by Ian Marshall
Clear cut decisions but there were moments of trepidation in competitions where teams finishing in first and second positions in each of three groups gained qualification.
It was none more so than in the men’s team contest between Puerto Rico and Ecuador, second place in the group being the prize on offer.
Just one of the five matches did not extend the full five games; that being the second contest when Alberto Miño overcame Daniel Gonzalez in straight games (11-8, 11-4, 11-5).
However, Daniel Gonzalez was to have the last laugh; after in the fourth match of the engagement Alberto Miño had accounted for Brian Afanador (11-7, 14-12, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7) to level matters, he overcame Rodrigo Tapia (8-11, 6-11, 9-11, 15-13, 11-6) to secure victory for the Caribbean island.
Earlier, in the opening match of the fixtures Brian Afanador had beaten Rodrigo Tapia (13-15, 11-13, 11-2, 11-6, 11-3), in the third contest Angel Naranjo had prevailed against Emiliano Riofrio (11-7, 14-12, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7).
First place for Argentina
Second place for Puerto Rico, it was top spot for Argentina; the trio comprising Gaston Alto, Santiago Lorenzo and Francisco Sanchi recorded a 3-0 win against Guyana’s Joel Alleyne, Shemar Britton and Chris Franklin to complete their initial stage fixtures unbeaten.
In the remaining groups, Chile represented by Gustavo Gomez, Juan Lamadrid and Felipe Olivarez recorded a 3-1 win against Peru’s Felippe Duffoo, Rodrigo Hidalgo and Adrian Rubinos to secure second spot behind Brazil.
The Brazilians completed their fixtures the previous day.
Canada and United States progress
Similarly, Canada’s Chen Hongtao, Edward Ly and Eugene Wang claimed runners up spot by recording the same margin of victory in opposition the Guatemala outfit comprising Hector Gatica, Allan Gutierrez and Heber Moscoso.
Top spot in the group was reserved by the United States.
Selecting Sharon Alguetti, Zhang Kai and Zhang Yahao, a 3-0 margin of victory was posted against the Barbados trio formed by Tyrese Knight, Ramon Maxwell and Tre Riley.
Zhang Mo steers Canada home
A tense contest to secure a ticket to the 2022 World Team Championships, it was the same in the women’s singles competition.
Canada recorded a 3-2 win again Guatemala to secure runners up behind the United States who completed their group phase matches the previous day unbeaten.
Backbone of the success was Zhang Mo. She beat Mabelyn Enriquez (11-3, 11-2, 11-8) and Lucia Cordero (11-5, 11-3, 11-5), the latter a contest that set the scene for Ivy Laio to be the heroine of the hour. She overcame Mabelyn Enriquez in five games to secure the victory (11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 7-11, 11-6).
The wins for Guatemala were recorded by Lucia Cordero against Ivy Liao (9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 13-11) and Hidalynn Zapata in opposition to Fu Ching Nam (11-2, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10).
Comprehensive wins
Hard fought success for Canada, in the women’s team event, for Argentina, Brazil and Chile, life was less fraught; all concluded their group stage fixtures with 3-0 wins.
Selecting Camila Arguelles, Ana Codina and Camila Kaizoji, Argentina accounted for Peru’s Isabel Duffoo, Francesca Escabedo and Maria Maldonado to reserve runners up spot behind Brazil’s Caroline Kumahara, Bruna Takahashi and Jessica Yamada.
Maintaining the form of the previous day, the Brazilians closed the curtain on their initial stage fixtures by overcoming Costa Rica’s Sharon Diaz, Nicole Granados and Lucia Zavoleta.
Top spot for Chile
First place for Brazil, it was the same for Chile.
Fielding the trio of Judith Morales, Daniela Ortega and Paulina Vega, a comprehensive victory was recorded in opposition to Colombia’s Marta Casas, Manuela Echeverry and Juliana Lozada.
Puerto Rico, who concluded their fixtures the previous day, ended matters in second place.
The two quarter-final fixtures in each of the men’s team and women’s team events will be concluded on Thursday 18th November.
