In the former, Peru’s Rodrigo Hidalgo and Panama’s Jacobo Vahnish prevailed. Meanwhile, in the latter it was success for Maria Maldonado, also from Peru, and Costa Rica’s Sharon Diaz.

A tournament for players under 21 years of age, born in 2000 or later, the event is for those who had not yet qualified through prior regional tournaments; moreover, a National Olympic Committee is only allowed a maximum of two players in the individual events.

Proceedings organised on the knock-out principle but the final not played, there were some tense moments, especially for Jacobo Vahnish and Maria Maldonado.

After accounting for Venezuela’s Luis Vanegas (12-10, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-7), Jacobo Vahnish needed the full seven games to overcome ice-cool Peruvian Felipe Duffoo (11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-8).

Similarly, following success against Panama’s Lia Rodriguez (11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6), Maria Maldonado was extended the full distance by Camila Obando (11-9, 5-11, 4-11, 11-6, 6-11, 16-14, 11-8).

Testing times, for Rodrigo Hidalgo and Sharon Diaz, life was slightly less exacting.

Rodrigo Hidalgo accounted for Panama’s Emilio Wong (11-3, 11-6, 11-7, 11-7) prior to overcoming Venezuela’s Cesar Castillo (7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8) to reserve his Cali place.

Success in five games to claim a ticket to Cali, for Sharon Diaz it was one game more; in the decisive contest she beat Peru’s Ana Aragon (5-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6).

Two more places in each of the men’s singles and women’s singles events will be contested on Thursday 13th May.