Contrary to expectations, Cuba’s Yunier Fernandez had proved the name to note on the opening day of action at the ITTF Copa Tango in Buenos Aires; one day later on Saturday 9th July, Brazil’s Fabio Silva and Paulo Henrique, alongside Chile’s Cristian Gonzalez and Manuel Echaveguren, followed suit.
All upset the order of merit, all emerged surprise winners.
Competing in men’s singles class 3, Fabio Silva accounted for Argentina’s Maximiliano Medina, the top seed (11-7, 11-2, 11-6), prior to claiming the title at the expense of Brazil’s Jean Carlos Padilha (11-3, 13-11, 11-5).
Success against the leading name on duty, for Paulo Henriques it was the same but one round later; in the men’s singles class 7 final, he beat colleague Paulo Salmin (11-8, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6).
Impressive performances, it was no different for Cristian Gonzalez. He accounted for compatriot Maximiliano Rodriguez (13-11, 11-6, 11-4) and Brazil’s Eziquiel Babes (13-11, 11-6, 12-10), the latter the penultimate round winner in opposition to teammate Alexandre Ank, the top seed (11-5, 11-2, 9-11, 11-6).
Likewise, Manuel Echaveguren took advantage of the demise of the top seed. He beat the Brazilian duo of Carlos Carbinatti (11-3, 4-11, 12-10, 11-8) and Claudio Massad (11-5, 4-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8) at the semi-final and final stages respectively. The previous day, the host nation’s Javier Russo, the top seed, had finished in third position in his group and had not qualified for the main draw.
Meanwhile, in the remaining men’s singles events, it was gold for the top seeds. Chile’s Luis Bustamente (class 2) justified his exalted position in the draw, as did Argentina’s Elias Romero (class 5) and Alejandro Perez (class 8).
In a similar vein Great Britain’s Paul Karabardak (class 8) and Brazil’s Lucas Carvalho (class 9) reserved the top prize.
Unexpected men’s singles winners, not in the women’s singles; all three events were won by top seeds, all three by Brazilians.
Thais Severo (class 2-5), Sophia Kelmer (class 7-8) and Bruna Alexandre (class 9-10) emerged victorious.
Men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles events now proceed; play concludes on Sunday 10th July.
