Top seeds get it done at Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event

Mike Green and Jennifer Saunders, the #1 men's and women's, respectively, players in Canada won their respective divisions at the Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event on Sunday in Oakville, Ontario. They each defeated the second seed to do so in what ever rematches of finals from the 2011 Canadian National Championships last May.

Green had the easier time of it, as he defeated Vincent Gagon in two straight games, 15-8, 15-0. Green again used his powerful drive serve to constantly keep Gagnon on the defensive.

Saunders needed a tie-breaker to win her final, as 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert won the first game of their match making several touch shots into the front corners. But Saunders recovered to take game two and force a tie-breaker. She won that with two flat roll out shots, winning 12-15, 15-8, 11-7.

Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Oakville, Ontario

Men's Open

Final: Mike Green d. Vincent Gagnon, 15-8, 15-0

3rd Place: Kris Odegard d. Tim Landeryou, 15-4, 15-6

5th Place: Nathaniel Husulak d. Francis Guillemette, 15-1, 15-8

7th Place: Lee Connell d. James Landeryou, injury forfeit

Women's Open

Final: Jennifer Saunders d. Frédérique Lambert, 12-15, 15-8, 11-7

3rd Place: Josée Grand'Maître d. Christine Richardson, 15-0, 16-14

5th Place: Brandi Jacobson Prentice d. Michèle Morissette, 15-4, 15-5

7th Place: Nadia Vérilli d. Valerie Fallu, 16-14, forfeit

Follow the bouncing ball....

One vs. two in men's & women's finals at Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event

The top two seeds on both the men's and women's draws will play each other in the finals of the Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event in Oakville, Ontario. This will be a repeat of the finals from the 2011 Canadian National Championships last May.

Mike Green, Canada's #1 player, reached the final with victories over Tim Landeryou, 15-7, 15-3, in the semi-finals, and Francis Guillemette, 15-2, 15-0, in the quarter finals.

He'll face 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon in the final Sunday, as Gagnon won a tie-breaker against 3rd seed Kris Odegard, 16-14, 13-15, 11-2.

Gagnon beat Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-10, in the quarter finals.

On the women's side, first seed Jennifer Saunders defeated Christine Richardson, 15-6, 15-4, in the semi-finals. Richardson, the 5th seed, had upset 4th seed Brandi Jacobson Prentice in the quarter finals, 3-15, 15-5, 11-3.

Saunders will face 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert, who beat Josée Grand'Maître, 15-6, 17-15, in the other semi-final.

Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the National Team Selection Event in February 2012 in Regina and the Canadian National Championships next May in Brossard, Que. to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2012 World Racquetball Championships.

The women's final will be Sunday at noon in Oakville with the men's final to follow at 2 PM at the National Fitness and Racquet Club.

Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event

Oakville, Ontario

Men's Open

Semi-finals

Mike Green d. Tim Landeryou, 15-7, 15-3

Vincent Gagnon d. Kris Odegard, 16-14, 13-15, 11-2

Final - Sunday 2 PM EST

Mike Green vs. Vincent Gagnon

3rd Place - Sunday 1 PM EST

Kris Odegard vs. Tim Landeryou

Quarter finals

Mike Green d. Francis Guillemette, 15-2, 15-0

Tim Landeryou d. James Landeryou, 16-18, 15-9, 11-2

Kris Odegard d. Nathaniel Husulak, 15-10, 18-20, 11-6

Vincent Gagnon d. Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-10

Women's Open

Semi-finals

Jennifer Saunders d. Christine Richardson, 15-6, 15-4

Frédérique Lambert d. Josée Grand'Maître, 15-6, 17-15

Final - Sunday 12 PM EST

Jennifer Saunders vs. Frédérique Lambert

3rd Place - Sunday 11 AM EST

Josée Grand'Maître vs. Christine Richardson

Quarter finals

Jennifer Saunders d. Nadia Vérilli, 15-6, 15-4

Christine Richardson d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice, 3-15, 15-5, 11-3

Josée Grand'Maître d. Valerie Fallu, 15-5, 15-2

Frédérique Lambert d. Michèle Morissette, 15-1, 15-2

Follow the bouncing ball....

Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event

Racquetball Canada is having its first National Team Selection Event of the season this weekend in Oakville, Ontario. So far there have been no big upsets. Mike Green, current Canadian champion and top seed, showed the form that won him that championship last May, as he defeated former Canadian Champion Corey Osborne, 15-1, 15-2.

Men's second seed Vincent Gagnon of Montreal also won easily, as he beat Tommy Murray, 15-9, 15-5. Murray's younger brother didn't fare any better, as Samuel Murray fell to 3rd seed Kris Odegard, 15-3, 15-8.

Fourth seed Tim Landeryou defeated current Canadian U18 Boys Champion Kurtis Cullen in two games, 15-8, 15-4.

A highlight match of the women's first round was Nadia Verilli's win over Brittany Nelson, 15-4, 12-15, 11-9. Verilli was a Canadian Champion in women's doubles in 1990, which was before her young opponent was born.

Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the National Team Selection Event in February 2012 in Regina and the Canadian National Championships next May in Brossard, Que. to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2012 World Racquetball Championships.

Play continues through Sunday.

Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event

Oakville, Ontario

Men's Open

Round of 16

Mike Green d. Corey Osborne, 15-1, 15-2

Vincent Gagnon d. Tommy Murray, 15-9, 15-5

Kris Odegard d. Samuel Murray, 15-3, 15-8

Nathaniel Husulak d. Barret Husulak, 15-5, 15-10

Lee Connell d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-9

Francis Guillemette d. Pedro Castro, 15-10, 15-11

Tim Landeryou d. Kurtis Cullen, 15-8, 15-4

James Landeryou d. Eric Desrochers, 18-16, 15-11

Quarter finals

Mike Green vs. Francis Guillemette

Vincent Gagnon vs. Lee Connell

Kris Odegard vs. Nathaniel Husulak

Tim Landeryou vs. James Landeryou

First Round

Pedro Castro d. Dylan Hunter, 15-7, 15-12

Francis Guillemette d. Dennis Oteyza, 15-3, 15-7

Coby Iwaasa d. Nicolas Bousquet, 15-6, 15-7

Barret Husulak d. Steve Scagnetti, 15-4, 15-9

Eric Desrochers d. Sami Harb, 6-15, 15-4, 11-3

Kurtis Cullen d. Sébastien Juteau, 15-6, 16-14

Samuel Murray d. Conrad Cole, 15-9, 15-10

Tommy Murray d. Colin Mohr, 15-13, 15-12

Corey Osborne d. Francois Viens, 16-14, 15-7

Women's Open

First Round

Valerie Fallu d. Callie Hunter, 15-3, 15-1

Michèle Morissette d. Kira Brereton, 15-5, 15-2

Nadia Vérilli d. Brittany Nelson, 15-4, 12-15, 11-9

Quarter finals

Jennifer Saunders vs. Nadia Vérilli

Brandi Jacobson Prentice vs. Christine Richardson

Josée Grand'Maître vs. Valerie Fallu

Frédérique Lambert vs. Michèle Morissette

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO Rankings - "Ch-ch-ch-changes...."

Paola Longoria has regained the #1 ranking in the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). Her win in last weekend's Puget Sound tournament moved her past Rhonda Rajsich into the top spot. Longoria has won more tournaments - 16 - than any other player over the last four WPRO seasons.

Samantha Salas and Kerri Wachtel remain 3rd and 4th, respectively, but there's a wholesale shuffling of the rankings after that.

Adrienne Fisher is up to 5th, but Cristina Amaya at 6th and Krystal Csuk at 7th are both on career highs (according to The Racquetball Blog records). Susana Acosta is 8th and Jennifer Saunders 9th.

Veteran and former WPRO #1, Cheryl Gudinas has dropped to 10th, which must be her lowest ranking for almost 20 years. Gudinas has finished in the top 5 every season since 1993-94, when she made her first appearance in the top 10.

Gudinas missed the Puget Sound event due to knee surgery, and if she's not ready for the next WPRO event - the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia - Gudinas will likely fall out of the top 10 for the first time in her long and tremendous career.

Finally, Kristen Bellows's semi-final result in Olympia has got the former top four player up to 14th.

The next WPRO event is the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, December 8-11, 2011.

