2010 IRT Mexico Open - Waselenchuk finishes season undefeated

Kane Waselenchuk has finished the 2009-2010 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) undefeated, as he beat Ben Croft, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1, at the Mexico Open - last tournament of the season - in Tijuana. He finishes as the #1 IRT player for the 5th time in his career. In fact, Waselenchuk's win loss record for games this season was an astounding 102-3. A 97% success rate.

Waselenchuk said he wanted "this to be my best match of the season, and I didn't miss much." Indeed, he didn't as he only allowed Croft 6 points over three games.

Despite the loss, Croft finished the season well, reaching the finals of a Tier 1 IRT event for the first time in his career. He said "I didn't play as well as I wanted in the final, but there were three positives before that," as Croft beat Javier Moreno, Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran en route to the final.

Croft began the season late, as he was suspended for the first three events due to unsportsmanlike behavior at last season's year end event. He said that he learned from that penalty, and it made him want to play even more.

The success he had over the rest of the season "meant a lot" to Croft, who's "excited for the summer to train" and prepare for what one can only expect will be even better things from him.

Croft is one of 5 players who have been multiple World Junior Champions at 18 and under. Three of those players have been #1 on the IRT: Sudsy Monchik, Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek, so that and his current form bode well for Croft's future.

Mexico Open, Tijuana
April 15-18, 2010

Final

Kane Waselenchuk d. Ben Croft, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1

Follow the bouncing ball....