by Ian Marshall, Editor

Selecting Daniel Gonzalez, Yomar Gonzalez and Ricardo Jimenez, notably Brian Afanador, the Caribbean island’s leading player, resigned to the bench; a three-two defeat was experienced at the hands of Peru, the no.13 seeds, represented by Johan Chavez, Rodrigo Hidalgo and Diego Rodriguez.

Hero of the hour for Peru was Rodrigo Hidalgo, in the vital fifth and deciding match of the fixture, he accounted for Ricardo Jimenez (11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9) in what was very much a team effort. Earlier, Diego Rodriguez had overcome Ricardo Jimenez (11-6, 11-5, 11-9), Johan Chavez had beaten Yomar Gonzalez (11-7, 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Success for Peru, in the counterpart contest, it was success for Paraguay, likewise in a full distance five match encounter. The no.5 seeds, Marcelo Aguirre, Italo Ibañez and Alejandro Toranzos accounted for the no.11 seeds, Canada’s Jeremy Hazin, Marko Medjugorac and Eugene Wang; the one winner for the Canadians being Eugene Wang. He overcame both Italo Ibañez (11-5, 11-4, 11-3) and Marcelo Aguirre (15-13, 11-4, 16-14). Hero of the hour for Paraguay was Italo Ibañez; in the crucial fifth and deciding match of the fixture, he beat Marko Medjugorac (12-14, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6).

Victory for Paraguay meant they finished level with Puerto Rico, each team ending the group with five points; two teams level, the fixture between the outfits in question decides.

The previous day Puerto Rico had beaten Paraguay by three matches to two and thus secured first position; the outcome was that Canada and Peru each finished with four points; similarly, as Canada had recorded a three-nil win against Peru, the previous day, they secured third place.