The event will last until March 17 and will grant 1,700 points for the world ranking to the winners in each of all five modalities (singles and doubles in each gender and mixed doubles).

On Thursday and Friday, the elimination rounds and quarterfinals will be held, followed by the semifinals on Saturday and the gold-medal discussion on Sunday.

Cubans will be represented by 27 racquet players, including Taymara Oropeza, gold medalist in doubles in the last edition and bronze medalist in the 2003 Pan American Games in Santiago, Diosbel Tamayo, bronze medalist in the previous tournament in the mixed doubles category, will also be present.

jg/omr/ro/blc