by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The greatest disappointment was the defeat of Gustavo Gomez, the no.4 seed. A spirited effort but he was beaten by Argentina’s Francisco Sanchi in a closely contested seven games duel, decided by the very minimal margin (11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9).

Likewise both Manuel Moya and Alejandro Rodriguez departed at Argentine hands; Manuel Moya was beaten by Gaston Alto (11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4); Alejandro Rodriguez experienced defeat when facing Horacio Cifuentes (11-4, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3).

Success for Argentina but there was also defeat in a round where players from the South American country featured in all eight matches.

Nicolas Galvano was beaten by Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy (11-4, 11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9); Juan Daher suffered in opposition to India’s Soumyajit Ghosh, the top seed (11-6, 11-9, 11-6, 11-2), whilst Pablo Tabachnik lost to Amalraj Anthony, also from India and the no.3 seed (11-4, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9).

Similarly, in the two remaining first round matches, it was defeat for Argentina. Bulgaria’s Philipp Floritz accounted for Lucas Bayona (11-5, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6); Romania’s Hunor Szocs, the no.2 seed, ended the hopes of Luciano Alto (11-8, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7).

In the round of the last eight, Soumyajit Ghosh meets Horacio Cifuentes, Philipp Floritz opposes Francisco Sanchi; in the opposite half of the draw it is Amalraj Anthony versus Gaston Alto and Vitor Ishiy in opposition to Hunor Szocs.

The quarter-final matches will be played on Saturday 29th April.