by Ian Marshall, Editor
Competing in Class 3, in the later stages Gabriel Copola ended the hopes of France. In the quarter-final round he beat Yorick Adjal (11-3, 11-4, 11-5), before ousting Florian Paire by the very narrowest of decisions (11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9); a place in the final booked, rather more comfortably, he accounted for Korea Republic’s Jang Cheolhwan (11-9, 11-2, 11-9) to secure the title.
Gold for Argentina, in Class 5, it was a clean sweep; the host nation provided all four semi-finalists. First place in the group secured, Elias Romero beat Mauro Depergola, the defending champion (11-9, 13-11, 11-9) and Daniel Rodriguez (11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 11-5) to secure the title. In the opposite half of the draw, in the penultimate round, Daniel Rodriguez accounted for Fernando Lerman (11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7).
“Playing against another Argentine is difficult because we know each other quite well, so you have to deal with that as well. I’m happy with the way I’m playing; it gives me energy and hopes for next year. I’m proud not only for representing my home country but also because of the great results we have had here, all the players who made it into the semi-finals are from Argentina. We took the podium! It’s great for the country.” Elias Romero
Success for South America, in Class 1-2, it was the same with Luis Bustamente Flores, a player with eyes on next week’s Costa Rica Para Open. At the final hurdle he overcame Canada’s Peter Isherwood (11-2, 11-4, 11-6), having in the penultimate round ended the hopes of the host nation’s Hector Rivero (11-2, 11-3, 11-3).
“In previous competitions I have been trying to find consistency, to be regular in my game and here I could do it. Slowly but steadily I managed to find that rhythm. We have Costa Rica ahead of us, so this result is a nice boost. I always aim to improve and both tournaments, this and the next one, are important for that. It’s been my goal from the beginning of the season to be a consistent player. I’m finally doing it in the final events of the year.” Luis Bustamente Flores
Meanwhile, in Class 4, the top prize went to Asia but it very nearly finished in the hands of the host continent; at the final hurdle Adyos Astan only emerged successful by the very narrowest of decisions. He beat Chile’s Cristian Gonzalez, in a contest that ebbed and flowed (11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9).
Notably for Luis Bustamente Flores and Gabriel Copola it was one step higher than last year; at the 2017 Copa Tango both were silver medallists.
2018 Copa Tango Para Open: Latest Results and Main Event Draws