Longoria 9th and 4th all time

Paola Longoria's Texas Open victory was her 11th WPRO title in her career putting her 9th on the all time women's professional racquetball tournament victories list (The Racquetball Blog records though extensive with final results for over 250 tournaments are likely incomplete).

But Longoria is 4th in terms of finals winning percentage - i.e., tournaments won when reaching the finals - with a finals winning percentage of 61% (she's won 11 of the 18 finals she's contested). Only Lynn Adams on 72%, Shannon Wright on 76% and Michelle Gould with an astonishing 98% (41 of 42 finals) have been better in finals than Longoria.

Three other players have won more finals than they've lost. Christie Huczek has won 15 of 26 (58%), Cheryl Gudinas 39 of 75 (52%), and Rhonda Rajsich 20 of 39 (51%). Peggy Steding and Malia Bailey both won 50% of the finals they played in.

Perhaps surprisingly, Heather McKay and Jackie Paraiso are both below .500 in final matches. McKay won 18 of 37 (49%), with most of those contests against Adams, and Paraiso won 18 of 43 or 42% of the finals she's been in.

Of players who've played over 10 finals, Kerri Wachtel has the lowest winning percentage at only 16% (3 of 19) with Caryn McKinney on 29% (6 of 21) and Marci Drexler at 39% (5 of 13). Though at least those players won a final. Robin Levine made 8 finals without winning.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Round Up

The 2010 Ektelon Texas Open wrapped up yesterday and a few other results are worth mentioning. Jose Rojas won the men's pro division, which was a Tier 5 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). Rojas defeated Ben Croft, 11-8, 11-3, 11-8, in the final.

In the semi-finals, Rojas defeated Anthony Herrera 8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 and Croft beat Jansen Allen, 13-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7.

Croft did win the mixed doubles title with Paola Longoria. They defeated Rhonda Rajsich and Ryan Rodgers in the final, 15-13, 6-15, 11-2.

The women's open title went to Sharon Jackson, who was a 15-7, 15-7 victory over Cristina Amaya. Jackson beat Jennifer Saunders in one semi, 15-13, 15-8, and Amaya defeated Susana Acosta, 4-15, 15-12, 11-5, in the other. In the quarter finals, Jackson defeated Aubrey O'brien, 15-4, 15-11, after O'brien had defeated her in the WPRO division in a five game match.

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 WPRO Texas Open - Longoria wins

Paola Longoria won the 2010 Ektelon Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Texas Open Sunday in Dallas by defeating fellow Mexican Samantha Salas Solis, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5, in what was the first women's pro final that didn't have an American as one of the competitors.

Longoria is the #1 WPRO player and the victory confirms her position on top of women's racquetball.

The next WPRO event is the World Professional Racquetball Championship in Cali, Columbia September 16-19.

2010 Ektelon WPRO Texas Open
Final

Paola Longoria d. Samantha Salas Solis, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 WPRO Texas Open - Salas reaches 1st final

Samantha Salas has reached her first final by defeating Christie Huczek in the semi-finals of the 2010 Ektelon Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Texas Open in Dallas. Salas beat Huczek in three straight games, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7.

She'll play #1 seed Paola Longoria in what will be the first all Mexican final in pro racquetball history. Longoria defeated Jennifer Saunders, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6, in the other semi-final.

2010 Ektelon WPRO Texas Open
Semi-finals

Paola Longoria d. Jennifer Saunders, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6
Samantha Salas d. Christie Huczek, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7

Final

Paola Longoria vs. Samantha Salas

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 WPRO Texas Open - Rajsich, Wachtel out in the quarters

They're through the quarter-finals at the 2010 Ektelon Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Texas Open in Dallas, and 3 of the 4 top seeds have fallen. Of the four only top seed Paola Longoria has reached the semi-finals, as she defeated Claudine Garcia, 11-2, 11-2, 11-6. But 2nd seed and defending champion Rhonda Rajsich and 4th seed Kerri Wachtel both lost in the quarters. Rajsich defeated Wachtel in last year's Texas Open final.

In the semis, Longoria will play Jennifer Saunders, who defeated Wachtel, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10, to reach the semis of a WPRO event for the first time in her career.

On the other side of the draw, Samantha Salas took out Rajsich 7-11, 5-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-8.

Susana Acosta and Christie Huczek also played a five game match and like the Salas-Rajsich match the player who won two games first also ended up losing as Acosta, ahead two games to one on Huczek, lost in five games, 11-2, 10-12, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6.

These semi-finals could be the first time in professional racquetball history that none of the four players have been American, as Longoria and Salas are Mexican and Saunders and Huczek are Canadian.

2010 Ektelon WPRO Texas Open
Quarter finals

Paola Longoria d. Claudine Garcia, 11-2, 11-2, 11-6
Jennifer Saunders d. Kerri Wachtel, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10

Christie Huczek d. Susana Acosta, 11-2, 10-12, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6
Samantha Salas d. Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 5-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-8

Semi-finals

Paola Longoria vs. Jennifer Saunders
Samantha Salas vs. Christie Huczek

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 WPRO Texas Open - Gudinas loses in 16s

Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich, the top two seeds at the 2010 Ektelon Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Texas Open in Dallas, but 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas lost in the Round of 16 to Mexican Susana Acosta, 7-11, 11-8 12-10, 11-8.

Acosta will now play Christie Huczek (neé Van Hees) in the quarter finals, who defeated Krystal Csuk, 11-6, 11-0, 11-7 in the 16s.

We thought that some of the top players might be hampered from their recent travel back from the IRF World Championships in Seoul, South Korea, which may partially explain Gudinas's loss. But Longoria and Rajsich seem untroubled, as does Canadian Jennifer Saunders, who reached the quarter finals by defeating Adrienne Fisher, 11-8, 11-4, 14-12.

Samantha Salas will get a chance to get back at Rajsich, who won their match in the women's final in Seoul, as they will meet in the quarters Saturday. In the Round of 16, Salas defeated Keely Franks, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-2, while Rajsich beat Aubrey O'Brien, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4.

The quarter finals and semi-finals are slated for Saturday with the finals to follow on Sunday.

