Rocky Carson has got back to the final at the 2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship in Tempe, Arizona despite having to change partners at the last minute, when Jack Huczek was unable to play. But Josh Tucker has filled in admirably and Saturday he and Carson defeated Jason Mannino and Eric Muller in the first semi-final, 15-11, 13-15, 11-7. The win reportedly qualifies Tucker to play on the US National Team for the first time in his career.
In the tie-breaker, Mannino and Muller took the early lead at 4-0 and 6-3. But they were unable to finish off Carson and Tucker. At 6-6, there was a long rally that ended with Tucker skipping the ball, and it seemed like that might be the break Mannino and Muller needed to pull out the match. But it was not to be.
Carson and Tucker will face 2nd seeds Ben Croft and Mitch Williams who beat 3rd seeds Jason Thoerner and Shane Vanderson, 15-2, 15-13, in the other semi-final on Saturday. Carson and Huczek defeated Croft and Williams in last year's final.
In the women's US Team Qualifying division, current champions Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz had little difficulty in their semi-final match against Sheryl Lotts and Aubrey O'Brien, winning 15-5, 15-4. Thus, Paraiso and Ruiz will have a chance to defend their title on Sunday.
Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, the 2nd seeds, are the only team left standing in the way of the champion's repeating. Rajsich and Tisinger easily disposed of 3rd seeds Krystal Csuk and Cheryl Gudinas, 15-5, 15-5.
You can view the action live on line via racquetballonline.tv. The women's final start time is 11:20 AM (Mountain time) Sunday with the men's final scheduled for 12:30 PM.
2010 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Matches
Men's
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker d. Jason Mannino & Eric Muller, 15-11, 13-15, 11-7
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams d. Jason Thoerner & Shane Vanderson, 15-2, 15-13
Final
Rocky Carson & Josh Tucker vs. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams
Women's
Semi-finals
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz d. Sheryl Lotts & Aubrey O'Brien, 15-5, 15-4
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger d. Krystal Csuk & Cheryl Gudinas, 15-5, 15-5
Final
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz vs. Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, February 13, 2010
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