by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Both Argentina and the Dominican Republic appeared in the same group. No changes to either line-up during the whole of the proceedings, on the opening day of play, represented by Camila Arguelles, Ana Codina and Candela Molero; Argentina had beaten the Dominican Republic outfit comprising Eva Brito, Esmerlyn Castro and Yasiris Ortiz by three matches to nil.

Impressively, the Argentine trio overcame the Barbados combination of Janae Lewis, Kenady King and Danielle Walton by three matches to nil to secure first place in the group.

Second place and thus progress to the main draw rested on the result between the Dominican Republic and El Salvador who selected Emme Arias, Estefania Ramirios and Wang de Ying throughout; the selection having on the opening day suffered a three-nil defeat against Argentina.

Wins for Eva Brito in opposition to Emme Arias in the opening match of the fixture (11-3, 11-2, 12-13, 8-11, 11-3) and in the crucial fifth contest in opposition to Wang de Ying (9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10) paved the way for a three-two Dominican Republic victory. The one further win for the Dominican Republic was secured in the doubles when Esmerlyn Castro and Yasiris Ortiz accounted for Emme Arias and Wang de Ying (11-7, 13-11, 12-10).

Alas for Estefania Ramirios, for El Salvador her efforts were in vain; impressively she overcame both Yasiris Ortiz (11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8) and Esmerlyn Castro (11-8, 11-6, 11-9).

A place in the quarter-finals booked, once again it was on the shoulders of Eva Brito that the burden of responsibility fell. She beat both Manuela Echeverry (11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6) and Luisa Zuluaga (11-7, 11-4, 13-11) in a three-one success against Colombia. The one further success for the Dominican Republic was secured in the doubles with Esmerlyn Castro and Yasiris Ortiz accounting for Manuela Echeverry and Luisa Zuluaga (11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9). Meanwhile, for Colombia, their one win was achieved by Paula Medina; in the second match of the engagement she beat Esmerlyn Castro (11-5, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7.

Earlier in the day, with Paula Medina, Manuela Echeverry and Luisa Zuluaga on duty, Colombia had recorded a three-nil win against Guyana’s Natalie Cummings, Trenace Lowe and Jodyann Blake.

Testing times at the quarter-final stage for the Dominican Republic; life was even more exacting for Argentina. They secured their semi-final place courtesy of a full distance five match success in opposition to Cuba.

Star of the show was Ana Codina. In the opening match of the fixture she recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Idalys Lovet (2-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8), before in the fifth and concluding match of the contest, defeating Shelly Machado (11-3, 11-7, 11-3). The one further win for the victors was achieved  in the doubles when Camila Arguelles and Candela Molero accounted for Idalys Lovet and Shelly Machado (5-11, 11-7, 13-11, 12-10); for Cuba Lisi Castillo beat both Camila Arguelles (11-8, 11-5, 12-10) and Candela Molero (5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-5).

Defeat by narrow margins; earlier in the proceedings to secure second place in the group it had been success for Cuba by narrow margins. A three-two win had been the order of the day against Mexico for whom Yadira Silva had proved the thorn in the side.

She beat both Idalys Lovet (12-14, 11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6) and Shelly Machado (11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5) but that was to prove the sum total of Mexican success. Lisi Castillo, as against Argentina, emerged unbeaten; she accounted for Marbella Aceves (11-9, 11-9, 11-7) and Monica Muñoz (11-5, 4-11, 11-8, 16-14), the one further success accrued in the doubles when Idalys Lovet and Shelly Machado accounted for Marbela Aceves and Monica Muñoz (11-9, 11-8, 11-7).

At the semi-final stage the Dominican Republic faces Brazil; Argentina opposes Chile. Both Brazil and Chile secured first places in their respective groups on the opening day of play and gained direct entry to the penultimate round.

The semi-finals will be played on Tuesday 6th March, the final on Wednesday 7th March.

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Men’s Team & Women’s Team – Seeding (Sunday 4th March)

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Results – Men’s Team (Monday 5th March)

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Detailed Results -Men’s Team (Monday 5th March)

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Results – Women’s Team (Monday 5th March)

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Detailed Results – Women’s Team (Monday 5th March)

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Draw – Men’s Doubles (Monday 5th March)

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Draw – Women’s Doubles (Monday 5th March)

2018 Latin American Senior Championships: Draw – Mixed Doubles (Monday 5th March)