by Ian Marshall, Editor

Tsai Yu-Chin, the top seed, duly completed her initial phase matches in a most impressive manner, she overcame Puerto Rico’s Zulnamy Soto (12-10, 11-8, 11-7), prior to accounting for Ava Fu of the United States (11-7, 11-7, 11-4). Zulnamy Soto and Ava Fu now meet to decide second place in the group.

Wins as status advised for Tsai Yu-Chin; for Fang Sih-Han and Chen Tsai-Ni, it was somewhat different. Fang Sih-Han beat El Salvador’s Cristina Machado (11-6, 11-3, 11-4), prior to accounting for Chile’s Natalie Ramos, the no.8 seed (11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-2). She now faces Puerto Rico’s Edmarie Leon, yet to record a win, in her concluding group stage contest.

Impressive from Fang Sih-Han, it was the same from Chen Tsai-Ni; she accounted for Puerto Rico’s Kassandra Maldonado (11-3, 11-3, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7) and El Salvador’s Kenny Orellana (11-2, 11-2, 11-1). In her final group engagement, she opposes Guatemala’s Mercedes Mendizabal who, in her second match of the day, was beaten by Kassandra Maldonado (11-9, 11-9, 11-9).

Defeats for Natalie Ramos and Mercedes Mendizabel but they were not the only seeds to suffer; the hosts not enjoying the best of fortunes. Monica Mendoza, the no.2 seed, lost to Lavanya Maruthapandan of the United States (11-8, 11-5, 11-5); Keren Constanza, the no.3 seed was beaten by both Chile’s Macarena Montecino (11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5) and by Puerto Rico’s Brianna Burgos (6-11, 11-4, 11-2, 9-11, 11-9).

A fine performance from Brianna Burgos, it was the same from her colleagues, Mileysha Sanchez, the no.4 seed and from Fabiola Diaz, the no.6 seed, both remained unbeaten to top their groups as did Guatemala’s Hidalynn Zapata.

The group phase in the Junior Girls’ Singles event concludes on Saturday 18th August.