by Simon Daish
Competing against the odds, no.10 seeds Jorge Campos and Daniela Fonseca Carrazana saw off higher seeded opposition for the fourth fixture in a row with Chilean no.5 seeds Juan Lamadrid and Paulina Vega feeling their wrath at the final hurdle (9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 14-12, 11-7).
Responsible for the notable elimination of Argentine no.3 seeds Horacio Cifuentes and Camila Arguelles in the last four (11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 16-14, 6-11, 11-8), Lamadrid and Vega actually enjoyed the better of the match’s opening exchanges and looked in good stead: two games played, it was the Chileans who held the advantage.
Their luck, however, was about to take a turn for the worse as Campos and Fonseca Carrazana hit back with a marvellous response!
The comeback should come as no surprise for Fonseca Carrazana had been responsible for multiple comeback surprises in the women’s singles draw, while Campos was a man in form. Pulling level with back-to-back game wins, the Cuban pair then saved two game point opportunities in the crucial fifth to move ahead for the first time in the contest. Sitting 3-2 in front with momentum firmly in their grasp, Campos and Fonseca Carrazana made sure of the win soon after with another mighty effort in game six bringing proceedings to a close.
Victory assured, Campos dropped to his knees in disbelief before embracing Fonseca Carrazana and his compatriots. The Cuban pair achieved exactly what they set out to on a day they’ll never forget!
Earlier, Campos and Fonseca Carrazana had accounted for the no.7 seeds from Paraguay, Marcelo Aguirre and Leyla Gomez (11-7, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7), prior to a straight games victory over Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy and Bruna Takahashi, seeded second (11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 17-15). In the semi-finals the Cubans were at it again, beating Mexican no.4 seeds Marcos Madrid and Yadira Silva (12-10, 13-11, 5-11, 11-8, 12-10).
Congratulations to Jorge Campos and Daniela Fonseca Carrazana on a successful campaign in Rosario, their ticket to Tokyo 2020 has been secured.