2010 Ektelon WPRO Texas Open
Round of 16

Paola Longoria d. Diane Moore, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8
Claudine Garcia d. Da'monique Davis, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1

Jennifer Saunders d. Adrienne Fisher, 11-8, 11-4, 14-12
Kerri Wachtel d. Cristina Amaya, 11-4, 11-2, 9-11, 11-5

Susana Acosta d. Cheryl Gudinas, 7-11, 11-8 12-10, 11-8
Christie Huczek d. Jo Shattuck, 11-8, 11-3, 11-8

Samantha Salas d. Keely Franks, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-2
Rhonda Rajsich d. Aubrey O'Brien, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4

Quarter finals

Paola Longoria vs. Claudine Garcia
Kerri Wachtel vs. Jennifer Saunders

Susana Acosta vs. Christie Huczek
Rhonda Rajsich vs. Samantha Salas

Round 1

Paola Longoria BYE
Diane Moore d. Laura Brandt, 11-6, 4-11, 11-4, 11-0

Da'monique Davis d. Vivian Gomez, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7
Claudine Garcia d. T.J. Baumbaugh, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1

Adrienne Fisher BYE
Jennifer Saunders d. Linda Scales, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10

Cristina Amaya d. Sarah Warhaftig, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3
Kerri Wachtel BYE

Cheryl Gudinas BYE
Susana Acosta d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 12-10, 11-9, 11-4

Jo Shattuck BYE
Christie Huczek d. Krystal Csuk, 11-6, 11-0, 11-7

Keely Franks BYE
Samantha Salas d. Liz Alvarado, 11-9, 11-4, 11-5

Aubrey O'Brien d. Sharon Jackson, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7
Rhonda Rajsich BYE

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 WPRO Texas Open

The 2010-2011 Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season kicks off this weekend with the Texas Open in Dallas. Many of the top 10 players are there, but as several of them participated in the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea last weekend, they are likely still feeling some jet lag.

Thus, this could be a big opportunity for players who weren't in Seoul, like Kerri Wachtel and Adrienne Fisher.

Also of note, Christie Huczek (neé Van Hees) is playing for the first time since giving birth to her first child.

2010 Ektelon WPRO Texas Open
Round 1

Paola Longoria BYE
Diane Moore vs. Laura Brandt

Vivian Gomez vs. Da'monique Davis
T.J. Baumbaugh vs. Claudine Garcia

Adrienne Fisher BYE
Jennifer Saunders vs. Linda Scales

Cristina Amaya vs. Sarah Warhaftig
Kerri Wachtel BYE

Cheryl Gudinas BYE
Susana Acosta vs. Brandi Jacobson-Prentice

Jo Shattuck BYE
Krystal Csuk vs. Christie Huczek

Keely Franks BYE
Samantha Salas vs. Liz Alvarado

Aubrey O'Brien vs. Sharon Jackson
Rhonda Rajsich BYE

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Final team competition standings

Below are the final standings for the team competitions from the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. Of note is how low Mexico was in the men's competition: 8th! They didn't have their 'A' team in Seoul and their result shows that if a country doesn't bring its best, then it can't expect to do well, because the other countries have all improved.

If you think that doesn't matter, you'd be wrong. Wrong because the seedings for the next World Championships will be based - in part - on the results from this Worlds. That's why the Mexican women were seeded 4th rather than 3rd this year. Mexico lost in the women's semi-finals two years ago to Chile, while Bolivia made the final. Thus, Bolivia was seeded above Mexico.

Mexico finishing 8th on the men's side will not be good for their seeding two years from now.

15th IRF Racquetball World Championships - Seoul, South Korea

Men's Team Competition - Final Standings

1. USA
2. Canada
3. Bolivia
4. Costa Rica
5. Venezuela
6. Ecuador
7. South Korea
8. Mexico
9. Colombia
10. Japan
11. Dominican Republic
12. Guatamala
13. India
14. Argentina
15. Ireland
16. Tonga

Women's Team Competition - Final Standings

1. USA
2. Canada
3. Mexico
4. South Korea
5. Japan
6. Bolivia
7. Ecuador
8. Venezuela
9. Ireland
10. Guatamala
11. Tonga

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - USA sweeps team title

The USA has won the men's and women's team competitions at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. Both the American men and women swept Team Canada to successfully defend the titles they won in Ireland two years ago. They were also the overall winners.

The USA has won every women's team competition at Worlds and this is their 9th men's title and 14th overall title. Canada is the only other country to have won the team titles.

On the women's side, Rhonda Rajsich defeated Josée Grand'Maître, 15-8, 15-3, in the first of the three final matches, and then Cheryl Gudinas beat Jennifer Saunders, 15-9, 15-8. Finally, Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz beat Brandi Jacobson Prentice and Frédérique Lambert in two straight games, 15-8, 15-3.

On the men's side, Jack Huczek defeated Vincent Gagnon, 15-13, 15-6, and Rocky Carson beat Kris Odegard, 15-10, 15-7. With the outcome decided, the Canadians forfeited the doubles match, so the American doubles team of Ben Croft and Mitch Williams didn't play against Canadians Mike Green and Tim Landeryou.

The team competition works as a best of three. One country's #1 and #2 singles players play another's as well as the doubles teams facing off.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Team Competition
Finals
USA d. Canada, 3-0
Jack Huczek (USA) d. Vincent Gagnon (Canada), 15-13, 15-6
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Kris Odegard (Canada), 15-10, 15-7
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) d. Mike Green & Tim Landeryou (Canada), forfeit

3rd Place
Bolivia d. Costa Rica, 2-1

Women's Team Competition
Finals
USA d. Canada, 3-0
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Josée Grand'Maître (Canada), 15-8, 15-3
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-9, 15-8.
Jackie Paraiso & Aimee Ruiz (USA) d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice & Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-8, 15-3

3rd Place
Mexico d. South Korea, 3-0

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - USA wins Women's team title

The USA women's team has won the Women's Team title as they defeated Canada in the first two matches of their final at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday.

Rhonda Rajsich defeated Josée Grand'Maître, 15-8, 15-3, in the first of the three final matches, and then Cheryl Gudinas beat Jennifer Saunders, 15-9, 15-8.

The doubles match between Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz (USA) and Brandi Jacobson Prentice and Frédérique Lambert (Canada) is going to be played as it could make a difference in the overall title race.

The men's team final between the USA and Canada is still to come.

The team competition works as a best of three. One country's #1 and #2 singles players play another's as well as the doubles teams facing off.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Women's Team Competition
Finals
USA d. Canada, 2-0 with doubles still to be played

Men's Team Competition
Finals
USA vs. Canada

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Team Day 2

The USA and Canada - the top two seeded teams - will meet in the finals of both the men's and women's team competition at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday.

The American men reached the final with victories over South Korea in the quarter finals and Bolivia in the semi-finals, while the Canadian men beat Ecuador and then Costa Rica, respectively. This is likely the first time Costa Rica has been in the semis at worlds, and perhaps only the second time for Bolivia, who were also in the semis two years ago in Ireland.

