by Ian Marshall, Editor
Overall in what was their eighth meeting in a world ranking tournament, it was only the second time when the Chilean had emerged successful; the only previous occasion being at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Singles event in Guadalajara at the 2011 Latin American Championships.
Significantly, the result reversed the decision of just over one year ago at the 2017 Pan American Championships, when Yadira Silva had emerged successful in both the Women’s Team competition (11-4, 11-7, 11-6) and in the same round as in Santiago in the Women’s Singles event (11-7, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7). Furthermore, earlier this year in mid-June at the 2018 ITTF Pan America Cup, in the first round Yadira Silva had prevailed in a most imposing manner; (11-6, 11-9, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4).
In the most recent three matches, Paulina Vega had won just one game!
Success for Paulina Vega but for colleague Daniela Ortega, the no.10 seed, despite a spirited effort and one that bodes well for the future, it was defeat for the 20 year old at the hands of Colombia’s Paula Medina, the no.6 seed (11-2, 6-11, 4-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3).
A hard fought six games win for Paula Medina, it was the same for Brazil’s Gui Lin, the no.8 seed; she was tested by Argentina’s Ana Codina, the no.16 seed (10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3), as to a somewhat lesser extent was Canada’s Zhang Mo, the top seed. She needed five games to overcome the most impressive Dominican Republic teenager, Esmerlyn Castro, the no.32 seed (11-6, 11-1, 11-3, 9-11, 11-4).
Note the names for future reference, Esmerlyn Castro and Daniela Ortega, we will hear more from them.
Otherwise, for the higher rated, in the third round of the Women’s Singles event, it was success in straight games. Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz, the no.2 seed beat Argentina’s Camila Arguelles, the no.9 seed (11-8, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5); alas for elder sister Melanie Diaz, the no.13 seed, it was defeat by a similar margin at the hands of Wu Yue of the United States, the no.3 seed (11-8, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7).
Impressive from Wu Yue, it was the same from colleague, Lily Zhang, the no.7 seed; she accounted for Guatemala’s Mabelyn Enriquez, the no.15 seed (11-8, 11-3, 11-3, 11-9); progress for the United States but there was one defeat. Wang Xinyue, the no.14 seed, was beaten by Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi, the no.4 seed (11-4, 11-7, 12-10, 11-5).
At the quarter-final stage, in the top half of the draw Zhang Mo meets Paula Medina, Gui Lin opposes Wu Yue; in the lower half it is Bruna Takahashi versus Paulina Vega, Lily Zhang in opposition to Adriana Diaz.
The matches will be played later in the day in the evening session of play.
