Sunday, May 24, 2009

USA National Singles - Ruiz and Huczek 2009 Champions

On Sunday, Aimee Ruiz added the US Singles title to her the US Doubles and World Doubles titles she currently holds by defeating Cheryl Gudinas Holmes in the final at the 42nd USA Racquetball National Singles Championships.

Ruiz defeated top seed Cheryl Gudinas Holmes in Sunday's final, 15-5, 15-7. It's the first time a woman has been US Champion in both singles and doubles since Gudinas Holmes was in 2001. Only four women have been singles and doubles champions since 1985. Toni Bevelock and Michelle Gould, who held both titles six times, are the other two.

On the men's side, Jack Huczek got the better of Rocky Carson in the final, beating him 7-15, 15-9, 11-10 to win his fourth US National Singles Championship. Chris Crowther came third by defeating Shane Vanderson, 15-10, 15-5.

In each year since 2002, one of the US doubles champions has also been singles champion. Five of those years it's been either Carson or Huczek, who won doubles together this year. But Mitch Williams also won both in 2007, as did Mike Guidry in 2002.

Previous to that only John Ellis had held both titles, when he accomplished the feat in 1993.

2009 USA Racquetball National Singles
Men's Singles US team Qualifying
Finals

Jack Huczek vs. Rocky Carson, 7-15, 15-9, 11-10

Third Place
Chris Crowther d. Shane Vanderson, 15-10, 15-5

Semi-finals
Jack Huczek d. Shane Vanderson, 15-7, 15-6
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 15-7, 15-10

Women's Singles US team Qualifying
Finals

Aimee Ruiz d. Cheryl Gudinas Holmes, 15-5, 15-7

Semi-finals
Cheryl Gudinas Holmes d. Adrienne Fisher, 15-9, 11-15, 11-8
Aimee Ruiz d. Rhonda Rajsich, 15-14, 15-10, 11-2 [as on the R2Sports.com website]

Follow the bouncing ball....

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