by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
On Thursday 27th April, Pablo Tabachnik at 39 years old the father of the house, emerged successful as did his apprentice, from one generation earlier, Gaston Alto, now 31 years old.
Also there was success for two players from the rising generation, ready to step into senior shoes; Nicolas Galvano 22 years of age and Horacio Cifuentes very much the junior member of the quartet, aged 19 years, topped their respective groups.
Gaston Alto, Pablo Tabachnik and Horacio Cifuentes all caused the host nation pain.
Impressively Gaston Alto concluded his initial stage matches with victory over Denys Fierro (11-4, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8); Pablo Tabachnik beat a spirited Rodrigo Garcia in a full distance seven games duel (6-11, 11-3, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-8), whilst Horacio Cifuentes overcame Rudy Gonzales in a rather more comfortable manner (11-4, 11-2, 11-3, 11-2).
Success against Chilean adversaries, for Nicolas Galvano it was victory in opposition to Brazil; he accounted for Rafael Torino (14-12, 8-11, 11-6, 2-11, 11-2, 11-7).
Meanwhile, in the remaining groups, Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy secured top place by beating Andres Martinez, also from Chile; likewise Bulgaria’s Philipp Floritz accounted for Argentina’s Emmanuel Lara (11-6, 11-7, 11-3, 11-6) and the host nation’s Alejandro Rodriguez overcame Franciso Sanchi, like Emmanuel Lara from Argentina (11-8, 13-11, 13-11, 11-8).
The one remaining group had been settled the previous day with Argentina enjoying further success; Lucas Bayona had beaten Chile’s Juan Lamadrid (11-8, 11-1, 11-7, 11-5) to secure first place.
First places decided; it was second positions for Argentina’s Luciano Alto, Juan Daher and Francisco Sanchi, as it was for the Chilean quintet of Victor Coydan, Guillermo Campusano, Rudy Gonzalez, Juan Lamadrid and Mabuel Moya.
A total of 16 places in the main draw; players finishing in first positions in each group advanced to the main draw where they join the four seeds. Players in second positions competed in a preliminary round; the winners of the preliminary round matches gain main draw berths.
In the preliminary round success came the way of Luciano Alto, Manuel Moya, Francisco Sanchi and Juan Daher.
Luciano Alto received a walk-over against Rudy Gonzales whilst Manuel Moya overcame Victor Coydán (8-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-8, 11-9); Francisco Sanchi beat Juan Lamadrid (12-10, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9) and Juan Daher ended the hopes of Guillermo Campusano (11-6, 11-8, 10-12, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6).
