IRT Pro Nationals 32s and 16s

Javier Moreno won one of the most dramatic Round of 16 matches at the Motorola International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pro Nationals in Chicago, defeating Jason Mannino in five games, 11-8, 2-11, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10. Mannino was clearly frustrated during the match, which featured many dives and backhand pinch/splat shots from both players.

Mannino's frustration started early, as he was up 6-2 in game one, only to see Moreno come back and win 11-8. Game two was all Mannino, but game three was close all the way. However, Mannino got to 10 first, and led by two at that point. However, he didn't close it out, as Moreno came back to win game three 12-10.

In game four, it was Moreno who had the lead in the middle of the game at 6-3. But Mannino stormed back to win the last 8 points of the game, taking it 11-6, despite disagreeing with some calls by the referee. At the end of the game, Mannino gave Moreno a talking to before letting him leave the court. The referee tried to interject, but Mannino kept him out of it, saying he just wanted to talk to his opponent. We're not sure what was said.

That set the stage for an interesting game five. In that game, Mannino led all the way, at 4-0, 6-3, 8-3, 8-6, and 10-8. Mannino had one chance to serve for the match, but that was all. Moreno got the serve back, tied it at 10, and then pushed on to win 12-10.

Mannino's loss will undoubtedly effect where he finishes in the season ending rankings. However, Mitch Williams didn't help himself, as he joined Mannino on the sidelines by losing to Andy Hawthorne, 11-3, 11-6, 4-11, 5-11, 11-1, in the Round of 16.

But Shane Vanderson should benefit by Mannino's loss, as he defeated Polo Gutierrez in another five game match, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 11-2.

Yes, we have no Herreras

None of the four Herreras made it into the main draw round of 16, despite being seeded into the last round of qualifying. Moreover, none of their matches was especially close. Only Andreas Herrera as much as won a game, as he lost in four games to Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5, 11-2. The other Herreras - Anthony, Alejandro and Juan - all lost in three straight games.

Motorola Pro Nationals
Third Round Qualifying
Chris Crowther d. Gilberto Mejia, 12-10, 10-12, 11-9, 14-12
Kris Odegard d. Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-5

Alejandro Landa d. Andres Herrera, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5, 11-2
Javier Moreno d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3

Polo Gutierrez d. Juan Herrera, 11-3, 11-5, 11-6
Travis Woodbury d. Lee Connell, 11-1, 11-7, 7-11, 11-2

Hiroshi Shimizu d. Tony Carson, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5
Andy Hawthorne d. Cliff Swain, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7

Main Draw - Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk d. Kris Odegard, 11-3, 11-7, 11-1
Chris Crowther d. Ben Croft, (6), 9, 6-2 retired

Javier Moreno d. Jason Mannino, 11-8, 2-11, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10
Alvaro Beltran d. Alejandro Landa, 13-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5

Jack Huczek d. Travis Woodbury, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4
Shane Vanderson d. Polo Gutierrez, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 11-2

Andy Hawthorne d. Mitch Williams, 11-3, 11-6, 4-11, 5-11, 11-1
Rocky Carson d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-2, 11-4, 11-0

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Chris Crowther
Alvaro Beltran v. Javier Moreno

Jack Huczek v. Shane Vanderson
Rocky Carson v. Andy Hawthorne

Follow the bouncing ball....