WPRO Rankings (November 22, 2011)

Rank - Name - Nationality - Points

1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1451.00

2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1403.40

3 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 608.30

4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 459.45

5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 383.70

6 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 354.65

7 Krystal Csuk (USA) 354.60

8 Susy Acosta-Mendoza (Mexico) 352.50

9 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 334.00

10 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 320.00

11 Angela Grisar (Chile) 307.00

12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 222.75

13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 190.50

14 Kristen Bellows (USA) 158.90

15 Christie Huczek (Canada) 150.25

16 Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) 148.00

17 Linda Scales (USA) 126.00

18 Laura Brandt (USA) 106.50

19 Keely Franks (USA) 90.00

20 Sharon Jackson (USA) 87.50

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Round Up - Herrera, Saunders & Knoth win

Juan Herrera won the 20th Annual Turkey Shoot tournament, a Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in Lombard, Illinois. Top seed Herrera beat 6th seeded Keith Minor in the final, 11-9, 11-1, 11-7.

Herrera defeated Brian Simpson, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7, in the semi-finals, while Minor got to the final with two upset victories. He beat Arthur Schmeiser, in three close games in the semi-finals, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10, and in the quarter finals defeated Brad Schopieray, 5-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7.

Puget Sound Challenge Open Division Winners

In Olympia, Washington, Jennifer Saunders won the women's open division of the Puget Sound Challenge with a 15-6, 15-6 victory over Susana Acosta in the final.

Saunders beat Krystal Csuk, 15-9, 15-10, in the semi-finals while Acosta defeated T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-3, 15-14. Csuk took the third place match, winning 15-4, 15-8 against Baumbaugh.

In the men's open division in Olympia, Taylor Knoth beat Anthony Herrera, 9-15, 15-5, 11-9. In the semi-finals, Knoth defeated Jansen Allen, 15-11, 5-15, 11-9, while Herrera defeated Jeff Stark, 15-7, 15-10.

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge - Longoria defeats Rajsich

Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich for the third time in two months to win the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington. Longoria won it in four games, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10. She's won two of the three Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tournaments so far this season. Rajsich won the other.

Going into this weekend's event, Longoria was trailed Rajsich in the standings by a little over 80 points. This win may be enough to push Longoria past Rajsich into the #1 ranking that she held for two seasons after taking the top spot from Rajsich, who took it back last season.

The next WPRO event is the Christmas Classic December 8-11 in Arlington, Virginia.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Finals

Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Semi-finals

It'll be 1 v. 2 again in a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) event final, as WPRO #1 Rhonda Rajsich will face #2 Paola Longoria Sunday in the final of the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington. Longoria has won their last two meetings: last month in the US Open and in the Pan American Games.

Rajsich reached the final by defeating Kristen Bellows, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6, while Longoria beat fellow Mexican Susana Acosta, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6.

The final will be at noon Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich d. Kristen Bellows, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6

Paola Longoria d. Susana Acosta, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6

Finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Paola Longoria

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge QFs

Top seeds Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria are through to the semi-finals at the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, but in the semis they'll face two upset winners.

Kristen Bellows, a former top 4 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, won again Saturday as she defeated 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5. Bellows will play Rajsich in the semi-finals later Saturday, as Rajsich beat Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3.

Longoria defeated Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4, in the quarter finals, and she'll play fellow Mexican Susana Acosta, who defeated 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel in five games, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9.

The semi-finals will be played Saturday evening with the final slated for Sunday at noon.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich d. Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3

Kristen Bellows d. Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5

Susana Acosta d. Kerri Wachtel, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9

Paola Longoria d. Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4

Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Kristen Bellows

Paola Longoria vs. Susana Acosta

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Round of 16

Kristen Bellows continues to make an impact in her return to the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, as she reached the quarter finals at the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, with a win over 5th seed Jennifer Saunders, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8.

The win sets up a re-match with 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, who was a straight games winner over Keely Franks, 11-8, 11-2, 11-2. Bellows defeated Fisher in the US Open last month.

The other top seeds were also winners. Top seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Cheyenne Hayes, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2; second seed Paola Longoria defeated Grace Hughes, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6; and third seed Kerri Wachtel needed four games to get by Jocelyn Loredo, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9.

