other names on duty in Santiago can remotely compare this year with the performances of Soumyajit Gosh and in particular, Hunor Szocs.

The no.3 seed, his best this year was a quarter-final exit at the ITTF Challenge Thailand Open in Bangkok. He was beaten by the Korean defender with a powerful forehand top spin, Kang Dongsoo.

A last eight departure for Amalraj Anthony, for Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy, the no.4 seed; on his one international venture this year, the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open, it was a Men’s Singles preliminary stage farewell.

Meanwhile for the remaining four players who complete the top eight Men’s Singles names, it is a first international appearance of the year. Argentina’s Philipp Floritz is the no.5 seed, followed by Bulgaria’s Philipp Floritz, the host nation’s Gustavo Gomez and Argentina’s Horacio Cifuentes.

Likewise in the Women’s Singles event, for the leading names it is a first venture of the year into international waters.

Brazil’s Caroline Kumahara is the top seed; next in line is Colombia’s Paula Medina with Chile’s Pauline Vega and Argentina’s Ana Codina completing the elite names.

In the Men’s Doubles event, Amalraj Anthony and Soumyajit Ghosh occupy the top seeded positions; in the counterpart Women’s Doubles event it is Ana Codina who partners Argentine colleague, Candela Molero.

Horacio Cifuentes and Candela Molero are the top seeds in the respective Under 21 Men’s Singles and Under 21 Women’s Singles events.