Lima -
Quarterfinals The Ecuadorian table tennis player, Alberto Miño, who plays in the Bundesliga Table Tennis, reached the quarterfinals of the men's singles by defeating Jeremy Hazin from Canada with a score of 4-1 (6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3, 11-6, and 11-7).
Hazin took the lead in the match, surprising Miño and winning the first partial by 6-11 in just 5 minutes, causing astonishment among the Ecuadorian fans in the stands.
After receiving instructions from coach Norman Carrilo during the break, Miño played his best game and took control of the match with cross shots and powerful strikes that left his opponent with no reaction. Hazin couldn't counter Miño's offensive and powerful game.
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Regarding his two victories that put him in the quarterfinals as the only survivor in individual competitions from the national delegation, the athlete said: "The first points are very complicated, it's difficult when you start. I won both matches and we are moving on to the next phase."
Regarding the Latin American ranking, Miño stated: "Right now I'm a bit low. There are about four players above me, but I think that outside the top ten, we all have a similar level and anyone can win."
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Regarding his first opponent in the quarterfinals, Marco Navas, Miño said they had already faced each other in the Bolivarian Games, and he had won most of the time: "He beat me a long time ago, but he's complicated because he has good serves. Once I could control that, I didn't have any problems." Regarding his match against Hazin, he also mentioned that he was a very tough opponent, but he stayed focused to achieve victory.
Starting with a win gives you a lot of confidence because you adapt more to the table, the environment, the level itself. It helps with the progression of the matches because you polish the easy mistakes that can be made," added the national player.
Regarding the high technical level in Germany, he said: "There is a lot of competitiveness in Germany, a high level, so you learn a lot, game tactics, managing time. It's difficult. Sometimes the opponent gets desperate and doesn't know what to do, so you know how to handle it so that the opponent doesn't enter their game. It's a bit complicated. That's what the Bundesliga gives me."
Miño reiterated that if he had stayed in Ecuador, he would have hardly reached the technical level he now has because table tennis is not professional in the country. "In Ecuador, I think we need to improve that. There isn't much competition. In Europe, there are many players from Asia, from all over the world who come to compete. They have different playing styles, so you have to adapt, and that helps a lot."
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He recalled that when he left Ecuador, he played in the French League, which was his first step when Jeanine Cuadros (former president of the Ecuadorian Table Tennis Federation) and Ian Marshall (advisor of the International Table Tennis Federation) were there. "After three years there, I went to Germany and I have been based there since then. I have found good places to train, and now I have the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga."
In his doubles match against the United States, paired with Emiliano Riofrío, they played a good game, but victory slipped away from them. He said, "I think if we had started the match a little better, we could have managed the timing better. We were affected by nerves at the beginning. After that, we managed to disrupt the American players, who are good and have a good tactical game. We tied the match (2-2) and the victory was 50-50, either of us could have won."
He added that to be successful in doubles, it's important to always play with the same partner. "Emiliano (Riofrío) lives in Ecuador and doesn't have that competitiveness, that experience. I think if he takes the step to Europe, he would improve a lot, and we could even get better results."
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Regarding his victories, he added: "It's extremely important. I hope to keep progressing in the rounds. It's not easy, each match needs to be analyzed thoroughly and played 100%. Hopefully, I can advance further to achieve a medal. That's my goal."
He noted that there are players in these Pan American Games who are in the top 100 in the world. "There are about six or seven of them in the top 100. It's not easy at all, it's complicated, and each match needs to be played 100%. After each match, you focus on the next duel. You need to have confidence in your coach. Norman (Carrillo) has accompanied us in many tournaments, and we have adapted well, beyond any tactic or technique he may suggest. That helps."
Miño recalled that these are his third Pan American Games, and he has already won a medal. He won bronze in Guadalajara 2011, and there are "few" opponents left from that time.
He dedicated the victory on Tuesday to his family and all Ecuadorians for their constant support. (D)