by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
The 18 year old caused an upset by beating Chile’s Juan Lamadrid, the no.6 seed in three straight games (11-6, 11-6, 12-10), but in his next contest was beaten by Uruguay’s Santiago Kocowicz in a full distance five games engagement by the very narrowest of decisions (6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 14-12).
Earlier, Santiago Kocowicz had experienced defeat at the hands of Juan Lamadrid in three straight games (11-5, 11-7, 11-5). Thus games ratio determined the outcome; Francisco Sanchi finished in first place (5:3) with Juan Lamadrid in second position (3:3) and Santiago Kacowicz in third spot (3:5) and thus eliminated.
Players finishing in first and second positions in each of the six groups advanced to main draw.
In the remaining groups matters progressed according to status, Ecuador’s Alberto Miño and Chile’s Gustavo Gomez finished in first places in their respective groups as did the Argentine trio of Gaston Alto, Horacio Cifuentes and Pablo Tabachnik. Similarly, second places were as predicted; Argentina’s Juan Daher and Nicolas Galvano in addition to Chile’s Alfonso Olave and Manuel Moya finished in runners up spots as did Brazil’s Israel Barreto.
One surprise of note and it was the same as matters advanced to the final of the Men’s Doubles event; Argentina’s Lucas Bayona and Juan Daher upset the odds. The no.7 seeds, at the quarter-final stage they ousted Gustavo Gomez and Manuel Moya, the no.2 seeds (12-10, 6-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-8) to reserve their place in the semi-finals where it was journey’s end. They were beaten by colleagues Nicolas Galvano and Pablo Tabachnik, the no.3 seeds (11-9, 12-10, 12-10).
At the final hurdle, Nicolas Galvano and Pablo Tabachnik meet Gaston Alto and Horacio Cifuentes, the top seeds; they reserved their place in the title deciding contest courtesy of success against Ecuador’s Alberto Miño and Emiliano Riofrio (11-2, 11-3, 13-11).
Argentina prominent in the Men’s Doubles event, in the Under 21 Men’s Singles competition it is very much the same scenario; the host nation provided three of the four semi-finalists.
Impressive performances at the quarter-final stage witnessed success for Horacio Cifuentes, the top seed, against Paraguay’s David Leon (11-5, 14-12, 11-5), for Francisco Sanchi, the no.3 seed, when facing Uruguay’s Bruno Moeda (11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8). Likewise, Martin Bentancor, the no.4 seed, overcame Ecuador’s Emiliano Riofrio (6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-13, 11-4). In the one further last eight duel Chile’s Juan Lamadrid, the no.2 seed, beat Uruguay’s Pablo Palou (13-11, 11-4, 11-1).
At the quarter-final stage Horacio Cifuentes meets Francisco Sanchi; Martin Bentancor opposes Juan Lamadrid.
Play in Buenos Aires concluded on Thursday 14th December.
Entries
2017 South American Championships: List of National Associations
2017 South American Championships: List of Entries
Men’s Team & Women’s Team Events
2017 South American Championships: Men’s Team & Women’s Team – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Men’s Team – Results (Monday 11th December)
2017 South American Championships: Women’s Team – Results (Monday 11th December)
Men’s Singles & Women’s Singles Events
2017 South American Championships: Men’s Singles – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Men’s Singles – Stage One – Results (Tuesday 12th December)
2017 South American Championships: Men’s Singles – Main Draw (Tuesday 12th December)
2017 South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Stage One – Results (Tuesday 12th December)
2017 South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Main Draw (Tuesday 12th December)
Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles & Mixed Doubles Events
2017 South American Championships: Men’s Doubles – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Men’s Doubles – Main Draw – Results (Tuesday 12th December)
2017 South American Championships: Women’s Doubles – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Women’s Doubles – Main Draw – Results (Tuesday 12th December)
2017 South American Championships: Mixed Doubles – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Mixed Doubles – Main Draw -Results (Tuesday 12th December)
Under 21 Men’s Singles & Under 21 Women’s Singles Events
2017 South American Championships: Under 21 Men’s Singles – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Under 21 Men’s Singles – Main Draw – Results (Tuesday 12th December)
2017 South American Championships: Women’s Singles – Seeding
2017 South American Championships: Under 21 Women’s Singles – Main Draw – Results (Tuesday 12th December)