Havana, March 22 (JIT) - Cuba was among the winning nations in the WTT Feeder Table Tennis Beirut 2024, thanks to the performance of Andy Pereira and Jorge Moises Campos in the doubles final against India's Manav Vikash Thakkar and Manush Utpalbhai Shah.
In the capital of Lebanon, the duo from the Island needed corrections in the beginning of the decisive duel, whose outcome was sealed with scores of 5-11, 11-7, 13-11 and 14-12.
"They faced a very complicated match, with very fast opponents. At one point in the match I had to tell them to take the forward position because the balls were coming to them very fast. They started playing in the middle and in the back, positions where the angles open up and it is difficult to respond well," coach Dobay Carmona, who was very happy with the outcome, told JIT from the headquarters.
The coach added that under these circumstances, his pupils focused their tactics on short hits with a lot of downward spin.
"I also instructed them to vary the spin on the inside serves to counteract the impact of their left-handed player, who caused a lot of damage. I think those details helped them to succeed," added the strategist.
Andy, Jorge Moises and Daniela Fonseca made inroads in the tournament's singles without getting close to the prize money.
"We continue to prove that we can, this couple appears in the top 20 in the world. We are happy to compete at this level. Individually I also feel very good", commented Andy, who together with Moises won the gold medal in doubles during the XIX Pan American Games of Santiago 2023.
Carmona confirmed that the three players will participate from this Friday in the second segment of the Lebanese competition, although the men's doubles was not registered.
In the men's competition, they will start their actions in the round of 64 against local players: Andy against Ibrahim Badih and Jorge Moises against Bassam Safadhie. Daniela will face Chilean Paulina Vega in the same round.
According to their level, the debut of Campos and Fonseca in the mixed doubles will take place on the same day, as part of the main group.On the other side of the table they will find the Indians Manush Utpalbhai Shah and Diya Parag Chitale.
The couple from the Island qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by winning this modality in the continental multisport event held last year in Santiago de Chile.
They are taking advantage of this competition to seek points to improve their position in the universal ranking, on which the draw for the French event depends.
Andy participates with similar pretensions, as he is immersed in the fight for an individual ticket to the event in the City of Light, which will be distributed through the world ranking.
