by Ian Marshall, Editor

It was only lower down the order that surprises accrued.

Men’s Singles

…………Romania’s Cristian Pletea, the leading name on qualification duty secured first place in his group but he was tested; he needed the full five games to beat Argentina’s Martin Bentancor (12-10, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6)

…………Silver medallist at the recent Pan American Championships, Argentina’s Gaston Alto reserved top spot in his group but needed five games to overcome Zhang Kai of the United States (8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3).

…………Chile’s Manuel Moya, Ecuador’s Emiliano Riofrio and Brazil’s Cazuo Matsumoto gained first places in their respective groups contrary to expectations.

Women’s Singles

…………Chile’s Paulina Vega and Daniela Ortega, the respective top two names on qualification stage duty exacted first group places.

…………Puerto Rico’s Daniely Rios was very much the player in form; she beat Norway’s Ilka Duval, the leading name in the group (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4) to secure first place.

…………Mexico’s Yadira Silva upset the order of merit; she topped her group, beating Brazil’s Jessica Yamada (11-5, 11-8, 11-7).

Under 21 Men’s Singles

…………Argentina’s Martin Bentancor secured first place in his group against expectations; he remained unbeaten notably accounting for Chile’s Nicolas Burgos, the highest listed in his group (12-10, 8-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-7).

Under 21 Women’s Singles

…………Camila Kaizoji, like Martin Bentancor from Argentina, emerged the surprise name to secure first place in the group stage. She concluded her initial phase matches unbeaten, accounting for Paraguay’s Rebecca Cuenca (11-3, 11-7, 11-5) in her concluding contest.