The Costa Ricans got there with a victory over Team Mexico. The IRF has had troubles posting specific details of these team match ups, but we do know that Mexican Alejandro Landa defeated Costa Rican Ivan Villegas, 15-10, 15-8, so Felipe Camacho must have beaten Miguel Perea and the Costa Ricans must also have won doubles.

Costa Rica lost to Canada in the semi-finals as Kris Odegard defeated Camacho, 15-3, 15-14, and the Canadian doubles of Mike Green and Tim Landeryou defeated Camacho and Villegas, 15-9, 15-11. In that match, Landeryou was hit in the face by the ball near the eye area late in the 2nd game. He was able to finish the match, and it's hoped that Landeryou will be able to see properly for the final on Saturday.

In the USA-Bolivia semi-final, Rocky Carson had all he could handle from Bolivian Carlos Keller Vargas, who was a double gold medalist at last year's IRF World Junior Championships winning 16 & under singles and doubles, as Vargas won the first game and played Carson close in games 2 and 3, which Carson won 11-8 (unofficially).

But the USA men did advance past Bolivia to the final 3 matches to 0.

Earlier in the day in the quarters, the USA defeated South Korea with wins in doubles by Mitch Williams and Ben Croft over Min Soo Park and Dong Min-jang, 15-4, 15-7 and in singles by Jack Huczek over Daeyong Kwon, 15-2, 15-10.

In women's play, the USA defeated the Mexican team in their semi-finals 2 matches to 1. American Cheryl Gudinas beat Mexican Nancy Enriquez, 15-11, 15-9 in what was a rematch of their semi-final in the individual competition that Enriquez won, and reportedly the USA doubles team of Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz defeated the Mexican team of Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas in two straight games. The Americans conceded the third match, so Rhonda Rajsich didn't have to play Longoria.

Going back to Tuesday, Salas did need some stitches after the women's doubles final on Tuesday in which she was hit by Paraiso's racquet on a follow through, but Salas did not lose any teeth as was feared.

The Canadian women advanced to the final by defeating South Korea - also 2 matches to 1 - with wins by by Jennifer Saunders over Jung Eun Anh, 15-12, 15-14 and the doubles team of Brandi Jacobson Prentice and Frédérique Lambert over Jin Young Seok and Yunhui Yu, 15-4, 15-3.

The team competition works as a best of three. One country's #1 and #2 singles players play another's as well as the doubles teams facing off. If a country wins their first two matches, they will have won the competition, so may concede the third match, as it won't make a difference to the outcome. Similarly, if a country loses its first two matches, then they may concede the third so as to rest their players, especially if the players are playing both singles and doubles.

The team competition continues on Friday with the finals on Saturday.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Team Competition
Quarter finals
USA d. South Korea, 2-1
Bolivia d. Venezuela, 2-1

Costa Rica d. Mexico, 2-1
Canada d. Ecuador, "3-1" [sic]

Semi finals
USA d. Bolivia, 3-0
Canada d. Costa Rica, 3-0

Finals
USA vs. Canada

Women's Team Competition
Semi finals
USA d. Mexico, 2-1
Canada d. South Korea, 2-1

Finals
USA vs. Canada

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Team Day 1

The home side is the big news on day 1 of the team competition in Seoul, South Korea at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, as both men's and women's South Korean teams defeated their opposition including the women's upset of the 4th seeded Bolivian women's team.

The South Korean women will next play the Canadian women, who defeated Venezuela to advance to the semi-finals. In the individual competition the South Koreans and Canadians split their matches as Jin Young Seok defeated Josée Grand'Maître and Jennifer Saunders beat Jung Eun Anh - but in a tie-breaker, and the Canadians won the doubles match. So, South Korea has a chance of getting to the final, which would be a major accomplishment.

On the top side of the women's draw, the USA will play Mexico in what will certainly be an interesting match up that could go either way, especially as Nancy Enriquez got the better of Cheryl Gudinas in the individual competition.

On the men's side, South Korea defeated Japan, 2 matches to 1, and will now play the USA in the quarter finals. USA beat Tonga, 2-1. Note, the USA likely conceded the 3rd match against Tonga after winning the first two so as to rest whoever was to play third, often the doubles team.

The team competition works as a best of three. One country's #1 and #2 singles players play another's as well as the doubles teams facing off. If a country wins their first two matches, they will have won the competition, so may concede the third match, as it won't make a difference to the outcome. Similarly, if a country loses its first two matches, then they may concede the third so as to rest their players, especially if the players are playing both singles and doubles.

The team competition continues on Friday with the finals on Saturday.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Team Competition
Round of 16
USA d. Tonga, 2-1
South Korea d. Japan, 2-1

Bolivia d. India, 3-0
Venezuela d. Guatamala, 2-1

Mexico d. Dominican Republic, 2-1
Costa Rica d. Ireland, 3-0

Ecuador d. Argentina, 3-0
Canada d. Columbia, 3-0

Quarter finals
USA vs. South Korea
Venezuela vs. Bolivia

Mexico vs. Costa Rica
Canada vs. Ecuador

Women's Team Competition
First round
Ecuador d. Guatamala, 3-0
South Korea d. Tonga, 3-0
Venezuela d. Ireland, 2-1

Quarter finals
USA d. Ecuador, 2-1
Mexico d. Japan, 2-1

South Korea d. Bolivia, 2-1
Canada d. Venezuela, 2-1

Semi finals
USA vs. Mexico
Canada vs. South Korea

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Off Day Notes

Wednesday's an off day at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea as the individual competitions have concluded - medal summary below - and the team competition begins Thursday.

Wikipedia - Gettin' wiki with it

The Racquetball Blog staff has been updating some of the racquetball pages on Wikipedia to reflect what's happened in Seoul. For example, we've created a page for the 2010 Worlds. Check it out!

Speaking of things to check out, Team USA has been keeping a blog on their experiences in Korea and it makes for interesting reading. We could tell you the interesting bits, but why not just read it for yourself?

What's up with the Mexican men's team?

The Mexican men's team is missing some of its big names, like 2000 World Champion Alvaro Beltran, and Javier Moreno, a two time doubles World Champion (facts you can find on Wikipedia). Our understanding about this is that the Mexican team's resources were stretched by their commitment to the Central American and Caribbean Games - a multi-sport event occurring every 4 years - held last month in Puerto Rico (results on Wikipedia), and the arrangements for the team to go to Worlds were such that some of the men's players were not interested in going.

