IRT - Florida Spring Break Semi-finals

The first semi-final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Florida Spring Break Pro-Am tournament was a see-saw match, as Rocky Carson defeated Ben Croft in five games, winning the odd numbered games and losing the even numbered ones with the final score line of 11-7, 6-11, 11-0, 6-11, 11-0.

Carson played his usual game style with many z serves to the left - Croft's backhand. But he did hit a few drive serves to the right, including one that was an ace and the 10th point in the tie-breaker.

Croft drove serve primarily, and was all over the floor - literally as he often dove to keep the ball in play. The most spectacular rally came in the middle of game one when Croft was on the floor four times, including a dive along the left side that Croft was able to hit forward while diving backward, then he dove twice more to win the rally.

But in the end all that effort wasn't enough, as Carson came out on top.

In the second semi-final, Kane Waselenchuk, the IRT's #1 player, once again defeated #4 Jack Huczek, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9. Waselenchuk led all the way in game one, with leads of 7-1 and 8-3 before closing it out.

But in game two, they were level at 3-3 before Waselenchuk went on to win 11-7. Then in game three Waselenchuk had a 10-3 lead only to see Huczek cut the lead to one point at 10-9. That comeback included an avoidable call on Waselenchuk off a z serve when Huczek returned the serve straight through the middle of the court, hitting Waselenchuk.

However, in a case of "goes around, comes around" Huczek was called for an avoidable when he was serving at 9-10. There was some doubt in The Racquetball Blog office whether the play warranted an avoidable call, but regardless Waselenchuk got the serve back and he made no mistake as he finished off the game and match on the ensuing rally.

The IRT Network will web-cast the final from Tampa at noon on Sunday.

2011 Florida Spring Break Pro-Am, Tampa, Florida
Semi-finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Jack Huczek, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 11-7, 6-11, 11-0, 6-11, 11-0

Final

Kane Waselenchuk v. Rocky Carson - Noon EDT

Follow the bouncing ball....