by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
In their open contest they faced colleagues, Gabriela Romero and Dinora Salazar. Keren Constanza gave her team the ideal start by beating Dinora Salazar (11-9, 11-4, 11-4), before Cecilia Orantes accounted for Gabriela Romero (13-11, 11-6, 11-7) to double the advantage.
It was at that stage their compatriots responded; Gabriela Romero and Dinora Salazar won the doubles (11-3, 11-7, 12-10), prior to Gabriela Romero accounting for Keren Constanza to level matters (11-6, 8-11, 13-11, 11-9). The overall score in the fixture level, Cecilia Orantes returned to the fray; she overcame Dinora Salazar to end the recovery (11-7, 12-10, 12-10).
Immediately, in the ensuing fixture it was the same score-line against the United States duo comprising Ishana Deb and Sarike Ahire, only this time the result was contrary to expectations. The visitors started play as the second seeds.
Ishana Deb beat both Cecilia Orantes (11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10) and Keren Constanza (7-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-6) but that was the sum total of United States progress. Sarika Ahire experienced defeats at the hands Keren Constanza (10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 12-10) and in opposition to Cecilia Orantes in the vital fifth and deciding match of the fixture (11-1, 10-12, 11-8, 7-11, 11-1). Crucially, in the third match of the engagement, the El Salvadorians secured the doubles (9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8).
Keren Constanta and Cecilia Orantes duly completed their first phase fixtures unbeaten and in their concluding contest of the day maintained tradition when facing the Guatemala ‘B’ combination of Lourdes Berreondo and Mercedes Mendizabal. A three-two margin of victory was the outcome with Mercedes Mendizabal accounting for both Cecilia Orantes (5-11, 11-9, 4-11, 13-11, 13-11) and Keren Constanza (11-9, 3-11,11-9, 11-5).
Meanwhile, for Ishana Deb and Sarike Ahire it was second place in the group. Ishana Deb unbeaten; they accounted Lourdes Berreondo and Mercedes Mendizabal by three matches to nil, before recording a three-one success when facing Gabriela Romero and Dinora Salazar.
First place for Keren Constanza and Cecilia Orantes against expectations; in the corresponding group, it was according to expectations.
Top seeds, the Guatamala ‘A’ Team duo of Paula Acevedo and Lucia Cordero finished in first place in their group ahead of Costa Rica’s Francella Carballo and Brenda Vasquez. The El Salvador duo of Lourdes Martinez and Michele Quinteros ended matters in third position.
Teams finishing in first and second positions in each of the two groups advance to the semi-finals; the Junior Girls’ Team event concludes on Thursday 17th August.