This isn't the first time that financial considerations have played a part in a country's participation at a racquetball competition. Earlier this USA Racquetball failed to send a team to the Pan American Championships in Honduras, which we understand was due to finances knowing that the costs of sending the team to South Korea for Worlds would be considerable.

Indeed, finances likely play a part in the fact that there is only one full team from Europe in South Korea, although there are still some bad feelings between the European Racquetball Federation and the IRF. Cheers to Team Ireland for being in Seoul.


15th IRF World Championships - Seoul, South Korea
MEDAL SUMMARY

Men's Singles
Gold - Rocky Carson (USA)
Silver - Jack Huczek (USA)
Bronze - Vincent Gagnon (Canada) and Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)

Men's Doubles
Gold - Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA)
Silver - Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (Canada)
Bronze - Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (Venezuela) and Alejandro Landa & Miguel Perea (Mexico)

Women's Singles
Gold - Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Silver - Nancy Enriquez (Mexico)
Bronze - Paola Longoria (Mexico) and Cheryl Gudinas (USA)

Women's Doubles
Gold - Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
Silver - Amy Ruiz & Jackie Paraiso (USA)
Bronze - Brandi Jacobson Prentice & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) and Naomi Wakimoto & Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan)

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Mexico wins women's doubles

Paola Longoria got her gold medal but in doubles, not singles, as she and fellow Mexican Samantha Salas Solis won women's doubles at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. They defeated defending champions Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso (USA), 13-15, 15-13, 11-4, becoming only the second non-US team to win gold in women's doubles.

Canadians Carol McFetridge and Marion Sicotte were women's doubles World Champions in 1986.

Mexico could have won the first game but missed some shots late. However, after game one they played well and seemed in control of the match - despite a close second game - winning the tie-breaker by a comfortable margin.

In game one, Salas Solis was hit in the face on a follow through from Paraiso and needed some injury time. She managed to recover and play out the match, but was reportedly going to the hospital after the match to have the injury assessed.

The victory will be a consolation to Longoria, who as the #1 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings, was the favorite to win the singles title, but lost to American Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals.

In men's doubles, Americans Ben Croft and Mitch Williams defeated Canadians Mike Green and Tim Landeryou, 15-2, 15-13. The victory was Williams's second consecutive World title in doubles as he won two years ago in Ireland with Jason Thoerner. It's Croft's first gold medal for the USA in his first appearance on the national team.

Green and Landeryou were the first Canadian team to make the doubles final since 2002, when Green and Mike Ceresia lost to Mexicans Polo Gutierrez and Gilbert Mejia.

There's now an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday. The team competition is a best of three matches with one countries' singles players and doubles team against another's on both the men's and women's side.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Doubles Final
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) d. Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (Canada), 15-2, 15-13

Women's Doubles Finals
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Amy Ruiz & Jacqueline Paraiso (USA), 13-15, 15-13, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Carson wins again

Rocky Carson did it again, winning his 2nd consecutive World Championship title against Jack Huczek in Seoul, South Korea at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships. Carson won in two straight games, 15-13, 15-14, to join Huczek as one of four men to win multiple World Championships along with Egan Inoue (USA) and Sherman Greenfeld (Canada), who like Carson won the title twice.

Huczek's won three World Championships: in 2002, 2004, and 2006.

After winning the first game, Carson fell behind in the second, as Huczek took leads of 8-3 and 11-7. However, Carson battled back to close it to 12-10 and then won three quick points to take the lead, 13-12.

He extended that to 14-12 then stalled, as Huczek fought off several match points before getting two points himself to tie the game at 14.

Then Huczek thought he'd got the 15th point to win the game and force a tie-breaker, but Carson appealed for a hinder that the referee had not called. Both line judges disagreed with the referee and Carson was awarded the hinder.

Carson won the next rally, and then won the match on the ensuing rally hitting a cross court - left to right - passing shot to win the match.

The doubles finals are still to come on Tuesday.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Singles Final
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Jack Huczek (USA), 15-13, 15-14

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Rajsich successfully defends title

Rhonda Rajsich has captured her second World Championship, successfully defending the title she won in Ireland two years ago, as she defeated Mexican Nancy Enriquez in the women's singles final at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea.

Rajsich joins Canadians Christie Van Hees and Heather Stupp as two time World Champions and is one behind fellow Americans Michelle Gould and Cheryl Gudinas, who each have three Worlds titles.

The loss ended Enriquez's fine run through the competition as she was seeded 7th and had to defeat Canadian Jennifer Saunders and Gudinas to reach the final. Perhaps these performances will translate into victories on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, where Enriquez is only ranked 41st.

The other finals are still to come on Tuesday.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Women's Singles Final
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Nancy Enriquez (Mexico), 15-8, 15-11

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Semi Final Results

Americans have made it through to all four event finals at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. Men's singles will be a rematch of the 2008 World Championship final in Ireland, where Rocky Carson defeated Jack Huczek.

They both got to the final with close two game victories in the semi-finals. Defending champion Carson took out Ricardo Monroy of Bolivia, 15-13, 15-12, and Huczek beat Canadian Vincent Gagnon, 15-12, 15-12.

If Carson wins, he'll become the 4th man to win multiple World Championships, joining two time winners Egan Inoue (USA) and Sherman Greenfeld (Canada) as well as three time winner Huczek. A Huczek victory would be his fourth and make him the winningest player at Worlds. He's the winningest man already but Michelle Gould and Cheryl Gudinas also have three World titles.

The women's final will be a USA-Mexico battle, as many expected, but the Mexcian player isn't who was expected, as Paola Longoria, #1 on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO), lost to American Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals, 9-15, 15-10, 11-5.

Instead representing Mexico in the final will be Nancy Enriquez, who defeated American Cheryl Gudinas in the other semi, 5-15, 15-14, 11-5, to reach an international final for the first time in her career. She was a semi-finalist in the Pan American Championships earlier this year.

Longoria will have a chance for gold, however, as she and partner Samantha Salas Solis advanced to the women's doubles final with a 15-8, 15-6 victory over Canadians Brandi Jacobson Prentice and Frédérique Lambert.

The Mexicans will face defending champions Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz (USA), who defeated the Japanese pair of Naomi Wakimoto and Toshiko Sakamoto, 15-9, 15-3. An American victory would be the 3rd straight gold medal for Ruiz, who also won the title in 2006 with Laura Fenton.

