by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

At the semi-final stage of the Men’s Doubles event; Amalraj Anthony and Soumyajit Ghosh accounted for the host nation partnership comprising Manuel Moya and Alejandro Rodriguez. A four games margin of victory was the outcome (8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8).

Success with a degree of comfort for the Indian pairing; for Philipp Floritz and Hunor Szocs, life was some more testing when facing the Argentine combination of Gaston Alto and Horacio Cifuentes. Victory was the outcome but the Europeans, after winning the opening two games had to withstand spirited resistance prior to securing a five games success (11-4, 12-10, 5-11, 10-12, 11-4).

Final places booked; in the Men’s Singles event, the same four names reserved semi-final berths.

Soumyajit Ghosh, the top seed, beat Horacio Cifuentes (7-11, 16-14, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4); Philipp Floritz received a walk-over against Argentina’s injured Francisco Sanchi. Soon after Amalraj Anthony, the no.3 seed overcame Gaston Alto (7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6) and Hunor Szocs, the no.2 seed, accounted for Vitor Ishiy (5-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5) to end Brazilian hopes.

At the semi-final stage Soumyajit Ghosh meets Philipp Floritz, Amalraj Anthony opposes Hunor Szocs.

The itinerary on Sunday 30th April is scheduled to start 10.00am (local time) with the first Women’s Singles semi-final, followed by the first Men’s Singles semi-final. following a break, at 2.30pm (local time) the Women’s Doubles will commence the finals schedule.