Green and Saunders repeat as Canadian Champions

Mike Green and Jennifer Saunders successfully defended their Canadian titles Saturday at the 2011 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia.

Green played a very strong match, and defeated 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon, 15-4, 15-6. Afterwards Green said felt he played "awesome" as he wasn't "hesitant to bring my weapons," which Green had felt he had been in the semi-finals on Friday when he'd had to play a tie-breaker against Tim Landeryou.

According to Green, he had a good "mix of intensity and consistency" during the match.

Green drove served throughout the match, and driving the ball is one of his primary weapons. It created a big lead in game one at 5-1 and 11-2 before Green won 15-4. But in game two it was close until the middle of the game, when Green led 8-6. Green then went on a seven point run to close out the second game, winning 15-6.

Green's win is the 7th of his career tying him with Lindsay Myers for 2nd most all time behind only Sherman Greenfeld with 10.

Saunders defeated 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert, 15-11, 15-7. Saunders used a variety of serves against her opponent, including drive serves, half lob, and lob nick serves, a Saunders specialty.

Saunders was ahead in both games, but in game one Lambert did tie it at 11-11, and it looked like an upset may be in the making. However, Saunders got the serve back, closed out game one and never looked back.

Saunders felt she played "very solid" but had to "fight my nerves" all match. Asked why she was nervous, Saunders said "because this title is so important to me. The honour of winning a national title is very important to me."

Saunders now has won five singles titles, including the last three. When Saunders was younger, "one would have been a dream," she said. "When I won in 2002 I didn't appreciate how hard it was. I take them one at at time now."

2011 Canadian National Racquetball Championships
Antigonish & Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia
Results Summary

Men's

Final - Mike Green d. Vincent Gagnon, 15-4, 15-6

3rd Place - Kris Odegard d. Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-4
5th Place - Pedro Castro d. Corey Osborne, default injury
7th Place - Colin Mohr d. James Landeryou, 15-13, 10-15, 11-7
9th Place - Nathaniel Husulak d. Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-5
11th Place - Francis Guillemette d. Barret Husulak, 15-12, 15-1

Women's

Final - Jennifer Saunders d. Frédérique Lambert, 15-11, 15-7

3rd Place - Josée Grand'Maître d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 15-6, 14-16, 11-8
5th Place - Christine Richardson d. Brigitte Richard, 15-10, 15-3

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