In men's doubles, the American team of Ben Croft and Mitch Williams needed a tie-breaker to get by Venezuelan veterans Cesar Castro and Jorge Hirsekorn, 15-10, 6-15, 11-5. The other finalists are Canadians Mike Green and Tim Landeryou, the 2010 Pan American Championship gold medalists, who easily defeated the Mexican team of Alejandro Landa and Miguel Perea, 15-2, 15-5.

All finals will be played on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday. The team competition is a best of three matches with one countries' singles players and doubles team against another's on both the men's and women's side.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Singles
Semi-finals
Jack Huczek (USA) d. Vincent Gagnon (Canada), 15-12, 15-12
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-12

FINAL
Jack Huczek (USA) vs. Rocky Carson (USA)

Men's Doubles
Semi-finals
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) d. Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (Venezuela), 15-10, 6-15, 11-5
Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (Canada) d. Alejandro Landa & Miguel Perea (Mexico), 15-2, 15-5

FINAL
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) vs. Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (Canada)

Women's Singles
Semi finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Paola Longoria (Mexico), 9-15, 15-10, 11-5
Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 5-15, 15-14, 11-5

FINAL
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) vs. Nancy Enriquez (Mexico)

Women's Doubles
Semi-finals
Amy Ruiz & Jacqueline Paraiso (USA) d. Naomi Wakimoto & Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan), 15-9, 15-3
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice & Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-8, 15-6

FINAL
Amy Ruiz & Jacqueline Paraiso (USA) vs. Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Men's Quarter Finals

Defending champion Rocky Carson and runner up Jack Huczek remain on track to meet in the finals again at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea, as they both won their quarter final matches. Carson defeated Alejandro Herrera of Columbia, 15-1, 15-8 and Huczek beat Michimune Kono of Japan, 15-3, 15-2 to advance to the semi-finals later on Monday.

Carson will face 2010 Pan American Games Champion Ricardo Monroy of Bolivia, as he squeaked by Alejandro Landa of Mexico, 14-15, 15-9, 11-10. IRF World Championship records are incomplete, but The Racquetball Blog believes this is the first time a Bolivian has reached the semi-finals in men's singles at Worlds.

Huczek will play Canadian Vincent Gagnon, who beat Francisco Gomez of Columbia, 15-5, 15-12, in what will be a re-match of last year's World Games semi-final that Huczek won in a tie-breaker. It's Gagnon's first time in the semi-finals of the World Championships, and he'll have his work cut out for him against the 3 time World Champion.

The men's semi-finals will be played later on Monday, as well as the women's semi-finals and men's and women's doubles semi-finals.

Live Streaming

Word from Seoul is that IRF's request to the local organizing committee that would have enabled live streaming was not met, which is why there hasn't been anything on their website. However, Team India has been doing some live streaming from some modest equipment that they happened to bring along. Thus, you might be able to see some of the action via the India Racquetball website.

This relatively small problem should not taint your view of the local organizing committee who have provided an excellent venue for the event. The competition is being held in a temporary structure, which was the solution after the initially planned venue of a convention centre was unavailable. But it's no ordinary temporary building.

This building has 8 racquetball courts, including a 3 wall glass court; the others all have back wall glass. Moveover, the power unit for the structure is substantial, as they need major air conditioning units so as to keep the heat and humidity down and make the courts playable. The amount of money spent on hosting the games with the cost of this structure is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, which means it could be the most money ever spent on a racquetball event.

Hence, it's been a first class World Championship despite the live streaming glitch, which is only a problem for those of us not lucky enough to be there.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Singles
Quarter finals - Monday
Jack Huczek (USA) d. Michimune Kono (Japan), 15-3, 15-2
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Francisco Gomez (Columbia), 15-5, 15-12

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-1, 15-8
Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Alejandro Landa (Mexico), 14-15, 15-9, 11-10

Semi-finals - Monday
Jack Huczek (USA) vs. Vincent Gagnon (Canada)
Rocky Carson (USA) vs. Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Day Two Doubles Results

They were no upsets on the doubles side on day two of the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. Defending Champions Jackie Paraiso and Aimee Ruiz of the USA are through to Monday's semi-finals with a win over Islhey Mariana Paredes and Vivianna Reveron of Venezuela, 15-5, 15-5.

Next up for the Americans are the Japanese pair of Naomi Wakimoto and Toshiko Sakamoto as they beat Bolivians Jenny Daza Navia and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-12, 15-2.

On the other side of the women's draw, there will be a Mexico-Canada showdown as Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico defeated Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz of Ecuador, 15-2, 15-5, and Canadians Brandi Jacobson Prentice and Frédérique Lambert beat the home team of Young-mi Lee & Yunhui Yu (South Korea), 15-9, 15-6.

On the men's side, there will also be a Mexico-Canada playoff in one of Monday's semi-finals as those teams won their quarter finals on Sunday, although both needed tie-breakers to advance. Mexicans Alejandro Landa and Miguel Perea defeated Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Alvarez of Ecuador, 15-7, 8-15, 11-9 and Canadians Mike Green and Tim Landeryou came back from one game down to defeat Argentines Shai Manzuri and Daniel Maggi, 7-15, 15-7, 11-3.

The American team of Ben Croft and Mitch Williams also advanced to the semis with a win over Costa Ricans Ivan Villegas & Felipe Camacho, 15-6, 15-13. They'll play international veterans Cesar Castro and Jorge Hirsekorn of Venezuela who beat the home side of Min Soo Park and Dong Min-jang, 15-2, 15-11.

Both men's and women's doubles semi-finals will be played on Monday with the finals to follow on Tuesday.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Doubles
Quarter finals
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) d. Ivan Villegas & Felipe Camacho (CRI), 15-6, 15-13
Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (VEN) d. Min Soo Park & Dong Min-jang (KOR), 15-2, 15-11

Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (CAN) d. Shai Manzuri & Daniel Maggi (ARG), 7-15, 15-7, 11-3
Alejandro Landa & Miguel Perea (MEX) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (ECU), 15-7, 8-15, 11-9

Semi-finals
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) vs. Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (VEN)
Alejandro Landa & Miguel Perea (MEX) vs. Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (CAN)

Women's Doubles
Quarter finals
Amy Ruiz & Jacqueline Paraiso (USA) d. Islhey Mariana Paredes & Vivianna Reveron (VEN), 15-5, 15-5
Naomi Wakimoto & Toshiko Sakamoto (JPN) d. Jenny Daza Navia & Maria Jose Vargas (BOL), 15-12, 15-2

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (ECU), 15-2, 15-5
Brandi Jacobson Prentice & Frédérique Lambert (CAN) d. Young-mi Lee & Yunhui Yu (KOR), 15-9, 15-6

Semi-finals
Amy Ruiz & Jacqueline Paraiso (USA) vs. Naomi Wakimoto & Toshiko Sakamoto (JPN)
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) vs. Brandi Jacobson Prentice & Frédérique Lambert (CAN)

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships Day Two Singles Results

They are through singles on day two of the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea, and the matches weren't as close as on day one. Most of the top seeds have gone through, but not all as 2nd seeded Jennifer Saunders of Canada lost to Mexican Nancy Enriquez, 15-9, 15-9, in the quarter finals. Enriquez will play Cheryl Gudinas (USA) in the semi-finals, as Gudinas defeated Maria Jose Vargas of Bolivia, 15-9, 15-7.

