Paola Longoria was dominate in her victory over Rhonda Rajsich, 11-1, 11-4, 11-9, in the final of the 2011 LA Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Ektelon World Championship in New Orleans on Sunday, which ends the 2010-2011 WPRO season. Rajsich was less than 14 points ahead of Longoria in the rankings, so this victory should be enough to put Longoria back on top, which would be the 3rd consecutive season Longoria has finished with the #1 ranking.
Longoria drove serve throughout the match, but not many drive Z serves to Rajsich's forehand that Kerri Wachtel used effectively against Rajsich in yesterday's semi-finals. Longoria's drive serves kept Rajsich off balance, and then Longoria killed the balls that Rajsich left up.
Neither of the first two games were close, but in game three Rajsich started well, and led 3-1. Longoria came back and went ahead at 8-4. But Rajsich, who seemed to be looking for an effective serve all match, began lobbing to the left - Longoria's backhand and was able to close the gap to 8-7.
Longoria called a time out, got the serve back, and lob served for the first time in the match. Longoria's lobs went to the left - Rajsich's backhand, and Longoria made it 9-7. But Rajsich recovered, and tied the game at 9-9.
The play went back and forth at 9-9 for several serves, including an avoidable call against Longoria off a Rajsich serve return that hit Longoria after the ball came across into the middle of the court - well out from the left corner, where Longoria had driven the ball.
But in the end it was all just a matter of time, as Longoria closed it out on two consecutive three shot rallies.
Longoria and Rajsich met in eight finals during the 2010-2011 WPRO season, and they each won four times.
2011 LA WPRO Ektelon World Championships
Final
Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-1, 11-4, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, May 15, 2011
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