by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Represented by Carlos Fernandez, Adolfo Cucho and José Zapata, the Peruvians posted a three-nil quarter-final success against El Salvador’s Mateo Martinez, Enzo Leiva and Edgardo Sanchez.

A relatively comfortable win, the semi-final was very different; Colombia proved most worthy opponents.

Man of the moment for Peru was Adolfo Cucho; he beat both Santiago Montes (11-9, 11-5, 11-5) and, in the vital fifth and deciding match of the fixture, he overcame David Perdomo (11-8, 14-12, 11-6). The one remaining success for Peru was recorded in the opening match of the engagement when Carlos Fernandez accounted for David Perdomo (11-9, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8).

Notably the Colombians were in form; one round earlier they had recorded a three-one success against Puerto Rico, the trio of Angel Naranjo, Jabdiel Torres and Daniel Hernandez being surprise group winners one day earlier.

Testing contests for Peru; it was exactly the same for the Argentine outfit comprising Matias Guadalupe, Luciano Alto and Matias Velarde.

At the quarter-final stage, they were extended the full five match distance by the Brazilian trio formed by Diogo Silva, Daniel Godoi and Kenzo Carmo; the player to cause the problems being Diogo Silva. He remained unbeaten, accounting for Luciano Alto in the opening match of the fixture (11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 5-11, 11-6) and in the fourth match of the contest overcoming Matias Guadalupe (8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6).

Hero of the hour for Argentina was Luciano Alto; in the vital fifth and deciding match of the fixture, he beat Daniel Godoi (13-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7).

A testing quarter-final contest; the semi-final was no different; a three-two win was the end result against Mexico’s Dario Arce, Adrian Castillo and Alberto Lopez.

Mainstay of victory was Matias Guadalupe. He beat both Adrian Castillo (11-7, 11-4, 11-3) and Dario Arce (11-3, 12-10, 12-10). The one further win for Argentina was recorded by Luciano Alto; once again required to compete in the decisive fifth match, he overcame Adrian Castillo to secure the victory (11-3, 3-11, 11-7, 11-3).

The final will be played on Thursday 10th August.

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Prospectus (Monday 7th August

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Entries (Monday 7th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Schedule of Play (Monday 7th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Team Seeding (Monday 7th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Results – Cadet Boys’ Team (Wednesday 9th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Results – Cadet Girls’ Team (Wednesday 9th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Boys’ Doubles (Friday 11th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Girls’ Doubles Friday 11th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: Main Draw – Mixed Doubles (Friday 11th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: First Stage – Boys’ Singles (Thursday 10th August)

2017 Latin American Cadet Championships: First Stage – Girls’ Singles (Thursday 10th August)