The quarter finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final slated for Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Round of 16

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Cheyenne Hayes, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2

Krystal Csuk d. Da'monique Davis, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7

Kristen Bellows d. Jennifer Saunders, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8

Adrienne Fisher d. Keely Franks, 11-8, 11-2, 11-2

Kerri Wachtel d. Jocelyn Loredo, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9

Susana Acosta d. Linda Scales, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4

Cristina Amaya d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 10-12, 11-8

Paola Longoria d. Grace Hughes, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6

Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Krystal Csuk

Adrienne Fisher vs. Kristen Bellows

Kerri Wachtel vs. Susana Acosta

Paola Longoria vs. Cristina Amaya

Round 1

Cheyenne Hayes d. Tammarrian Rogers, 11-9, 11-1, 1-6

Grace Hughes d. Kimberly Ferina, 11-8, 11-3, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Preview

Two of the top Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) players are missing from the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, as #3 Samantha Salas and #5 Cheryl Gudinas are both out with injuries. Salas's shoulder is causing her problems and Gudinas had knee surgery recently.

This means that Kerri Wachtel is seeded 3rd and Adrienne Fisher 4th. Also of note former top 4 player Kristen Bellows is in the draw and she's up against Jennifer Saunders in the Round of 16 and if she wins will likely face Fisher in the quarter finals.

It's a smaller draw than usual, so there are only two first round matches. Tammarrian Rogers will face Cheyenne Hayes in one match with the winner to play top seed Rhonda Rajsich in the Round of 16.

On the bottom of the draw, Kimberly Ferina plays Grace Hughes in the first round with #2 seed Paola Longoria waiting to face the winner.

Play begins in Olympia on Friday with those first round matches and Round of 16. The quarter finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final slated for Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Round 1

Cheyenne Hayes vs. Tammarrian Rogers
Kimberly Ferina vs. Grace Hughes

Round of 16

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Cheyenne Hayes or Tammarrian Rogers
Krystal Csuk vs. Da'monique Davis

Jennifer Saunders vs. Kristen Bellows
Adrienne Fisher vs. Keely Franks

Kerri Wachtel vs. Jocelyn Loredo
Susana Acosta vs. Linda Scales

Cristina Amaya vs. T. J. Baumbaugh
Paola Longoria vs. Kimberly Ferina or Grace Hughes

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT: Ending the Season #1

When Kane Waselenchuk finishes at #1 at the end of the current International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season, which everyone in The Racquetball Blog office is fully expecting, he alone will have the most year end #1s ever. Currently, he's tied for the most with Cliff Swain at 6.

But Waselenchuk will need to finish #1 this season and the next two seasons to set the record for most consecutive #1s. Mike Yellen was #1 five seasons in a row from 1982-83 to 1986-87. Waselenchuk's #1 run is currently at three.

In fact, only Waselenchuk (with 6), Swain (6), Yellen (5) and Sudsy Monchik (5) have finished ranked #1 more than once. (note: Marty Hogan was 'tour champion' four times but that was based on winning the season ending tournament rather than overall season rankings).

Yet despite that record of domination (22 of 28 seasons won by one of four players), there was a six year period when the #1 player was someone different each year. 1986-87 was Yellen's last title. Ruben Gonzalez was #1 the next year followed by Marty Hogan.

Cliff Swain with his first title in 1989-90, but Mike Ray and Drew Katchtik won in 1990-91 and '91-92, respectively, before Swain won his second in '92-93.

Swain or Monchik was #1 until 2002-03, when Jason Mannino got his year end #1 title.

Since then it's been Waselenchuk, aside from the two year interruption that allowed Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson to get on the year end #1 list.

The big question is who'll be #1 next, although we don't expect answer to that for a few year still.

Take Heart

For those who are looking to take the mantel from Waselenchuk they might be heartened to know that Swain was in the top 10 for five years before he became #1. Similarly, Mannino didn't get to #1 until his 8th season in the top 10.

Only Monchik got to #1 in only his second year in the top 10. It took Waselenchuk three years to do that.

(Note: article written with stats from the IRT Historical Data Archive.)

Follow the bouncing ball....

