IRT - Florida Spring Break, Waselenchuk & Carson through to the finals

Kane Waselenchuk advanced to another final on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as he beat Jason Mannino in the semi-finals of the Florida Spring Break event in Sarasota, 11-3, 11-4, 11-3. Waselenchuk has won every tournament he's entered this season. In fact, he's only lost one game this season, going 75-1 overall.

Waselenchuk was in control throughout the match, although in game two he did need seven game points to win it. But that was after he was up 10-1, so those missed opportunities only got Mannino to 11-4.

Waselenchuk was in control but did make some of his spectacular shots. Match point was a case in point, as Waselenchuk hit a drive z serve to the left corner that forced Mannino to hit a pinch to the front left corner. Waselenchuk was up to cover that shot, and though it came right at him, he lifted himself up slightly and hit the ball as it passed between his legs.

The result was flat off the front wall and into the right wall crack for good measure.

"Kane played really well," Mannino said afterwards, which was perhaps an understatement. He added "I don't feel I have my touch." Surely that would have made it a closer match, but it's hard to believe that the outcome would have been different.

Rocky Carson will be Waselenchuk's opponent in Sunday's final, as Carson defeated Ben Croft in the first semi-final, 7-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6. It's Carson's first final of the season, and he'll have his work cut out for him.

Asked about playing Carson for the first time this season, Waselenchuk said it's "statement time." Time to "remind him what it's like to play me."

The final can be viewed live over the internet via the IRT Network.com. It's scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM Eastern.

IRT - Florida Spring Break, Sarasota, Florida
Semi finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Jason Mannino, 11-3, 11-4, 11-3
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 7-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6

Finals

Kane Waselenchuk vs. Rocky Carson

Follow the bouncing ball....