Chris Crowther has made the semi-finals of a Tier 1 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) for the first time in his career as he defeated Shane Vanderson, 11-1, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, in the quarter finals of the Mexico Open in Tijuana.
Crowther's semi-final opponent will be top seed Kane Waselenchuk who is aiming for an undefeated season. He continued toward that goal on Friday with a victory over Andy Hawthorne in the quarters, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5.
Ben Croft ended Rocky Carson's hope to finish 2nd at the end of the 2009-10 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season, as Croft upset Carson in the quarter finals, 11-1, 4-11, 11-9, 4-11, 12-10.
Carson trailed Jack Huczek by over 200 points in the rankings prior to this weekend. Huczek did not travel to Tijuana, because he's still suffering the effects of his right leg injury. Nonetheless, it's probably unlikely that Carson will gain enough points from a quarter final finish to overtake Huczek.
Alvaro Beltran will be Croft's opponent in the semi-finals on Saturday, as he defeated Mitch Williams when Williams had to retire due to cramping at 4-4 in the fifth game of their match, making the scoreline 11-13, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 4-4 retired. Beltran's victory and overall performance is all the more impressive in light of his playing his first competitive matches since last summer's World Games.
The semi-finals are available over the web at IRTNetwork.com on Saturday. The first semi-final is scheduled for 4 PM Pacific with the second to go at 5 PM Pacific.
Mexico Open, Tijuana
April 15-18, 2010
Quarter finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5
Chris Crowther d. Shane Vanderson, 11-1, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8
Alvaro Beltran d. Mitch Williams, 11-13, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 4-4 retired injury
Ben Croft d. Rocky Carson, 11-1, 4-11, 11-9, 4-11, 12-10
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk vs. Chris Crowther - 5 PM
Ben Croft vs. Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, April 17, 2010
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