(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT)
This year’s Pan Am Cup was hosted in Corpus Christi, Texas. In Men’s Singles, Nicolas Burgos was the top seed and Andy Pereira were the top seeds, and American’s Sid Naresh and Jishan Liang hoped the home field would provide an advantage. But, in the end, the biggest story was Canada’s lone qualifier – Edward Ly. Ly came ready to play, upsetting Andy Pereira in the opening round, and then defeating Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy in the Quarters. Ly then faced off against Daniel Gonzalez in the Semifinals and won 4-1 before defeating top seeded Nicolas Burgos 4-0 in the Final.
The Americans each lost their opening match 2-4, Jishan Liang lost to Nicolas Burgos and Sid Naresh lost to Vitor Ishay. Puerto Rico’s two entrants each won their opening match, Daniel Gonzaelz over Santiago Lorenzo 4-2, and Brian Afandor 4-0 over Juan Jesus Gomez. Afanador then fell in the Quarters to Alberto Mino while Gonzalez advanced one more round by defeating Gustavo Gomez (before losing in the Semis to Edward Ly).
Both Americans reached the Semifinals in Women’s Singles. Amy Wang topped Yadira Silva, and Giulia Takahashi on her path to the Semifinals and then beat Mo Zhang to reach the Final. Lily Zhang defeated Lucia Cordero and Ivy Liao before falling to second seeded Takahashi Bruna 4-3 in the Semifinals. In the Final, Amy Wang met the same fate as Lily Zhang, losing 4-3 to Bruna Takahashi. Still, TeamUSA secured a Silver and Bronze in the event – a solid showing for the host country.
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