There's also a Mexico-USA match up on the other side of the women's draw, as defending World Champion Rhonda Rajsich (USA) will face Paola Longoria (Mexico) in battle of the two top players on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour. In the quarters, Rajsich defeated Maiko Sato of Japan, 15-7, 15-11 and Longoria beat Jin Young Seak of South Korea, 15-3, 15-4.

Both American men also won their singles matches in the Round of 16, as defending champion Rocky Carson defeated Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic, 15-6, 15-9, and Jack Huczek dropped only 6 points to Ivan Villegas of Costa Rica, winning 15-2, 15-4.

Columbian Francisco Gomez also advanced to the quarter finals by beating Daeyong Kwon (South Korea), 15-9, 15-3. In the semi-finals, Gomez will face Canadian Vincent Gagnon, who beat Carlos Oviedo of Catalonia, 15-6, 15-6.

The battle of Pan American Champions went to the more recent one, as the 2010 champion Ricardo Monroy of Bolivia defeated the 2006 champion Kris Odegard of Canada, 15-9, 15-0. Monroy will now face Mexican Alejandro Landa in the quarter finals, as Landa beat Fernando Rios of Ecuador, 15-4, 13-15, 11-7.

The men's quarter finals and semi-finals as well as the women's semi-finals will be played on Monday. Doubles play is still to come on Sunday.

The IRF has indicated that matches can be viewed over the web via their website, but it's not working for us here in The Racquetball Blog offices, and we're trying to find out why.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Singles
Round of 16
Jack Huczek (USA) d. Ivan Villegas (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-4
Michimune Kono (Japan) d. Marcelo Laprea (Venezuela), 15-13, 15-8

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Carlos Oviedo (Catalonia), 15-6, 15-6
Francisco Gomez (Columbia) d. Daeyong Kwon (South Korea), 15-9, 15-3

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-6, 15-9
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Takaaki Hirose (Japan), 15-4, 15-10

Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Kris Odegard (Canada), 15-9, 15-0
Alejandro Landa (Mexico) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-4, 13-15, 11-7

Quarter finals
Jack Huczek (USA) vs. Michimune Kono (Japan)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) vs. Francisco Gomez (Columbia)

Rocky Carson (USA) vs. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
Alejandro Landa (Mexico) vs. Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)

Women's Singles
Quarter finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maiko Sato (Japan), 15-7, 15-11
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Jin Young Seok (South Korea), 15-3, 15-4

Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia), 15-9, 15-7
Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) d. Jen Saunders (Canada), 15-9, 15-9

Semi finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) vs. Paola Longoria (Mexico)
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) vs. Nancy Enriquez (Mexico)

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 IRF World Championships - Day 1 Results

It's just the first day of competition in Seoul, South Korea at the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, but there have already been some close matches, including two upsets. Playing on home soil Jin Young Seok of South Korea defeated 4th seed Josée Grand'Maître of Canada, 15-8, 15-6, in the Round of 16. Next up for the Korean is Mexican Paola Longoria, who defeated Cristina Cordova of Ecuador, 15-4, 15-3.

Seok's team-mate also played well pushing Canadian Jennfier Saunders to a tie-breaker before falling, 15-8, 11-15, 11-4. Saunders will face Mexican Nancy Enriquez in the quarter finals, and Enriquez also needed a tie-breaker to defeat Maria Paz Munoz of Ecuador, 15-3, 14-15, 11-6.

The upset on the men's side came as Mexican Eduardo Alvia, the 4th seed, lost to Columbian Francisco Gomez in two straight games, 15-10, 15-3. But Alejandro Landa, the other Mexican man in singles, defeated Siaosi Palauni of Tonga, 15-5, 15-4.

Unlike in years past, matches now can be difficult from the start, and the first matches for Americans Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson, the defending World Champion, provided evidence of that. Indeed, Carson needed a tie-breaker to beat Argentine Shai Manzuri, 13-15, 15-8, 11-4, while Huczek defeated the other Argentine in the draw, Daniel Maggi, 15-13, 15-12.

Close match of the day was Fernando Rios's victory over home country favorite Seung Jun Jeon (South Korea) with the scoreline of 15-10, 14-15, 11-10. Can't get much closer than that.

Match highlight of the Men's Round of 16 might be the battle between the current Pan American Champion Ricardo Monroy of Bolivia and the 2006 Pan American Champion Canadian Kris Odegard. The winner of that will face either Rios or Landa in the quarter finals.

Play continues Sunday with the Round of 16s in singles and the quarter finals in doubles en route to the finals on Tuesday. Matches can be viewed over the web via the IRF website.

15th IRF World Championships
Seoul, South Korea

Men's Singles
Round of 64
Raaj Mohan (India) d. Jeff Hwang (China), 15-7, 15-3
Francisco Gomez (Columbia) d. Sitaram Vananran (Tonga) 15-2, 15-1
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Timothy Baghurst (United Kingdom) 15-3, 15-6
Siaosi Palauni (Tonga) d. Choung-yew Chang (Taiwan) 15-4, 15-4
Daniel Maggi (Argentina) d. Wen-chang Wen (Taiwan) 15-1, 15-2

Round of 32
Jack Huczek (USA) d. Daniel Maggi (Argentina) 15-13, 15-12
Ivan Villegas (Costa Rica) d. Simon Perdomo (Dominican Republic) 15-12, 15-5

Michimune Kono (Japan) d. Luis Meza (Guatemala) 15-5, 15-2
Marcelo Laprea (Venezuela) d. Patrick Hanley (Ireland) 15-3, 15-12

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Raaj Mohan (India) 15-4, 15-6
Carlos Oviedo (Catalonia) d. Amol Rocha (Bolivia) 15-4, 6-15, 11-7

