by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
In the group stage of proceedings he steered Paraguay, the no.6 seeds, to a surprise three-two win again Chile, the no.4 seeds, accounting for both Gustavo Gomez (9-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6) and Felipe Olivares (11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6).
A narrow success against Chile, it was the same against Guatemala, in the contest which secured Paraguay top spot. Marcelo Aguirre beat Kevin Montufar (11-8, 11-3, 11-7) and Hector Gatica (11-7, 11-8, 11-5) as yet another full distance win was recorded. Chile duly emerged in runners up spot and thus advanced to the last eight.
Two hard fought victories, against Peru, who had finished in second place in their group behind the United States, life was less torturous. Again supported by Alejandro Toranjos and Axel Gavilan once more Marcelo Aguirre proved the backbone of victory as a three-one success was recorded when facing the trio of Rodrigo Halgo, Bryan Blas and Jhon Lou. Notably Marcelo Aguirre beat Rodrigo Hidalgo (11-8, 11-7, 11-9) and Bryan Blas (11-2, 11-2, 11-6).
Impressive from Marcelo Aguirre, it was also impressive from Adar Alguetti as he guided the United States to a three-two quarter-final success against Mexico’s Marcos Madrid, Ricardo Villa and Damien Arce. He beat Marcos Madrid (11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5) and Ricardo Villa to prove the mainstay of the win (11-9, 11-9, 11-6).
Likewise at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Team event, there were two wins from Felipe Olivares who lined up once again alongside Juan Lamadrid and Gustavo Gomez. In opposition to Argentina, he beat Gaston Alto (11-9, 11-9, 1-11, 12-14, 13-11) and Horacio Cifuentes 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6) but it was not sufficient to prevent a three-two defeat for Chile at the hands of South American neighbours for whom the experienced Pablo Tabachnik completed the line-up.
Hard fought quarter-final contests; the one remaining engagement was less dramatic. Represented by Eric Jouti, Thiago Monteiro and Vitor Isiy; Brazil; the top seeds, beat the Canadian outfit formed by Marko Medjugorac, Jeremy Hazin and Terence Young by three matches to nil.
At the semi-final stage Brazil meets Paraguay, Argentina opposes the United States.