WPRO Rankings - October 10, 2011

Rhonda Rajsich remains atop the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings despite her loss to Paola Longoria at last month's US Open. Longoria remains #2, but is less than 90 points behind Rajsich now.

The only change in the rest of the top 10 is Angela Grisar's move ahead of Cristina Amaya into 9th from 10th, where Amaya now sits. But there could be changes coming after this month's Puget Sound WPRO tournament, as we understand Cheryl Gudinas is going to have knee surgery this month, so will likely miss the event in Washington state.

Gudinas is #5 now, but there are only about 70 points between her and #11 Krystal Csuk. Gudinas was a semi-finalist in Puget Sound last year, so missing the event this year will mean she drops significant points. That gives the six players immediately below her an opportunity to move past Gudinas in the rankings.

Gudinas has been in the top 10 at season's end every year since 1994.

A highlight of the next 10 ranks is Kristen Bellows's reappearance in the top 20 for the first time in a couple of years, as the former top 4 player got to the quarter finals of the US Open last month. Bellows is now 18th.

The next WPRO event is the Puget Sound Challenge in Olympia, Washington, November 17-20.

WPRO Rankings (October 10, 2011)
Rank - Name - Nationality - Points

1 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1374.40
2 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1291.00
3 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 768.30
4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 530.45
5 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 384.80
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 383.70
7 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 350.00
8 Susy Acosta-Mendoza (Mexico) 332.50
9 Angela Grisar (Chile) 327.00
10 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 324.85

11 Krystal Csuk (USA) 314.50
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 222.75
13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 206.50
14 Christie Huczek (Canada) 150.25
15 Nancy Enriquez (Mexico) 148.00
16 Laura Brandt (USA) 106.00
17 Linda Scales (USA) 106.00
18 Kristen Bellows (USA) 96.90
19 Keely Franks (USA) 94.00
20 Aimee Ruiz (USA) 92.80

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Update - Tucker & Tristan win on opposite coasts

The main International Racquetball Tour (IRT) action was in Seattle, but there were other IRT events going on this past weekend.

In Clarmont, California, Josh Tucker won the Pomona Valley Open (IRT Tier 4) by defeating Luis Felipe Munoz in the final, 9-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8.

In the semi-finals, Tucker beat Brandon Davis, 11-5, 11-1, 6-11, 11-0, and Munoz defeated Greg Solis, 11-13, 11-1, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9.

Across the USA in Syosset, N.Y., Agustin Tristan beat Mauricio Zelada to win the Long Island Open (IRT Tier 4). Tristan got to the final by defeating Sean Klingerman in the semi-final and Zelada beat Jamie Hopkins.

Seattle Pro-Am Open Results

Meanwhile in Seattle, Taylor Knoth won the Men's Open division at the Seattle Pro-Am, as he beat James Slamko in the final, 15-10, 15-1.

Knoth beat Ryan Meyer in the semi-finals, 15-13, 15-3, while Slamko defeated Brad Schopieray, 15-14, 15-11.

Knoth also won the Men's Open Doubles title, as he teamed with Tony Carson to defeat Jeff Stark and Lon Bergstrom, 15-10, 15-7.

In the semi-finals, Knoth and Carson beat Dan Darling and Jeremy White, 15-5, 15-6, and Stark and Bergstrom beat Anthony Herrera and Joshua Hungerford, 15-13, 15-13.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Waselenchuk defeats Carson

Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), won again on Sunday, as he defeated the IRT's #2 player, Rocky Carson, in the final of the Seattle Pro-Am, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3. Waselenchuk blanked his opponent in game one of a match for the second consecutive match, as he also blanked Jose Rojas in game one of their semi-final match on Saturday.

In game one, Waselenchuk rolled, using his drive serve on first serve and lobbing on second serve when necessary. Without keeping an exact count, we think Carson served only twice in that game - both drives down the right wall, so to Waselenchuk's backhand.

In game two, Carson briefly led at 2-1, but Waselenchuk ran a string of points to go up 6-2. However, Carson chipped away at the lead, starting with an ace drive serve to the left side for 6-3.

Waselenchuk got to 10 first, leading 10-7, but Carson tied Waselenchuk at 10-10. However, Waselenchuk got the serve back and with two straight points closed out game two.

