by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Arguably the most impressive performance was that of Marc Gutierrez, he recorded a straight games win in opposition to Chile’s Fabian Albornoz (11-2, 11-1, 11-9); like Miguel Nuñez, he was most imposing in his opening contest. He accounted for Egypt’s Karem Elhakem (11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7).

Noteworthy effortsd, Daniel Palacios was not to be overshadowed, he recovered from an opening game deficit to beat Romania’s Bogdan Singeorzan (6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6).

Comfortable wins for Miguel Nuñez, Marc Gutierez and Daniel Palacios; for Ivan Cristobal and Jon Ander Guerricabeita, life was more testing. Both emerged successful by the minimal margin in the deciding fifth game. Ivan Cristobal accounted for Puerto Rico’s Gabriel Perez (5-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9); Jon Ander Guerricabeita overcame colleague Javier Soria (11-8, 5-11, 4-11, 12-10, 12-10).

Meanwhile, in the Under 21 Women’s Singles event, Andrea Perez and Ana Garcia were in no mood for charity, as like Jon Ander Guerricabeita, they beat compatriots. Andrea Perez overcame Yolanda Enriquez (7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10); Ana Garica accounted for Maria del Pilar Martin (11-3, 12-10, 11-7).

In the Under 21 Men’s Singles event, players finishing in first places in each of the 14 groups plus two “Lucky Losers” drawn at random from the second placed players, join the 16 seeded players in the main draw.

Somewhat differently in the Under 21 Women’s Singles event, players who end the initial stage proceedings in first places in each of the eight groups, join the eight seeds in the main draw.