by Ian Marshall, Editor
Cuba, the top seeds, proved irrepressible in the Men’s Team final, the trio comprising Jorge Campos, Livan Martinez and Andy Periera recording a most impressive three matches to nil win.
Andy Periera gave his team the perfect start by beating Brian Afanador (11-7, 11-8, 11-9), before Jorge Campos accounted for Daniel Gonzalez (11-6, 11-2, 11-9) and a doubles success for the partnership comprising Livan Martinez and Andy Periera brought matters to a conclusion. They accounted for Daniel Gonzalez and Yomar Gonzalez (11-4, 11-8, 11-5).
Defeat for Puerto Rico but earlier in the evening in the Women’s Team event, it had been success; the top seeds, a three-one win was recorded against the Venezuelan trio comprising Gremlis Arvelo, Neridee Niño and Camila Obando in what was their second meeting of the tournament.
In the group stage the outfits had confronted each other in the opening fixture, Puerto Rico winning three-nil; in the final life was more testing.
Gremlis Arvelo who had lost to Melanie Diaz in the group stage contest (6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6), reversed the decision in the final, she emerged successful in three straight games (12-10, 14-12, 11-5).
However that was to be the only success for Venezuela; Adriana Diaz beat both Neridee Niño (11-7, 11-5, 11-3) and Camilo Obando (11-3, 11-3, 11-2), the latter success coming after Melanie Diaz and Daniely Rios had secured the doubles when facing Gremlis Arvelo and Camila Obando.
Attention now turns to the Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles competitions; the main draw in the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles event commences on Monday 23rd July.
