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Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge, Spanish Open

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Highlights: Latin Americans shine on opening day

20 Mar 2019

Prominent names on first day duty, Wednesday 20th March, experienced differing fortunes in the qualification stage of proceedings at the Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Spanish Open in Guadalajara; convincing wins were combined with somewhat surprise defeats.

Notably in the women’s singles event Latin America enjoyed success, in the men’s singles, a player who had enjoyed success some 15 years ago on the ITTF World Tour, underlined that he is still not to be underestimated.

Melanie Diaz endured exacting times but emerged in first place (Photo: Alvaro Diaz)

by Ian Marshall, Editor

There was plenty of action to keep the crowd enthralled.

Men’s Singles Qualification

…………winner in 2005 on the ITTF World Tour in Rio de Janeiro, now 38 years old, Romania’s Adrian Crisan proved his quality; in his one and only contest of the day he beat Austria’s Christian Frederich (11-8, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7)

…………leading names on initial stage duty, Denmark’s Tobias Rasmussen and Frenchman Joe Seyfried both made successful starts to their campaigns. Tobias Rasmussen beat Spain’s Javier Soria (11-1, 11-9, 11-7), Joe Seyfried accounted for Hungary’s Sebestyn Kovas (11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6)

………….Romania’s Bogdan Singeorzan and Russia’s Andrey Semenov were the players to cause the biggest upsets; both beat the highest rated player in their respective groups. Andrey Semenov accounted for the host nation’s Carlos Franco (11-6, 11-8, 11-7), Bogdan Singeorzan overcame Italy’s Marco Rech Daldosso (5-11, 11-8, 6-11, 14-12, 11-9). Currently on the world rankings, Carlos Franco is named at no.221, Andrey Semenov at no.775; similarly Marco Rech Daldosso stands at no.191, Bogdan Singeorzan at no.191

Women’s Singles Qualification

………….Russia’s Ekaterina Guseva caused the first upset of the day; in her opening match she beat Audrey Zarif of France, at no.139 the highest rated player on qualification stage duty. Ekaterina Guseva is listed at no.460

………….Puerto Rico’s Melanie Diaz performed the recovery of the day. She fought back from a two games to nil deficit to beat Slovenia’s Ana Tofant (10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5) to secure first place in her group on a good day for Latin America. Argentina’s Camila Arguelles and Mexico’s Yadira Silva both topped their respective groups

………….Japan’s Ayana Morita, although only listed at no.544 on the world rankings, sounded warning signs that she is a contender for honours. She beat Germany’s Wan Yuan, listed at no.148, in four games (7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9)

Under 21 Men’s Singles Qualification

………….the leading names, Italy’s Daniele Pinto, Frenchman Jules Rolland and Slovenia’s Peter Hribar all secured first places in their respective groups

Under 21 Women’s Singles Qualification

………….winner of European under 21 title in Gondomar earlier in the month, Romania’s Adina Diaconu made her intentions clear that she is in search of a repeat success. She opened her accounted by overcoming Slovakia’s Monika Urikova

Challenge Series 2019 Seamaster Spanish Open Melanie Diaz Yadira Silva Camila Arguelles Adrian Crisan

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Day 3 - Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Spanish Open