by Ian Marshall
Commencing their quest in the second round, the last 16, in the men’s singles event, Jorge Campos accounted for the Dominican Republic’s Emil Santos (11-6, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7), Wu Jiaji overcame Guatemala’s Hector Gatica (9-11, 14-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-5).
Comprehensive wins, it was the same for Yadira Silva, she reserved her place in the last eight of the women’s courtesy of success in opposition to Ecuador’s Nathaly Paredes (11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-2, 11-9). However, for Daniela Fonseca Carrazana, life was very different, far more exacting – she was required to recover from a three games to one deficit to beat Venezuela’s spirited Neridee Nino (5-11, 11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4).
Success for those who had experienced defeat in the decisive stage one matches; in the men’s singles, it was the same for those who had departed one round earlier.
The host nation’s Gaston Alto emerged successful when facing Cuba’s Andy Pereira (10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4, 11-9), Chile’s Juan Lamadrid ousted Venezuela’s Cecilio Correa (11-7, 11-2, 11-5, 11-8), and Mexico’s Marcos Madrid defeated Gustavo Gomez from Chile (11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2, 5-11, 11-6). In a similar vein, Ecuador’s Alberto Miño prevailed in opposition to Paraguay’s Alejandro Toranzos (11-4, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9).
Defeat for Alejandro Toranzos but there was success for one notable Paraguayan. Marcelo Aguirre, who had started the tournament as the top seed but in the first phase experienced defeat in his opening match when confronting Jorge Campos (11-8, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7), made a most positive start to his campaign. He beat Colombia’s Alexander Echavarria (11-7, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6).
Similarly in the women’s singles, Guatemala’s Marbelyn Enriquez and the Dominican Republic’s Eva Brito, first stage quarter-finalists, progressed, but for Mexico’s Monica Muñoz and Argentina’s Camila Arguelles it was the end of the road.
Mabelyn Enriquez beat Guyana’s Chelsea Edghill (11-8, 2-11, 11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8), Eva Brito ended the hopes of Paraguay’s Lucero Ovelar (4-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9, 4-11, 11-4). Conversely, Camila Arguelles was beaten by Cuba’s Idalys Lovat (11-9, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9), Monica Muñoz by Colombia’s Paula Medina (7-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4).
Play in both the men’s singles and women’s singles events concludes on Friday 16th April; in the men’s event the finalists qualify for Tokyo 2020 (the final will not be played), in the women’s event only the winner qualifies.
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Jorge Campos (CUB) v Juan Lamadrid (CHI)
Daniel Gonzalez (PUR) v Alberto Miño (ECU)
Marcos Madrid (MEX) v Gaston Alto (ARG)
Wu Jiaji (DOM) v Marcelo Aguirre (PAR)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Yadira Silva (MEX) v Eva Brito (DOM)
Daniela Ortega (CHI) v Idalys Lovat (CUB)
Mabelyn Enriquez (GUA) v Paula Medina (COL)
Daniela Fonseca Carrazana (CUB) v Esmerlyn Castro (DOM)