Carson again got to 2 first in game three as he led 2-0, but like in game two, Waselenchuk responded with a string of points to lead 7-2. Carson got one more point before Waselenchuk finished the game and won the match in three straight games.

The Corona Open is the next Tier 1 IRT event, and it will be held December 15-18 in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Final

Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Waselenchuk & Carson in Final

It'll be #1 versus #2 for the third time this season as Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), will play #2 Rocky Carson in the final of the Seattle Pro-Am. It will be their third meeting of the season, and Waselenchuk's won the previous two.

In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk defeated Jose Rojas, 11-0, 11-5, 11-4, and Carson beat Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-(-1), 11-8.

The IRT Network will webcast the final of the Seattle Pro-Am Sunday at 12:00 PM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Semi finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas, 11-0, 11-5, 11-4
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 11-1, 11-(-1), 11-8

Final

Kane Waselenchuk vs. Rocky Carson

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Top 4 seeds through to semi-finals

So far things have mostly gone according to form at the Seattle Pro-Am, the fourth leg of the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) 2011-12 season, as the top four seeds are all through to the semi-finals.

Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, won both his matches on Friday in straight games, as did the 2nd seed Rocky Carson.

In the Round of 16, Waselenchuk defeated Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-3, 11-5, 11-3, and Carson beat Ryan Meyer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6. Then in the quarter finals, Waselenchuk saw off Shane Vanderson, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6, and Carson won against Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 11-5, 11-2.

Ben Croft, the 3rd seed, had a bit tougher go of it, as he needed five games to beat James Slamko, winning 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-0.

Slamko needed multiple game points in both the games he won. After Slamko finished game four on his second game point, Croft came out blazing in game five, taking a 5-0 lead before Slamko knew what hit him.

Slamko called time out, but all it did was prolong the inevitable, as Croft won 6 more points to get the win.

Croft won his quarter final match against Chris Crowther, but again it wasn't easy, as the first game went to extra points before Croft won it 12-10.

At 6-2 in game three, Croft's game style was on display, as he was on the ground four times to win the rally and make it 7-2.

Credit Crowther though, as he didn't cave in in game three, despite being dow. Crowther fought back to close the gap to 9-8, but couldn't get the final points to force a tie-breaker.

Fourth seed Jose Rojas also advanced after beating Charlie Pratt in the quarter finals, 11-6, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4. After losing the second game, Rojas really took it to Pratt, who seemed be at sea on the court. Rojas switched from drive serving to half lob serves, and cut the ball when going to the right side - Pratt's forehand. It was just such a serve that gave Rojas his first match point, as he hit it for an ace after Pratt whiffed on the return, making the score 10-0 in the fourth game.

The IRT Network will webcast Saturday's semi-finals beginning at 4 PM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-3, 11-5, 11-3
Shane Vanderson d. Tony Carson, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7

Charlie Pratt d. Taylor Knoth, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8
Jose Rojas d. Jansen Allen, 2-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-1

Ben Croft d. James Slamko, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-0
Chris Crowther d. Juan Herrera, 11-3, 11-1, 11-0

Anthony Herrera d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6
Rocky Carson d. Ryan Meyer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk d. Shane Vanderson, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6
Jose Rojas d. Charlie Pratt, 11-6, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4

Ben Croft d. Chris Crowther, 12-10, 11-4, 11-8
Rocky Carson d. Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 11-5, 11-2

Semi finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Rojas
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Preliminary Results, Ruben loses in 5

There will be an Oregon showdown today in Seattle, as Taylor Knoth made it through qualifying at the Seattle Pro-Am, the fourth leg of the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) 2011-12 season, and will play Charlie Pratt in the Round of 16 on Friday.

Knoth defeated another young Oregonian left hander Josh Hungerford, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5, in the last round of qualifying to get to the 16s.

Also of note, James Slamko has a rematch with Ben Croft in the 16s. Last week in Davison, Michigan at the Red Swaine Shootout, Slamko took the first game of their match and was three points from going up 2-0 before Croft reversed the tide and came back to take the match from the young Canadian in four games.

Slamko beat fellow Canadian Tanner Mattson, 12-10, 11-2, 11-2, to set up the rematch with Croft.

