Costa Rica Open QF: Vargas, Lopez and Bautista Take Shock Wins

There were plenty of shocks on the second day of the Costa Rica Open, as Colombian Lucia Bautista and the Mexican pair of Leo Vargas and Sarahi Lopez secured upset wins to move into the semi-finals.

The women’s draw kicked off on Thursday afternoon, and Mexico’s Lopez caused a huge upset, as she defeated top seed Diana Garcia in a thrilling five-game encounter, where she had to come from behind. Lopez found herself 2-1 down after losing the third game 16-14, before fighting back to win both the fourth and fifth games by an 11-9 scoreline, securing a massive win.

She will now face No.8 seed Lucia Bautista in the semi-finals, after the Colombia’s overcame compatriot Maria Tovar, the No.4 seed, in a five-game battle. Like Lopez, the Colombian was also behind after three games, but battled back to send the match into a decider. Bautista eventually won it on a tie-break 13-11, to move through to the last four.

The other women’s semi-final will see Colombia’s Laura Tovar take on Mexico’s Diana Gasca after the pair came through their respective last eight clashes. Beating the Guatemalan pair of Darlyn Sandoval and Mary Mijas.

The men’s event at the Challenger 5 level competition got underway on Wednesday, with Mexico’s Leo Vargas causing a first round upset. He did the same in the quarter finals, getting the better of No.4 seed Allan Nunez in four games. His fellow Mexican won the third to draw closer in the contest, but Vargas was able to regroup to win the fourth 11-5, advancing to the semis.

He will now take on top seed Josue Enriquez in the last four, while the other semi-final in the men’s event will see Paraguayan No.1 Francesco Marcantonio and Argentina’s Jeremias Azana do battle.

The semis of the SACC Costa Rica Open will take place on Friday, November 11, with the final four in both draws doing battle to reach the finals. You can keep up to date with all the live scores from the tournament here. 

Men’s Quarter Final Results: SACC Costa Rica Open
[1] Josue Enriquez (GUA) bt [7] Luis Quisquinay (GUA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (29m)
Leo Vargas (MEX) bt [4] Allan Nunez (MEX) 3-1: 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5 (51m)
[3] Jeremias Azana (ARG) bt [8] William Donnelly (NZL) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-9 (26m)
[2] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) bt [5] Elijah Tomas (NZL) 3-1: 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (50m)

Men’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, November 11
[1] Josue Enriquez (GUA) v Leo Vargas (MEX)
[3] Jeremias Azana (ARG) v [2] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR)

Women’s Quarter Final Results: SACC Costa Rica Open
[7] Sarahi Lopez (MEX) bt [1] Diana Garcia (MEX) 3-2: 11-6, 7-11, 14-16, 11-9, 11-9 (67m)
[8] Lucia Bautista (COL) bt [4] Maria Tovar (COL) 3-2: 8-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6, 13-11 (51m)
[3] Diana Gasca (MEX) bt [6] Mary Mijas (GUA) 3-1: 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4 (24m)
[2] Laura Tovar (COL) bt [5] Darlyn Sandoval (GUA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (27m)

Women’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, November 11
[7] Sarahi Lopez (MEX) v [8] Lucia Bautista (COL)
[3] Diana Gasca (MEX) v [2] Laura Tovar (COL)