Puerto Ricans Figueroa and Rivera open with a victory in Nanjing
 

NANJING, China, August 17, 2014 - Men’s competition started in the Far East for the NORCECA couples, after a long preparation period that started a year ago in their different zones.

First matches began at Nanjing Sports Park Complex, where Puerto Ricans Sergio Figueroa and Daniel Rivera defeated Keyvan Sahneh and Mohammadreza Shobeiri of Iran, 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) in Pool C.

In Pool A, Saint Vincent’s Rodall Frase and Delshun Welcome played against Finnish duo of Miro Maattanen and Santeri Siren, who won  2-0 (21-11, 21-11).

Meanwhile Shavar Bryan and Rojey Hutchinson of Jamaica faced Brazil’s Arthur Mariano and George Wanderley, who won 2-0 by scores of 21-8, 21-12 in 28 minutes in Pool B.

Peruvians Luis Bramont-Arias and Jimy Heredia won against Carlos Rosa and Ajia Sweeney of Virgin Islands in Pool C (21-10 and 21-6, 23), while in Pool D, Jake MacNeil and Andrew Richards of Canada, fought hard against Argentineans Santiago Aulisi and Leandro Aveiro.

The Canadian duo tied in second set but victory was for the South Americans 2-1 by scores of 21-13, 19-21 and 15-12 in 50 minutes of game, the longest match of Day one.

In Pool E, Guatemala’s Mark Alvarez and Erik Flores lost 12-21 and 12-21 in 31 minutes against Norway’s Mathias Berntsen and Anders Mol.

Action concluded in Pool F with the match played between Indonesia’s Mohammad Ashfiya and Rendy Licardo, who defeated Torey DeFalco and Louis Richard, of United States, 2-0 (21-14 and 22-20, in 35 minutes).