by Ian Marshall
The wins recorded by Thais Severo and Sophia Kelmer were very much contrary to expectations.
Thais Severo accounted for Argentina’s Maria Garrone, the top seed (11-8, 11-9, 11-9) to secure the class 1-5 title; in a group organised event, in class 6-10, Sophia Kelmer finished in top spot ahead of Giselle Muñoz, also from Argentina.
Prominent names
Somewhat differently, Guilherme da Costa and Lucas Carvalho commenced matters the most prominent name on duty.
Guilherme da Costa beat the host nation’s Guilherme Bustamente (11-3, 5-11, 11-1, 11-7) to claim the class 1-2 title; in a group administered event, it was first position inn and class 9 for Lucas Carvalho ahead of Canada’s Asad Syed.
Argentina
Likewise, there was notable success for Argentina’s men.
Additional to Elias Romero who had won class 5 the previous day, there was success Gabriel Copola and Dario Neira.
Gabriel Copola justified his top seeded position to emerge the class 3 winner, beating Chile’s Alfonso Diaz, the no.2 seed (11-4, 12-10, 7-11, 11-2).
Conversely, not listed amongst the leading names, Dario Neira emerged the class 10 winner. In the final he accounted for Brazil’s Claudio Massad, the no.2 seed (8-11,11-5,11-8, 14-12).
Chile
Overall, three titles for Argentina; it was two for Chile.
Maximiliano Rodriguez emerged the class 4 winner, overcoming Brazil’s Eziquiel Babes in the final (7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 13-11, 13-11), the semi-final winner the previous day in opposition to Cristian Gonzalez, like Maximiliano Rodriguez from Chile (11-6, 7-11, 10-14, 14-12, 11-4).
Success against the odds for Maximiliano Rodriguez; it was as predicted for colleague, Matias Pino, the top seed in class 6. In an all Chilean final, he beat Ignacio Torres, the no.2 seed (5-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 15-13).
Success for top seeds
Meanwhile, in the remaining events, it was success for the top seeds.
The Czech Republic’s Daniel Horhut beat Brazil’s Paulo Fonseca (11-9, 13-11, 12-10) to claim the class 7 title; Japan’s Arufuahirokazu Takeishi overcame Argentina’s Alejandro Perez (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11) in the class 8 final.
Play now focuses on the team events; proceedings conclude on Sunday 21st November.