Daeyong Kwon (South Korea) d. Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador) 15-7, 15-9
Francisco Gomez (Columbia) d. Eduardo Avila (Mexico) 15-10, 15-3

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina) 13-15, 15-8, 11-4
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) 15-14, 13-15, 11-8

Takaaki Hirose (Japan) d. Christian Wer (Guatemala) 15-6, 15-12
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Cesar Castro (Venezuela) 15-11, 15-12

Kris Odegard (Canada) d. Sathwik Rai (India) 15-2, 15-1
Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Joseph Dillon (Ireland) 15-4, 15-5

Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Seung Jun Jeon (South Korea) 15-10, 14-15, 11-10
Alejandro Landa (Mexico) d. Siaosi Palauni (Tonga) 15-5, 15-4

Round of 16
Jack Huczek (USA) vs. Ivan Villegas (Costa Rica)
Michimune Kono (Japan) vs. Marcelo Laprea (Venezuela)

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) vs. Carlos Oviedo (Catalonia)
Daeyong Kwon (South Korea) vs. Francisco Gomez (Columbia)

Rocky Carson (USA) vs. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) vs. Takaaki Hirose (Japan)

Kris Odegard (Canada) vs. Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)
Alejandro Landa (Mexico) vs. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)

Women's Singles
Round of 32
Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) d. Pianola Tua'one (Tonga) 15-4, 15-1
Maiko Sato (Japan) d. Veronique Guillemette (Argentina) 15-9, 15-8
Jenny Daza Navia (Bolivia) d. Sela Brown (Tonga) 15-3, 15-2
Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) 15-5, 15-1
Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya (Columbia) 15-14, 14-15, 11-8
Cristina Cordova (Ecuador) d. Marie Gomar (Guatemala) 15-5, 15-5
Jin Young Seok (South Korea) d. Katie Kenny (Ireland) 15-2, 15-4
Islhey Mariana Paredes (Venezuela) d. Debbie Kessler (Costa Rica) 15-11, 15-7
Jung Eun Anh (South Korea) d. Majella Haverty (Ireland) 15-2, 15-0
Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic) d. Vivianna Reveron (Venezuela) 15-7, 15-7

Round of 16
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic) 15-3, 15-2
Maiko Sato (Japan) d. Jenny Daza Navia (Bolivia) 15-14, 12-15, 11-3

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador) 15-4, 15-3
Jin Young Seok (South Korea) d. Josee Grand'maitre (Canada) 15-8, 15-6

Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Islhey Mariana Paredes (Venezuela) 15-6, 15-1
Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. Etsuko Noda (Japan) 15-5, 3-15, 11-10

Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) d. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) 15-3, 14-15, 11-6
Jen Saunders (Canada) d. Jung Eun Anh (South Korea) 15-8, 11-15, 11-4

Quarter finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) vs. Maiko Sato (Japan)
Paola Longoria (Mexico) vs. Jin Young Seok (South Korea)

Cheryl Gudinas (USA) vs. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
Jen Saunders (Canada) vs. Nancy Enriquez (Mexico)

Men's Doubles
Round of 32
Loleni Tuaone & Tevita Tangulu (TGA) d. Wen-chang Wen & Choung-yew Chang (TPE) WBF - No Show

Round of 16
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) d. Loleni Tuaone & Tevita Tangulu (TGA) 15-3, 15-2
Ivan Villegas & Felipe Camacho (CRI) d. Christian Wer & Luis Meza (GUA) 15-14, 15-11

Min Soo Park & Dong Min-jang (KOR) d. Hiroshi Shimizu & Michimune Kono (JPN) 15-11, 15-11
Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (VEN) d. Srikaran Kandadai & Raaj Mohan (IND) 15-1, 15-4

Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (CAN) d. Patrick Hanley & Joseph Dillon (IRL) 15-6, 15-4
Shai Manzuri & Daniel Maggi (ARG) d. Luis Perez & Simon Perdomo (DOM), 8-15, 15-3, 11-10

Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (ECU) d. Ricardo Monroy & Carlos Keller Vargas (BOL) 10-15, 15-10, 11-9
Alejandro Landa & Miguel Perea (MEX) d. Juan Herrera & Alejandro Herrera (COL) 15-8, 15-12

Quarter finals
Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (USA) vs. Ivan Villegas & Felipe Camacho (CRI)
Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (VEN) vs. Min Soo Park & Dong Min-jang (KOR)

Tim Landeryou & Mike Green (CAN) vs. Shai Manzuri & Daniel Maggi (ARG)
Alejandro Landa & Miguel Perea (MEX) vs. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (ECU)

Women's Doubles
Round of 16
Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (ECU) d. Pianola Tua'one & Sela Brown (TGA) 15-1, 15-0
Young-mi Lee & Yunhui Yu (KOR) d. Katie Kenny & Majella Haverty (IRL) 15-2, 15-10
Islhey Mariana Paredes & Vivianna Reveron (VEN) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Marie Gomar (GUA) 15-4, 15-8

Quarter finals
Amy Ruiz & Jacqueline Paraiso (USA) vs Islhey Mariana Paredes & Vivianna Reveron (VEN)
Jenny Daza Navia & Maria Jose Vargas (BOL) vs Naomi Wakimoto & Toshiko Sakamoto (JPN)

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) vs Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (ECU)
Brandi Jacobson Prentice & Frédérique Lambert (CAN) vs. Young-mi Lee & Yunhui Yu (KOR)

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 World Championship Questions

With the 15th Annual International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships opening ceremonies happening Friday in Seoul, South Korea, let's ask some questions based on the past championships.

Q1: Can Paola Longoria become the first non-USA or Canadian woman to win a World Championship?

Q2: Will the men's champion be a repeat winner - i.e., Rocky Carson or Jack Huczek - or will another man step up and take the crown?

Q3: Who you got in men's doubles? Mexico and the USA have split the last 5 men's doubles titles with Mexico winning 3 and USA 2, but that includes the last one and southpaw Mitch Williams from that team is back to defend the title.

Q4: Can another women's team cause what would be the biggest upset and defeat defending champions Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso? USA women have one all but one World Championship since its beginning in 1981.

Q5: Will the USA sweep the team competition as they did two years ago in Ireland?

Worlds in South Korea

The action can be viewed via the web by going to the IRF website, and they have a convenient graphic to tell you the time in Korea so you can figure out when the matches are going to happen where you are.



This is the second time that the World Championships have been in South Korea as Worlds were there in 2004. The current facility that has been created for Worlds has 8 portable courts including a stadium court with three glass walls. The planned future use of the courts is in other locations in Asia.

