by Ian Marshall

Surprise finalists, a 3-0 win for Brazil, the no.6 seeds, against Chile, the no.8 seeds, secured the top prize for the South Americans.

Diogo Silva beat Jeremias Paredes (9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5), Kenzo Carmo accounted for Eusebio Vos (6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8)/

Somewhat appropriately Henrique Noguti overcame Matias Pedraza (11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6) to reserve the top step of the podium. Always being selected to play the third match in a fixture, Henrique Noguti remained unbeaten throughout the three days of competition.

Earlier in the day Brazil had recorded a 3-1 win against the United States, the top seeds; Diogo Silva the mainstay of the victory. He beat both Sid Naresh (11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8) and Jayden Zhou (11-8, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8), the one further success being recorded by Henrique Noguti against Aziz Zarebin (12-14, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8).

Success in the penultimate round against the odds for Brazil, it had been the same for Chile; they posted a 3-2 win against Puerto Rico, the no.3 seeds.

Backbone of the success was Eusebio Vos, he beat both Pablo Figueroa (11-6, 11-8, 13-11) and Angel Naranjo (11-5, 13-11, 11-7); hero of the hour was Jeremias Paredes, in the vital fifth and concluding match of the engagement, he recovered from a two games to nil deficit to overcome Pablo Figueroa (8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-3).

Bronze for the United States boys’ team, for the girls it was gold; most notably Amy Wang and Joanna Sung remained unbeaten throughout the three days.

Amy Wang proved a step ahead of the field, always selected to play the “quick ones”, the second and third matches of a fixture.

In the final against Mexico, the no.3 seeds, she accounted for Clio Barcenas (11-5, 11-6, 11-4) and Arantxa Cossio (11-9, 11-5, 11-6) in a 3-1 success.

The one further win for the champions elect came from Joanna Sung, in the third match of the fixture, she beat Monica Muñoz (11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9). The one win for Mexico was secured by Arantxa Cossio; in the opening engagement she overcame Rachel Sung (7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8).

Earlier at the semi-final stage, with Angie Tan preferred to Joanna Sung, the United States had recorded a 3-1 margin of victory against the no.6 seeds, Puerto Rico’s Brianna Burgos, Fabiola Diaz and Alondra Rodriguez.

Similarly, fielding the same selection as in the final, Mexico had claimed a 3-0 win against the no.2 seeds, Brazil’s Livia Lima, Giulia Takahashi and Laura Watanabe.

Attention now focuses on the individual events; proceedings conclude in Santo Domingo on Saturday 18th September.