Two time defending US Open champion Rhonda Rajsich will have a chance to defend her title Sunday, as she defeated Kerri Wachtel, 11-0, 11-3, 11-6, on Saturday in the second semi-final of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) division of the 16th US Open Racquetball Championships in Minneapolis.
Rajsich overpowered Wachtel, who didn't score a point until she was down 8-0 in game two. Rajsich used a variety of drive serves to keep Wachtel off balance. Wachtel hit lob serves early in the match, but they weren't effective.
Rajsich's opponent in the final will be Mexican Paola Longoria, the #2 WPRO player. Rajsich and Longoria have met in the last two US Open finals, and Rajsich won both times.
Earlier Saturday, Longoria won an all Mexico semi-final as she defeated Samantha Salas Solis, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8. Longoria got a good start to the match, leading 5-1 in game one. But Salas did come back to 5-4, yet she couldn't get an equalizer as Longoria went on to win it 11-5.
Longoria got a good start to the match, leading 5-1 in game one. But Salas did come back to 5-4, but she couldn't get an equalizer as Longoria went on to win it 11-5.
Game two was a similar story as Longoria led early at 6-1 and 8-3 before winning comfortably at 11-4.
During the first two games, both players hit a variety of drive serves. But in game three Salas switched to lob serves to Longoria's backhand and got an early lead at 3-0.
Longoria came back to level the game at 5-5 and then took a lead at 8-5. It was Salas's turn to come back, and she did tying the match at 8-8. Longoria then served it out with 3/4 speed Z serves to the back left corner - Salas's backhand.
You can watch the final via the IRT Network.
2011 US Open Racquetball Championships, Minneapolis, Minnesota
WPRO Semi finals
Paola Longoria d. Samantha Salas Solis, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Rhonda Rajsich d. Kerri Wachtel, 11-0, 11-3, 11-6
WPRO Final
Rhonda Rajsich d. Paola Longoria - Sunday 11 AM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, October 8, 2011
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