2010 Junior World Championships - Day Three Results

Jamie Slamko of Canada upset last year's Boys U18 silver medalist, Alejandro Cardona of Mexico, 8-15, 15-13, 11-9, and will be the 2nd seed for the elimination round on Thursday at the 22nd International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Los Angeles, California.

But Slamko needed a tie-breaker for the win, as he dropped the first game 8-15 - despite leading 7-4. He almost let it slip away in the second game also as he led 12-6 only to have Cardona score seven straight points to lead 13-12. However, Slamko got the serve back and was able to finish the game, 15-13.

In the tie-breaker, Slamko led all the way but Cardona made it close when he narrowed the gap to 10-9. But that's as close as he got as Slamko closed out game three, 11-9, winning the match.

Slamko was also a winner in doubles, as he and Pedro Castro beat the Mexican team of Pedro Gonzalez and Victor Garay, 15-6, 15-12, so they are the 2nd seed in Boys U18 doubles.

The top seeds in Boys U18 singes and doubles are Americans. Taylor Knoth is the top singles player and in doubles it's Bradley Kirch and Nick Montalbano. However, Knoth will likely play Cardona in the quarters on Thursday if they both win their Round of 16 matches.

In Girls U18 American Aubrey O'brien is the top seed in singles and in doubles with partner Danielle Key. But in Girls U14 Kate Ryan of Ireland will be top seed as she defeated American Abbey Lavely, 15-12, 15-13 Wednesday. The Racquetball Blog believes this is the first time an Irish player has earned top seeding at an IRF tournament.

Moreover, of the 5 pools in Girls U14 only one was won by an American or Mexican player, as two were won by Bolivians - Natalia Mendez and Mariana Lopez - one by Ryan and one by Canadian Michelle Morissette. The other pool went to Mexican Ximena Gonzalez.

Also of note, American Marco Rojas won a 11-10 tie-breaker over Colombian Sebastian Franco, and will be the top seed in Boys U16.

The elimination round begins Thursday at the Spectrum Club in Los Angeles, California. Play can be seen over the web via the IRF website.

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