WPRO : Christmas Classic Quarters and Semis

For the third time this season, #1 Rhonda Rajsich and #3 Paola Longoria will meet in the final of a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Tier 1 event. This time it's the Christmas Classic title on the line in Alexandria, Virginia.

Rajsich had the tougher time getting there, as she was pushed to 5 games in the semi-finals by fourth seed Kerri Wachtel. Rajsich won the first two games, but couldn't finish the match until game 5, making the final score 11-7, 11-3, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5.

Longoria won her semi-final match against #2 Cheryl Gudinas Holmes in three straight games, 11-1, 11-5, 11-7, although she did drop a game to Adrienne Fisher in the quarter finals, winning 11-4, 6-11, 11-2, 11-4.

Also in the quarter finals Gudinas Holmes continued her success against the teen phenom Veronica Sotomayor beating her in three straight games, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5.

Rajsich and Longoria have split their previous two meetings this season with Rajsich winning in Tijuana, Mexico and Longoria winning in Edmonton, Canada.

2008 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Quarter finals

(1) Rhonda Rajsich d. (9) Jo Shattuck, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2
(4) Kerri Wachtel d. (5) Kristen Bellows, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5

(3) Paola Longoria d. (6) Adrienne Fisher, 11-4, 6-11, 11-2, 11-4
(2) Cheryl Gudinas Holmes d. (10) Veronica Sotomayor, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5

Semi finals

(1) Rhonda Rajsich d. (4) Kerri Wachtel, 11-7, 11-3, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5
(3) Paola Longoria d. (2) Cheryl Gudinas Holmes, 11-1, 11-5, 11-7

Finals

(1) Rhonda Rajsich v. (3) Paola Longoria

Follow the bouncing ball....