by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

At the quarter-final stage both Horacio Cifuentes and Francisco Sanchi overcame Chilean adversaries.

Horacio Cifuentes beat Gustavo Sepuldeva (11-7, 11-2, 5-11, 11-3), Francisco Sanchi overcame Andres Martinez (11-4, 11-9, 11-8).

Now, in the penultimate round Horacio Cifuentes faces Brazil’s Rafael Torino, Francisco Sanchi confronts the host Juan Lamadrid. In the round of the last eight Rafael Torino beat Chile’s Denys Fierro (9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9); Juan Lamadrid accounted for Gustavo Ushisima, like Rafael Torino from Brazil (11-5, 11-7, 11-3).

Meanwhile in the Under 21 Women’s Singles event, it is Candela Molero versus Chile.

She booked her semi-final place courtesy of success against Natalie Ramos (11-6, 11-9, 11-4) and now faces Mariam Ruiz, the quarter-final winner in opposition to Antonia Sepuldeva (11-13, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5).

In the adjacent half of the draw Valentina Rios opposes Giovanna Guessi. In the round of the last eight, Valentina Rios accounted for Carolina Cardenas (11-9, 11-4, 11-9), Giovanna Guessi ended the hopes of Macarena Montecino in the closest match of the round; she emerged successful by the very minimal two point margin in the crucial deciding fifth game (10-12, 11-4, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10).

The semi-finals and finals of both the Under 21 Men’s Singles and Under 21 Women’s Singles events will be played on Saturday 29th April.