Longoria wins 2nd US Open title

Paola Longoria won her 2nd US Open title Sunday, as she beat Rhonda Rajsich in three straight games, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, in the 16th US Open Racquetball Championships in Minneapolis.

Longoria, the 2nd ranked player in the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO), played her third straight US Open final with WPRO #1 Rajsich.

Longoria drove serve throughout the match, and it was an effective strategy against Rajsich, who never seemed to a serve she was comfortable with. Rajsich played very well in the semi-final on Saturday against Kerri Wachtel, so she may have peaked too early.

Game one was close early, as they were tied at 4-4. Then Longoria opened up a lead at 8-4, and 10-5, as she held on to win 11-7.

Game two was also close early. Rajsich led 3-2, when Longoria got the serve back and hit two straight aces to make it 4-3, and she didn't relinquish the lead, as Longoria won 11-5.

In game three, it was close the whole way. In fact, Rajsich led most of that game, including at 5-2. But Longoria tied it at 9-9, and then got the final two points to win her 2nd US Open title.

Longoria first won the US Open in 2008, when she defeated Cheryl Gudinas in the final.

Longoria's three straight game victory is the first US Open women's final to go three straight games since 2006, when Christie Huczek (nee Van Hees) defeated Cheryl Gudinas.

2011 US Open Racquetball Championships, Minneapolis, Minnesota
WPRO Final

Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9

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