21 Jul 2017

The host nation and the Dominican Republic, the leading associations on duty at the 59th Caribbean Region Championships in Havana, Cuba; both imposed their authority on proceedings on the first day of action, Tuesday 18th July.

Two fixtures completed, two contests won in emphatic manner.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Three groups in the first stage of the Men’s Team event; Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica completed their initial itinerary unbeaten and thus in reserved main draw places.

Selecting Livan Martinez, Jorge Campos and Carlos Hernandez; Cuba posted a three-nil win in opposition to the St Kitts and Nevis trio of Baggio Grant, Calvin Lake and Trehdel Lake before, with Andy Pereira replacing Livan Martinez, recording the same margin of victory when facing the Aruba trio of Benny Chung, Johnatan Paredes, Jean-Claude Hoek.

Likewise, the Dominican Republic advanced in style. Represented by Emil Santos, Samuel Galvez and Isaac Vila, a three-nil win was secured in opposition to Guyana’s Christopher Franklin, Shemar Britton and Nigel Bryan, before a three-one success was the order of matters when confronting Puerto Rico. The player to cause the Dominican Republic outfit problems being Hector Berrios, in the opening match of the fixture, he overcame Samuel Galvez (11-3, 11-9, 12-14, 11-9).

One match dropped, it was the same for Jamaica. The combination of Simon Tomlinson, Kane Watson and Rajni Gavin Brown showed no mercy when confronting the Dominica outfit formed by Donald Corriette, Edgar Berridge and Jahell Lewis. However, when opposing St Lucia, they found stiff resistance.

Adrian Albert beat Kane Watson (11-7, 13-11, 14-12), before Simon Tomlinson guided Jamaica home. He recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Chris Wells (9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6. 11-4), before sealing the victory by overcoming Adrian Albert (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6). Sandwiched in between, Kyle Davidson accounted for Andrew Daniels (11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8) to sway the momentum in favour of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Team event where there were two groups in the initial phase; similar to their male counterparts, the Dominican Republic and Cuba asserted their authority.

On duty for the Dominican Republic, Eva Brito, Esmerlyn Castro and Cinthya Sanchez commenced matters with a three-nil win against Guyana’s Chelsea Edgill, Trenace Lowe and Natalie Cummings; the player to pose the questions being Natalie Cummings. In the third match of the fixture, she overcame Cinthya Sanchez (11-8, 11-9, 11-5).

An impressive start, the concluding contest of the day was just as impressive; no change to the line-up, a three-nil win was posted in opposition to the Puerto Rican trio of Alanis Rodriguez, Ana Paola Rivera and Kristie Torres.

Imposing from the Dominican Republic, it was the same from Cuba. Selecting Lisi Castillo, Idalys Lovet and Shelly Machado Fernandez, a three-nil win was recorded against Jamaica’s Brittany Murray, Onika Yanika Francis and Larissa McLaughlin, before with Karla Perez Gonzalez being preferred to Lisi Castillo, the same margin of victory was gained in opposition to Dominica’s Larrysa Dover, Gem Eloi and Alliyah Prince.

The initial stage of both the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events conclude on Wednesday 19th July; in the latter, the Dominican Republic and Cuba have one fixture remaining but the focus is very much on second place and thus progress to the main draw.

 Day One: 59th Caribbean Championships
Photos: Roberto Morejon

 

2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Prospectus (as on Monday 17th July)

2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Schedule of Play (Updated – Tuesaday 18th July)

2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Entries (Updated Tuesday 18th July)

2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Seeding – Team Events (Updated Tuesday 18th July)

2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Results – Men’s Team Stage One (Tuesday 18th July)

2017 Caribbean Regional Championships: Results – Women’s Team Stage One (Tuesday 18th July)

General News 59th Caribbean Championships