The United States and Brazil qualified in the most impressive fashion at Lima's Villa Deportiva Nacional, winning both their men's and women's pools.

Chile, Argentina, Canada and Puerto Rico also qualified for the World Team Championships in both disciplies by virtue of top-two finishes.

Argentina's men breezed past Guyana without dropping a game to top Group 3.

The drama took place behind them, with Puerto Rico and Ecuador embroiled in a back-and-forth affair to decide who finished second.

Alberto Mino won two matches to twice draw Ecuador level - beating Brian Afanador 11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8 and Daniel Gonzalez 11-8, 11-4, 11-5.

Gonzalez had the final say, however, fighting back to defeat Rodrigo Tapia 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 15-13, 11-6 in the winner-takes-all match to seal both the tie and a World Championship berth for Puerto Rico.

Canada finished second in Group 2, behind the Americans, after seeing off Guatemala, and Chile's Group 1 progression behind Brazil was sealed when Gustavo Gomez won two matches in their tie with Peru to help Chile to victory.

In the women's contest, Canada's match against Guatemala was the most tense.

After back-to-back wins from Lucia Cordero and Hidalynn Zapata, Guatemala needed just one more to finish second in Group 1.

But Mo Xhang crushed Cordero in straight games before Ivy Liao - beaten by Cordero earlier - bounced back and overcame Mabelyn Enriquez 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 7-11, 11-6.

Chile went unbeaten in Group 2, with Puerto Rico second, while Argentina placed second in Group 3 behind the undefeated Brazilians.

Quarter-finals are set to be played tomorrow, with the two top-ranked sides receiving a bye to the semi-finals.