Wednesday, November 1st.- In what has become a classic at the regional level, the second-ranked player in the professional circuit, Diego Elías, and Miguel Ángel Rodríguez (13th in the world) will once again compete for the Pan American gold at Santiago 2023, four years after the Peruvian defeated the Colombian in Lima 2019.

The day at the Centro Deportivo de las Raquetas in Estadio Nacional left no chance for the other competitors. Elías defeated Matías Lacroix (Chile), David Baillargeon (Canada), and Leonel Cárdenas (Mexico), while Rodríguez overcame Josué Enríquez (Team Independent Athletes), Leandro Romiglio (Argentina), and César Salazar (Mexico) to secure a spot in the final.

"The final is a repeat, which was expected. Miguel Ángel and I have been at the top in recent years, and hopefully, it will be a great showdown," Elías reflected after the morning session, while Rodríguez is motivated by the chance for revenge: "We know each other, we've played on the tour, he's a very consistent player. Because of his height, he covers the entire court, and I need to play a physical and strategic game."

In the female's category, the United States dominated the competition, with the fifth-ranked player in the world, Amanda Sophie, defeating Margot Prow (Barbados), Luz Domínguez (Mexico), and her compatriot Marina Stefanoni, all without dropping a set. She will compete for gold against fellow American Olivia Fietcher, who eliminated Ana María Pinto (Chile), Paula Moya (Colombia), and Hollie Naughton (Canada).

The finals are scheduled for this evening: the female's final at 6:00 p.m. and the male's final at 7:00 p.m.

Written by Nicolás Bravo and Nicolás Olea; translated by Josefina Zamrano | Photosport
Photo by Pablo Bigorra / Santiago 2023 / Photosport