by Ian Marshall
Rank outsider, in the men’s singles event, Job Martinez accounted for Guatemala’s Heber Moscoso, the no.5 seed (9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8), before overcoming Panama’s Jean Carlos Tunon (11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-6).
Defeat for Heber Moscoso but success in his second match, he beat Costa Rica’s José Perez (11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-6) and thus with one match for each player in the group remaining, he kept hopes of a main draw place alive with the first and second placed players in each group qualifying.
Light at the end of the tunnel for Heber Moscoso, but for Panama’s Leonardo Castillo, the no.8 seed, who now meets Rogelio Castro in the concluding group phase match, that light has been extinguished. On the first day of play, Leonardo Castillo lost to El Salvador’s Edgar Sanchez (11-7, 11-9, 11-9) and Costa Rica’s Daniel Araya (11-6, 11-8, 11-7). Conversely, Mexico’s Rogelio Castro beat Daniel Araya (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9), prior to overcoming Edgardo Sanchez (11-6, 11-8, 11-7).
Impressive from Job Martinez and Rogelio Castro, it was even more impressive from Gabriela Suarez and Arantxa Cossio Aceves.
Similarly, first and second positions in each group advancing to the main draw, Gabriela Suarez beat Mexico’s Monica Muñoz, the no.2 seed (10-12, 8-11, 11-6, 17-15, 11-6). Meanwhile, Arantxa Cossio Aceves accounted for Guatemala’s Lucia Cordero, the no.3 seed (11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 11-3).
Gabriela Suarez and Arantxa Cossio Aceves are both on course for top group spot. Gabriela Suarez now potentially faces Costa Rica’s Fiorella Vallecillo; Arantxa Cossio Aceves opposes Costa Rica’s Sharon Diaz.
On the first day of action, in a group of three players, Fiorella Vallecillo was absent for her potential contest against Monica Muñoz. In a group comprising four players, Lucia Cordero beat Sharon Diaz (11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9), Arantxa Cossio Aceves overcame Sol Rojas, also from Costa Rica (11-5, 11-7, 11-5).
In the concluding group matches, Lucia Cordero meets Sol Rojas, Arantxa Cossio Aceves faces Sharon Diaz.
Otherwise, it was a successful day for the leading names. Eight groups in the initial stage of the men’s singles, Mexico’s Ricardo Villa and Miguel Lara ended the day unbeaten as did Guatemala’s Kevin Montufar, Hector Gatica and Allan Gutierrez, alongside El Salvador’s Diego Orantes.
Likewise, in the women’s singles, six groups in the initial phase, it was a successful day for Mexico’s Clio Barcenas and Marbella Aceves, as it was for Guatemala’s Hidalynn Zapata and Andrea Montufar.
Meanwhile, in the doubles events, it was only in the men’s doubles where the leading pairs were called to opening day action.
Moreover, there was a surprise; quarter-final places at stake, in the opening round El Salvador’s Job Martinez and Edgardo Sanchez ousted Panama’s Leonardo Castillo and Emilio Wong, the no.3 seeds (11-5, 5-11, 12-10, 11-8).
Play in the individual events concludes on Sunday 16th May.
