by Ian Marshall, Editor

The 17 year old caused a major quarter-final upset by beating compatriot, Gaston Alto, the no.4 seed, by the very narrowest of seven game margins (8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 2-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9) to book his place in the penultimate round where he meets the defending champion, Ecuador’s Alberto Miño, the top seed.

Success for Alberto Miño but like Santiago Lorenzo it was hard earned and similarly against experienced Argentine opposition. He accounted for Pablo Tabachnik, the no.7 seed, in a full distance duel (9-11, 11-4, 12-10, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7).

“It was really difficult because I couldn’t receive his serves well; that put a little more pressure on me because I had to win the points with my services. Everything hinged on the start on the sixth game; I was down 3-5, took a “Time Out”, changed my receive, played more aggressively and won 11-5.” Alberto Miño

One outcome as anticipated, one surprise; it was the same in the lower half of the draw, with Chile enjoying success at the expense of Argentina. Felipe Olivares, the no.2 seed, beat Francisco Sanchi, the no.10 seed (11-6, 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6); Manuel Moya, the no.15 seed, accounted for Nicolas Galvano, the no.3 seed (11-7, 12-10, 11-5, 11-8).

Progress to the penultimate round in the men’s singles event for the top seeds, it was the same in the women’s singles competition. At the quarter-final stage Colombia’s Paula Medina beat Argentina’s Ana Codina, the no.5 seed (4-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8) and now faces the reigning champion, Chile’s Daniela Ortega, the no.3 seed. She reserved her place in the last four courtesy of success in opposition to Corey Tellez, the no.8 seed and like Paula Medina from Colombia. She prevailed in five games (12-10, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9).

Progress for Daniela Ortega, in the lower half of the draw it was progress for colleague Judith Morales, the no.6 seed and Paulina Vega, the no.2 seed. In the round of the last eight, Judith Morales beat Argentina’s Camila Arguelles, the no.4 seed (10-12, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8), Paulina Vega ended the hopes of Brazilian qualifier Livia Lima (11-8, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8).

Good form from Paulina Vega, it had been the same earlier in the day in partnership with Nicolas Burgos. The no.3 seeds, after accounting for Peru’s Rodrigo Hidalgo and Francesca Vargas, the no.8 seeds (11-8, 11-6, 11-5) and quarter-final winners in opposition to Argentina’s Gaston Alto and Ana Codina, the no.2 seeds (13-11, 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4), they sealed the title at the final expense of colleagues, Manuel Moya and Judith Morales (11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5).

Earlier at the semi-final stage, Manuel Moya and Judith Morales, the no.4 seeds, had caused a major upset; they ousted Argentina’s Nicolas Galvano and Camila Arguelles, the top seeds (4-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5).

Play in Buenos Aires concludes 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 & Results – Individual Events

South American Championships: Men’s Singles – Stage One – Results (Friday 5th April)
South American Championships: Men’s Singles – Main Draw – Results (Saturday 6th April)

South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Stage One – Results (Friday 5th April)
South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Main Draw – Results (Saturday 6th April)

South American Championships: Men’s Doubles – Main Draw – Results (Friday 5th April)
South American Championships: Women’s Doubles – Main Draw – Results (Friday 5th April)
South American Championships: Mixed Doubles – Main Draw (Saturday 6th April)

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

South American Championships – Results – Team Events

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