Penultimate round places decided, Brazil and Chile upset seeding

by Ian Marshall

In the men’s team event, Gustavo Gomez proved the player in form as Chile, the no.6 seeds, recorded a 3-2 win in opposition to Puerto Rico, the no.4 seeds.

He accounted for both Daniel Gonzalez (4-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-7) and Brian Afanador (11-13, 20-18, 11-9, 11-7) to set the scene for Juan Lamadrid to be the hero of the hour; in the vital fifth and deciding match he overcame Daniel Gonzalez (11-5, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5).

The wins for Puerto Rico were secured by Brian Afanador in opposition to Juan Lamadrid (11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6) and by Angel Naranjo when facing Felipe Olivares (11-8, 11-1, 11-2).

Juan Lamadrid won the vital fifth and deciding match to secure victory against Puerto Rico (Photo: Santiago Regaira)

Defeat at same stage

A close defeat for Puerto Rico in the men’s team event; at the same stage of the women’s competition, it was more convincing.

Notably, Adriana Diaz, the women’s singles winner earlier in the tournament, did not appear in the Puerto Rican line-up; the trio comprising Fabiola Diaz, Melanie Diaz and Daniely Rios, the no.2 seeds, experienced a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil’s Caroline Kumahara, Bruna Takahashi and Jessica Yamada.

Bruna Takahashi led Brazil to success against Puerto Rico (Photo: Santiago Regaira)

Argentine success

Somewhat similarly, there was no Eugene Wang, the men’s singles runner up, in the Canadian line-up for the men’s team quarter-final contest against Argentina. The no.5 seeds, the selection read Chen Hongtao, Edward Ly and Martin Matteo.

Occupying the no.3 seeded spot, fielding Gaston Alto, Horacio Cifuentes and Santiago Lorenzo, Argentina recorded an impressive 3-0 win.

A successful day for Santiago Lorenzo (Photo: Santiago Regaira)

Reverse scenario

Success for Argentina against Canada, in the women’s team event, it was the reverse scenario; a 3-1 verdict was the outcome for the outfit from north of the border.

Backbone of the victory was Zhang Mo; she beat both Camila Arguelles (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6) and Ana Codina (24-22, 11-4, 11-6).

Tong May Hui added the one further success by overcoming Ana Codina (11-9, 11-7, 12-10). The one win for Argentina was recorded by Candela Molero; she accounted for Ivy Liao (11-7, 11-8, 11-6).

Zhang Mo en route to beating Camila Arguelles (Photo: Santiago Regaira)

Final day

At the semi-final stage of the men’s team event, Argentina meets Brazil, Chile opposes the United States; in the women’s competition, it is Brazil versus the United States, Argentina in opposition to Chile.

Both the semi-finals and finals of the men’s team and women’s team events will be conducted on Friday 19^th November, the concluding day of play in Lima.