by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
At the quarter-final stage Amalraj Anthony and Soumyajit Ghosh accounted for Argentina’s Juan Daher and Francisco Sanchi (11-8, 11-3, 11-9), whilst Philipp Floritz and Hunor Szocs overcame the host nation combination of Gustavo Gomez and Juan Lamadrid in what proved to be the most closely contested match of the round
They emerged successful by the minimal two point margin in the deciding fifth game (11-3, 6-11, 11-13, 13-11, 14-12)
In the round of the last four pairs, Amalraj Anthony and Soumyajit Ghosh face Chile’s Manuel Moya and Alejandro Rodriguez; Philipp Floritz and Hunor Szocs oppose Argentina’s Gaston Alto and Horacio Cifuentes.
Manuel Moya and Alejandro Rodriguez reserved their semi-final place courtesy of success against Nicolas Galvano and Pablo Tabachnik, also from Argentina (15-13, 5-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4); Gaston Alto and Horacio Cifuentes defeated Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy and Rafael Torino (12-10, 11-9, 11-8).
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Doubles event, in the semi-final round Chile’s Judith Morales and Paulina Vega meet the combination of Argentina’s Agustina Iwasa and Brazil’s Caroline Kumahara. In the opposite half of the draw, the Argentine duo of Ana Codina and Candela Molero face Colombia’s Paula Medina and Maria Perdomo.
Last four places booked and all at Chilean expense; Judith Morales and Paulina Vega overcame colleagues Carolina Cardenas and Mariam Ruiz (11-9, 11-5, 11-4), Agustina Iwasa and Brazil’s Caroline Kumahara gained a walk-over against Eymmy Diaz and Constanza Loyola.
In the opposite half of the draw Paula Medina and Maria Perdomo overcame Cristal Menese and Valentina Rios in the closest match of the round (11-1, 11-13, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6); Ana Codina and Candela Molero beat Claudia Infante and Macarena Montecino (11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 11-3).
The semi-finals of both the Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles events will be played on Saturday 29th April.
