This is the last tournament of the South American series for our quintet. Being a Grade 1 the field is stronger than before, and only James Marsalek was a direct entry. However 3 of the other 4 came through qualifying, with Nick Jones coming back from a first-set bagel to defeat one of the Argentina Cup semi-finalists (Martin Cuevas).
R1 (L64)
James Marsalek (GBR) v (Q) Cesar Torres (PER) Tigre Hank (MEX) v (Q) Jack Carpenter (GBR) (WC) Manuel Agustin Belda (ARG) v (Q) Ashley Hewitt (GBR) (Q) Nick Jones (GBR) v Garret Brasseaux (USA)
Jack's first-round opponent won the Costa Rica Bowl last week, a tournament where Elliot Barnwell (a Warwickshire lad who trains at the Nick Bollettieri Academy) reached the doubles final.
James Marsalek (GBR) d. (Q) Cesar Torres (PER) 6-2 6-7(6) 6-1 (Q) Jack Carpenter (GBR) d. Tigre Hank (MEX) 6-1 6-3 (Q) Ashley Hewitt (GBR) d. (WC) Manuel Agustin Belda (ARG) 6-3 6-3 Garret Brasseaux (USA) d. (Q) Nick Jones (GBR) 6-2 7-6(4)
R2
James Marsalek (GBR) v (13) Renzo Olivo (ARG) (3) Agustin Velotti (ARG) v (Q) Jack Carpenter (GBR) (Q) Ashley Hewitt (GBR) v (12) Facundo Arguello (ARG)
The boys are unlucky in terms of which seeds they have landed up with: Olivo and Arguello have both won one of the COSAT events, whilst Velotti has been runner-up in 2. Half of the seeds are from Japan/Europe and would have been better draws.
Tiago Fernandes (BRA) d. (Q) Jack Carpenter (GBR) 6-4 3-6 6-4
Despite this defeat Jack has confirmed the potential he showed in lower grade tournaments 2 years ago, and will hopefully use this as a springboard to reach the top 100 sooner rather than later.