Follow the bouncing ball....

2010 World Championships PREVIEW

There are only a few days now until the beginning of the 15th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. Two years ago in Kingscourt, Ireland, the USA swept all four individual titles as well as the team competitions, and Team USA has brought all those team members to Seoul with one exception.

Ben Croft makes his Team USA debut in men's doubles with partner Mitch Williams, who won the doubles title with Jason Thoerner in Ireland. Croft and Williams will be joined by defending champions Rocky Carson (men's singles), Rhonda Rajsich (women's singles), Aimee Ruiz and Jackie Paraiso (women's doubles) as well as Jack Huczek and Cheryl Gudinas.

Team Mexico is likely the biggest obstacle in the way of the Americans plans to repeat. Mexican Paola Longoria has to be considered the favorite in women's singles, as she's the #1 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings.

But in a curious move, it seems Longoria will be playing both singles and doubles, which could have an effect on her by the end of the competition. Her doubles partner will be Samantha Salas. Nancy Enriquez is their other women's singles player.

Note that Longoria, Salas and Enrquiez are all young players, and Mexico has also sent a young men's team to Korea, as Alejandro Landa and Eduardo Avila will play singles and Landa will also play doubles with Miguel Perea.

That's right racquetball fans: no Alvaro Beltran or Gilberto Mejia, and no Polo Gutierrez and Javier Moreno in doubles. Those four players were the Mexican team in the Central American Games two weeks ago.

This is likely a strategic move by Mexico to get their younger players more international competition, especially as Mexico will be hosting the Pan American Games next year in Guadalajara.

The Canadian contingent in Korea will be a mix of young and old, as three Canadians are making their World Championship debuts, although all three played in the Pan American Championships earlier this year. Indeed, one of the rookies - Tim Landeryou - won men's doubles with veteran Mike Green.

Green and Landeryou will again play doubles in Korea and the other two Canadian Worlds rookies are playing women's doubles: Brandi Jacobson Prentice and Frédérique Lambert. Rounding out the Canadian team are Vincent Gagnon, Kris Odegard, Jennifer Saunders, and Josée Grand'Maître, who are all playing singles.

Seventeen countries will be represented by more than one player. Joining the USA, Mexico and Canada will be Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, Tonga, Venezuela, and the hosts from South Korea.

Players to watch from those other countries include Ricardo Monroy of Bolivia, who won the Pan American Championships earlier this year, Columbians Cristina Amaya, Alejandro Herrera and Juan Herrera, as well as Japanese players Maiko Sato and Hiroshi Shimizu.

Also, Véronique Guillemette, who played for Canada in Ireland two years ago, will be in Seoul, but in powder blue and white rather than red and white, as she'll be playing for Argentina. Guillemette moved to Buenos Aires in 2009 to be with her partner veteran Argentine player Daniel Maggi.

Matches will be streamed live over the internet. Go to the IRF web page to find the link.

Below are the results from the 2008 IRF World Championships.

2008 IRF World Championships Results

Men's Singles
Gold Rocky Carson (USA)
Silver Jack Huczek (USA)
Bronze Alvaro Beltran (Mexico) and Vincent Gagnon (Canada)

Men's Doubles
Gold Jason Thoerner & Mitch Williams (USA)
Silver Gilberto Meija & Javiar Moreno (Mexico)
Bronze Cesar Castro & Jorge Hirsekorn (Venezuela) and Hiroshi Shimizu & Michimune Kono (Japan)

Women's Singles
Gold Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Silver Cheryl Gudinas (USA)
Bronze Paola Longoria (Mexico) and Jennifer Saunders (Canada)

Women's Doubles
Gold Aimee Ruiz & Jacqueline Paraiso (USA)
Silver Geneviève Brodeur & Veronique Guillemette (Canada)
Bronze Angela Grisar & Fabiola Marquez (Chile) and Paola Longoria & Rosy Torres (Mexico)

Follow the bouncing ball....

XXI Central American Games - Results

Mexico swept the gold medals at the XXI Central American Games in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It's a feat they'll hope to repeat at the World Championships in South Korea beginning next week.

Paola Longoria won the women's singles title, defeating Claudine Garcia of the Dominican Republic in the final, 15-2, 15-8. The men's final was an all Mexico affair between Alvaro Beltran and Gilberto Mejia that was won by Beltran after Mejia retired in the second game after losing first, 15-2.

In doubles, Samantha Salas and Susy Acosta won the women's side in a walk over against Garcia and Yira Portes (Dominican Republic), while Polo Gutierrez and Javier Moreno beat Luis Perez and Simon Perdomo (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-1.

2010 Central American Games
Results Summary

Women's Singles Gold Medal Match
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-8

Semi finals
Longoria d. Anna Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-3, 15-8
Garcia d. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 15-7, 15-14

Men's Singles Gold Medal Match
Alvaro Beltran (Mexico) d. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico), 15-2, retired

Semi finals
Beltran d. Simon Perdomo (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-3
Mejia d. Cesar Castro Jr (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-7

Women's Doubles Gold Medal Match
Samantha Salas & Susy Acosta d. Claudine Garcia & Yira Portes (Dominican Republic), walk over

Semi finals
Salas & Acosta d. Marie Gomar & Luci Zacrisson (Guatamala), 15-0, 15-2
Garcia & Portes d. Naomi Sasso & Kessler (Costa Rica), 15-8, 15-8

Men's Doubles Gold Medal Match
Polo Gutierrez & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Simon Perdomo & Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-1

Semi finals
Gutierrez & Moreno d. Jorge Hirsekorn & Fabian Balmori (Venezuela), 15-3, retired
Perez & Perdomo d. Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Costa Rica), 15-10, 15-5

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Confirmation: Rocky Carson joins HEAD Penn Racquet Sports

HEAD Penn officially announced today that current World Champion Rocky Carson, #3 on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), has agreed to a "long term contract to exclusively use equipment from HEAD Penn Racquet Sports." Length of the contact and terms were not disclosed.

Carson's signing gives HEAD Penn 3 of the top 5 IRT players, as he joins doubles partner and IRT #2 Jack Huczek and IRT #5 Shane Vanderson in the HEAD Penn stable.

Carson previously played with HEAD Penn from 2002 to 2006. "I'm very excited to be back with HEAD," said Carson. "Their faith in me as a top ranked player and our shared vision for the future of racquetball solidified my decision to rejoin the HEAD Penn team."

Carson will be in Seoul, South Korea next week to begin defense of his International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championship.

Follow the bouncing ball....