by Ian Marshall
A qualification schedule in which players finishing in first and second positions in each of three groups advanced directly to the quarter-finals, the two further places being decided by a preliminary round involving the remaining players, Geovanny Coello and Juan Jesus Gomez were very much the players in form.
They emulated Shemar Britton who, the previous day, had completed the group phase unbeaten.
Concluding initial stage contests
Geovanny Coello accounted for Moises Duffoo (11-4, 11-6, 11-4, 12-14, 11-9) in his final initial phase contest, in a more exacting engagemnent, Juan Jesus Gomez overcame Jeremy Cedeño (12-10, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4) to achieve the same feat.
“It was very hard, very difficult playing at high altitude. I think that affected my game” Moises Duffoo
Defeats for Moises Duffoo and Jeremy Cedeño but both recovered, both enjoyed preliminary round success.
Moises Duffoo beat Ecuador’s Paul Ponce (11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7); Jeremy Cedeño accounted for Puerto Rico’s Yadier Lopez (11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8).
Second places
Meanwhile, for John Espinosa, Derek Valentin and Rodrigo Vigo second positions were assured following a successful conclusion to their group phase matches.
Rodrigo Vigo beat Paul Ponce (11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3), John Espinosa accounted Yadir Lopez (9-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8); Derek Valentin gained a walk-over when duo to face the absent Julio Li of Peru.
“I am very happy for enter main draw. I think that I have played very well”, Derek Valentin
Play in the main draw in all five events – men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles – now commences.
Matters conclude on Saturday 6th November.
