Round of 16 day...
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(3) Bryce Redman vs Wilfredo Arcia
Win 3/0, 11 4, 11 2, 11 6

(1) Paul Coll vs Daniel Prato
Win 3/1, 11 6, 11 5, 10 12, 11 6

(2) Lance Beddoes vs Alejandro Suarez

Win 2/0, 11 8, 11 1

Ok ok, for all the people that wanted pictures, I have some pictures today!!! With all the excitement in the last few days - eg watching Mexico we were all playing the games with each other, every shot, so much that taking photos never even came close to crossing any of our minds!!!

Bryce was a bit tired on the bus yesterday...

Today was a good day for New Zealand with a solid win over the Venezuelan boys that made it past South Africa in pool play due to a mix up with the playing order which caused a surprise forfeit. All the boys went out and did the business, and did it as well as they could. We had won the tie before the 3rd rubber which meant no pressure for Lance today - was good of us to give him a rest from it after all the pressure we loaded on him against Mexico!

Playing order for today was Bryce (3), Paul (1) and then Lance (2) - 3rd day in a row that Lance has played last!

Bryce was on first against Venezuelan number 3 Wilfredo Arcia, and played a solid game and didn't let Wilfredo in at all to take the commanding win, 3 - 0, 11 4, 11 2, 11 6. Well done Bryce - looked good from the technical chair with Anthony!

Bryce on court in his game, winning drop, think it was supposed to be a drive! Jokes, thought it was a good photo.

Paul warming up - Anthony and Bryce having a little chat...

So as you can see from this picture, Paul is on next vs Daniel Prato (number one from Venezuela), also my first round opponent from individuals. Paul took the the first two games pretty comfortably, but never really got into his rhythm - and the Venezuelan boy showing heart and bringing hope to his team managed to take the 3rd game and put a bit more pressure on the New Zealand team support - but went back on relaxed in the 4th and took the win and the passage through to the Quarter finals for New Zealand which was a great feeling for the team!!!

This was my personal favourite photo of the day - this is the New Zealand corner!!! Well done to Paul for the win, did NZ proud again!

No pressure on Lance, he went on against Alejandro Suarez - funnily enough the guy he was supposed to play first round of individuals before it was swapped up a little and Lance was given a bye. Rules of the tournament as decided at the manager's meeting prior is that dead rubber's must be played but only best of 3 (each match is known as a "rubber" and the team match can be referred to as the "tie" for future reference - as you can imagine, dead rubber is when the tie has been won after the 2nd match - so it's only gonna make it 2 - 1 or 3 - 0, not change the outcome).

So Lance played best of 3 and won 11 - 8, 11 - 1. Got us all a little bit nervous as the first game went on but went out in the second after a stir up from Anthony and was up 10 0 before dropping a point then taking the match - well done to Lance, even though it wasn't going to change the outcome a 3 - 0 win looks a lot better than a 2 - 1 win so you did well.

New Zealand team seen here with the Venezuelan team - spot the wrong thing in the photo!! Lance and Paul - thanks for setting up the flag right for the photo!!! My excuse is Bryce, Anthony and I just ran in and jumped straight in the photo - Lance and Paul sorted the flag!! This won't happen again! Still a good photo of the team though.
Venezuelan's from left - (Coach), Daniel Prato (1), Wilfredo Arcia (3) and Alejandro Suarez (2).

Tomorrow we are playing ENGLAND (6 vs 3) in the quarter final - so will be a big one for the boys, not sure who will be playing 3 but Lance and Paul are definitely playing - either way we are all going to give it everything we can give it!

Before I go, one last photo - I thought it was fitting.

Bryce has turned into a bit of a celebrity with the Ecuadorian ladies - they wanted his tshirt!!!! I think they just wanted to take it off him on the spot... well done Bryce! I'm glad you said no as well!

OH a last afternote (edited in) we love to hear your comments and discuss them every day - so do keep them coming we appreciate the support - good to know people back home are reading and enjoying the blog, and behind us like we do know you are!!! So if there's anything anyone wants to say - it gives us a buzz!