by Ian Marshall, Editor
Safely through the group phase of proceedings without a single individual match being conceded, at the semi-final stage a three-one win was recorded against the Puerto Rican outfit comprising Sonelis Gonzalez Cartagena, Kassandra Maldonado and Zulnamy Soto; the backbone of the victory being Marbella Aceves.
She beat both Zulnamy Soto (14-12, 11-9, 4-11, 11-3) and Kassandra Maldonado (11-2, 13-11, 11-9); the one further Mexican win was secured in the second match of the engagement when Arantxa Cossio Aceves overcame Kassandra Maldonado (10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5).
“I think there is a very high level in Latin America in the Under 15 category at the moment; it gives us great pride to start the tournament with a gold medal. I have been working for eight years with young players; so as a coach this medal is a great reward.” Alexis Agüero
A place in the final booked, the performance from the Mexican trio was even more impressive; a three-nil win was posted against Colombia. Marbella Aceves gave her team the perfect start by beating Juliana Rodriguez (11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9), before Arantxa Cossio Aceves overcame Alejandra Alzate (11-8, 10-12, 11-3, 11-9) and Aurora Andrade closed the curtain by defeating Sofia Varela (7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6).
“My teammates are younger than me. I am the most experienced. I have also played at junior level; that has helped me. The players that gave me the most trouble were the players from Puerto Rico and Colombia; it was very difficult to beat them.” Marbella Aceves
In the counterpart semi-final, Colombia had recorded a three-two win against the Brazilian trio comprising Giulia Takahashi, Fabiana Shintate and Laura Watanabe.
Notably Giulia Takahashi overcame Alejandra Alzate in the fourth match of the fixture (11-6, 11-6, 11-5), having in the opening encounter narrowly beaten Julia Rodriguez (9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9). Defeat for Julia Rodriguez but she had the last laugh; in the concluding match of the fixture, she accounted for Laura Watanabe (12-10, 11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 11-6) to seal the victory.
Play in the Cadet Girls’ Team events over, attention now turns to the individual competitions; proceedings conclude on Sunday 12th August.
2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Results (Wednesday 8th August)
2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Team – Results – Detail (Wednesday 8th August)
2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Results (Wednesday 8th August)
2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Team – Results – Detail (Wednesday 8th August)
2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Boys’ Singles – Stage One (Thursday 9th August)
2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Girls’ Singles – Stage One (Thursday 9th August)
2018 Latin American Cadet Championships: Cadet Mixed Doubles – Main Draw (Thursday 9th August)