by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Top spot in the group meant a direct entry to the semi-finals; for Puerto Rico, the Peruvian trio comprising Alessandra Cisneros, Daniela Enriquez and Alejandra Medina awaited, for Mexico it was the Chilean outfit comprising Valentina Rios, Claudia Infante and Jerusalen Flores.

A three-two full distance outcome was the verdict in favour of Puerto Rico, Fabiola Diaz, the younger sister of three celebrated siblings in the guise of Melanie, Gabriela and Adriana, whilst also being the cousin of Kassandra Maldonado, emerged the backbone of the Puerto Rican success.

She accounted for Alejandra Medina in the second match of the fixture (7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6) and for Alessandra Cisneros in the fourth contest (11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6).

The two wins set the scene for Kassandra Maldonado. Just as she had won the vital fifth and deciding match against Chile one day earlier to secure a three-two win by beating Jerusalen Flores (11-6, 11-5, 5-11, 15-17, 13-11), she did the same again in an almost similar dramatic fashion. She recovered from a two games to one deficit to beat Alejandra Medina (7-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5) and thus reserved a place for Puerto Rico in the final.

Meanwhile, in the counterpart semi-final, life was not quite so exacting for Mexico in opposition to the Chilean combination formed by Valentina Rios, Claudia Infante and Jerusalen Flores.

Valentina Rios gave Chile the ideal start by beating Marbella Aceves (11-8, 11-8, 11-9) but that was to prove the sum total of the South American country’s success. Clio Barcenas beat Claudia Infante (11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6) and by the narrowest of margins Valentina Rios (11-9, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9) to prove the mainstay of Mexican success. The one remaining Mexican win was secured by Monica Muñoz; in the third match of the contest, she overcame Jerusalen Flores (11-9, 12-10, 11-5).

The Girls’ Team final will be played on Thursday 10th August.

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Prospectus (Monday 7th August

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Entries (Monday 7th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Schedule of Play (Monday 7th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Team Seeding (Monday 7th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Results – Cadet Boys’ Team (Wednesday 9th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Results – Cadet Girls’ Team (Wednesday 9th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Boys’ Doubles (Friday 11th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Girls’ Doubles Friday 11th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Mixed Doubles (Friday 11th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: First Stage – Boys’ Singles (Thursday 10th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: First Stage – Girls’ Singles (Thursday 10th August)