by Ian Marshall, Editor

However, further down the list somewhat surprise names did appear in the second round draw; Guyana’s Colin France and Elishaba Johnson duly made reservations as did Puerto Rico’s Hector Berrios alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s Arun Roopnarine.

All finished in first positions in their respective groups, overcoming seeded adversaries. Colin France caused the biggest upset, he beat Barbadian Mark Dowell, the no.6 seed (11-5, 3-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8), before recording an opening round success in opposition to Trinidad and Tobago’s Derren Douglas (6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-6).

Similarly, Elishaba Johnson accounted for Marcus Smith, like Mark Dowell from Barbados and the no.11 seed (11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8), before reserving his second round place courtesy of success against Jamaica’s Mark Phillips (12-10, 12-10, 5-11, 8-11, 11-4).

Defeat for Mark Phillips, it was the same for colleague Kane Watson; the no.15 seed, he experienced defeat at the hands of Hector Berrios (11-3, 11-7, 11-8). Now 32 years old and stalwart of Puerto Rican table tennis, he recorded an emphatic first round win in opposition to the host country’s Edino Lewis (11-5, 11-3, 11-2).

Meanwhile, not to be left out, Aaron Roopnarine reserved top spot in his group. Impressively he beat Guyana’s Joel Alleyne, the no.16 seed, prior to overcoming Oscar Birriel, like Hector Berrios from Puerto Rico but at the other end of the experience scale. He is only 13 years old. Aaron Roopnarine prevailed in a full distance five games encounter (5-11, 11-7, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9).

Success for the leading names in the men’s singles event; it was the same in the women’s singles competition where the group matches were completed, the main draw to follow. The Dominican Republic’s Eva Brito and Esmerlyn Castro, the top two seeds, secured first places in their respective groups, as did Guyana’s Trenace Lowe, the no.3 seed and Cuba’s Daniela Fonseca Carrazana, the no.4 seed.

The one surprise first position was that achieved by Trinidad and Tobago’s Brittany Joseph; she ended the day unbeaten, notably accounting for Janae Lewis of Barbados, the no.7 seed (11-4, 11-5, 11-8). Defeat for Janae Lewis but it was her only reverse; she finished the group in second position and thus advanced to the main draw.

Play in Georgetown concludes on Sunday 31st March.

2019 Caribbean Championships: Men’s Team – Complete Results (Wednesday 27th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Women’s Team – Complete Results (Wednesday 27th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Men’s Doubles – Complete Results (Thursday 28th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Women’s Doubles – Complete Results (Thursday 28th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Mixed Doubles – Complete Results (Thursday 28th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Under 21 Men’s Singles – Complete Results (Friday 29th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Under 21 Women’s Singles – Complete Results (Friday 29th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Masters Men’s Singles – Complete Results (Friday 29th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Masters Women’s Singles – Complete Results (Friday 29th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Men’s Singles – Results (Saturday 30th March)

2019 Caribbean Championships: Women’s Singles – Results (Saturday 30th March)