By Liam Morgan

Brazilian youngster Hugo Calderano claimed the men's singles title at the ITTF Latin America Championships in Buenos Aires ©Getty ImagesBrazil continued their dominance of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Latin America Championships as both Hugo Calderano and Lin Gui claimed singles titles in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires.

Defending champion Calderano, who won bronze at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, survived a scare to beat compatriot Cazuo Matsumoto in a thrilling seven-game final.

The 18-year-old dropped the opening game before he won the next three to effectively end the match as a contest, but Matsumoto never gave up as he levelled proceedings at 3-3.

Calderano however proved too strong in the end, eventually sealing a 14-16, 11-1, 11-6, 11-4, 10-12, 12-14, 11-6 triumph.

"I was leading three-one but we both know each other very well, so he knew how to put me in trouble; he became more aggressive from the fifth game onwards, it was vital I kept calm," he said.

"The challenge we have against players from Europe and Asia is making us better.

"I really like to play here in Argentina, it was here I played my first ever international tournament and I always enjoy it here; now it's time to celebrate and think of China and then Toronto, those are my next goals."

Gui meanwhile also had to work hard for her victory as she battled to a 8-11, 8-11, 15-13, 13-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 win over Mexico's Yadira Silva to clinch the women's crown.

Lin Gui ensured another superb day for Brazil as she took the women's singles crown with a narrow win over Yadira Silva of Mexico ©Getty ImagesLin Gui ensured another superb day for Brazil as she took the women's singles crown with a narrow win over Yadira Silva of Mexico ©Getty Images


The 21-year-old showed character and resilience, fighting back from two games down before she sealed the title in what was a tense final game.

"A key factor was to stay mentally strong as I was trailing several times," she said.

"This is a very motivating accomplishment for me.

"Being the new Latin American champion is a great joy and it will help me in the big tournaments to come."

The pair were instrumental in Brazil's team success at the start of the tournament and Gui also managed to take home the women's doubles title, partnering Ligia Silva to a 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9 victory over Puerto Rican sisters Adriana and Melanie Diaz.

Elsewhere, Mexican duo Marcas Madrid and beaten singles finalist Silva clinched the men's doubles crown, while the mixed doubles event was won by Manuel Moya and Alejandro Rodriguez to prevent a Brazilian clean sweep of the available medals.

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