by Ian Marshall, Editor

Success for the host nation but it was hard fought success; following a 3-0 penultimate round win in opposition Peru’s Arevalo Blas, Johan Chavez and Rodrigo Hidalgo, the full five matches were needed to overcome Ecuador’s Alberto Miño, Emiliano Riofrio and Rodrigo Tapia to seal the title.

The player to cause Argentina problems was Alberto Miño, he accounted for both Nicolas Galvano (11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 7-11, 13-11) and Pablo Tabachnik (11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8); the man of the moment for the victors was Nicolas Galvano, in the vital fifth match of the fixture, he overcame Emiliano Riofrio (11-4, 11-6, 11-9).

Earlier at the semi-final stage, fielding the same three players, Ecuador had recorded a 3-2 win in opposition to Chile’s Nicolas Burgos, Manuel Moya and Felipe Olivares. Again the star player for Ecuador was Alberto Miño. He accounted for both Felipe Olivares (11-7, 11-9, 12-10) and Manuel Moya (14-16, 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 11-2). The one further win for Ecuador was secured in the opening match of the fixture; Emiliano Riofrio and Rodrigo Tapia beat Nicolas Burgos and Manuel Moya (4-11, 13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8).

Success for Argentina was a mild surprise, they commenced play the no.3 seeds; the silver medal for Ecuador was a major success. They occupied to no.7 seeded spot.

Bronze for Chile, in the women’s team event it was gold; a 3-0 win being recorded in opposition to Colombia, a result that was perhaps somewhat harsh; the opening two matches both went the full distance.

Judith Morales and Paulina Vega beat Maria Perdomo and Cory Tellez (11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8), before Daniela Ortega recovered from a two games to nil deficit to overcome Paula Medina (5-11, 14-16, 14-12, 13-11, 11-6). Paulina Vega secure the victory by accounting for Cory Tellez (12-10, 11-8, 11-2).

Earlier at the semi-final stage, Judith Morales, Daniela Ortega and Paulina Vega had recorded a 3-1 win against Brazil’s Livia Lima, Giulia Takahashi and Laura Watanabe; in a rather closer contest Paula Medina, Maria Perdomo and Cory Tellez had secured a 3-2 success in opposition to the host nation’s Camila Arguelles, Ana Codina and Agustina Iwasa.

The men’s team and women’s team events over; attention now turns to the individual competitions; play concludes in Buenos Aires on Sunday 7th April.

South American Championships – Schedule

South American Championships: Schedule of Play (Wednesday 3rd April)

South American Championships – Seeding

South American Championships: Men’s Team & Women’s Team – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)

South American Championships: Men’s Singles – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)
South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)

South American Championships: Men’s Doubles – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)
South American Championships: Women’s Doubles – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)
South American Championships: Mixed Doubles – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)

South American Championships: Under 21 Men’s Singles – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)
South American Championships: Under 21 Women’s Singles – Seeding (Wednesday 3rd April)

South American Championships – Draws

South American Championships: Men’s Team – Stage One (Wednesday 3rd April)
South American Championships: Women’s Team – Stage One (Wednesday 3rd April)

South American Championships: Men’s Singles – Stage One (Friday 5th April)
South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Stage One (Friday 5th April)

South American Championships: Men’s Doubles – Main Draw (Saturday 6th April)
South American Championships: Women’s Doubles – Main Draw (Saturday 6th April)
South American Championships: Mixed Doubles – Main Draw (Saturday 6th April)

South American Championships: Under 21 Men’s Singles – Stage One (Friday 5th April)
South American Championships: Under 21 Men’s Singles – Main Draw (Friday 5th April)

South American Championships: Under 21 Women’s Singles – Stage One (Friday 5th April)
South American Championships: Under 21 Women’s Singles – Main Draw (Friday 5th April)

South American Championships – Results

South American Championships: Men’s Team – Complete Results (Thursday 4th April)
South American Championships: Women’s Team – Complete Results (Thursday 4th April)