Sadly for fans of legendary player Ruben Gonzalez, he again lost in the preliminary round. This time Dan Cramer beat Gonzalez in five games, 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4. Sadly for Cramer, he didn't make the 16s, as he lost to veteran Japanese player Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5.

The IRT Network is webcasting from Seattle throughout the tournament, including the Round of 16 beginning Friday at 11:30 AM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Qualifying Round 3 (32s)

Q8: Hiroshi Shimizu d. Dan Cramer, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5
Q1: Tony Carson d. Grant Stalley, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3

Q4: Taylor Knoth d. Josh Hungerford, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5
Q5: Jansen Allen d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4

Q6: James Slamko d. Tanner Mattson, 12-10, 11-2, 11-2
Q3: Juan Herrera d. Rafael Filippini, 8-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-5

Q2: Anthony Herrera d. Jose Serrano, 11-0, 11-7, 13-11
Q7: Ryan Meyer d. Brad Schopieray, 9-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Hiroshi Shimizu
Shane Vanderson v. Tony Carson

Charlie Pratt v. Taylor Knoth
Jose Rojas v. Jansen Allen

Ben Croft v. James Slamko
Chris Crowther v. Juan Herrera

Andy Hawthorne v. Anthony Herrera
Rocky Carson v. Ryan Meyer

Qualifying Round 2 (64s)

Dan Cramer d. Ruben Gonzalez, 12-10, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4
Hiroshi Shimizu d. Favian Elmore, 11-1, 11-0, 11-8

Tony Carson BYE
Grant Stalley d. Joe Workman, 11-1, 11-6, 11-6

Taylor Knoth BYE
Josh Hungerford d. Joel Barshaw, injury

Arthur Schmeiser d. Connor Laffey, 11-9, 2-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8
Jansen Allen d. Jeff Stark, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5

James Slamko d. Ryan Charbonneau, 11-4, 11-2, 11-2
Tanner Mattson d. John Scott, WBF

Juan Herrera BYE
Rafael Filippini d. Peter Wrigley, 11-9, 11-7, 11-1

Anthony Herrera BYE
Jose Serrano d. Andrew Gale, 6-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-0

Brad Schopieray d. Rick Charbonneau, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6
Ryan Meyer d. Cody Matteucci, 6-11, 11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 13-11

Qualifying Round 1 (128s)

Connor Laffey d. Alex Purcell, WBF

Follow the bouncing ball....

Seattle Pro-Am - Preliminary Rounds

No rest for the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as they are back in action this weekend but this time on the west side of the continent at the Seattle Pro/Am. Qualifying involves two rounds plus one match, and that will all go Thursday.

The 5-8 seeds have been reshuffled from last week's Red Swaine Shootout, but Chris Crowther - the surprise finalist from last week - is still on the same side of the draw as Ben Croft and Rocky Carson, both of whom he beat to get to the final last week. Can he do it again?

Another (potential) match that will have some local Northwest interest will be Taylor Knoth, former World Junior Champion, against Charlie Pratt, which will happen in the Round of 16, if Knoth defeats the winner of Joel Barshaw and Josh Hungerford, which is also an all-Northwest battle.

Knoth defeated Hungerford at last year's Seattle Open, and Hungerford won two matches versus Barshaw last year, so you'd expect that Pratt will be facing Knoth in the 16s Friday.

However, you would also have expected Crowther would not have made the finals last week. But that's why they play the games.

The IRT Network begins webcasting from Seattle beginning Thursday at 8 PM PDT, and continuing with the main draw on Friday when the Round of 16 begins at 11:30 AM PDT.

Seattle Pro-Am, Seattle, Washington

Round 1 (128s)

Alex Purcell vs. Connor Laffey

Round 2 (64s)

Ruben Gonzalez vs. Dan Cramer
Hiroshi Shimizu vs. Favian Elmore

Tony Carson BYE
Grant Stalley vs. Joe Workman

Taylor Knoth BYE
Joel Barshaw vs. Josh Hungerford

Arthur Schmeiser vs. Alex Purcell or Connor Laffey
Jansen Allen vs. Jeff Stark

James Slamko vs. Ryan Charbonneau
John Scott vs. Tanner Mattson

Juan Herrera BYE
Peter Wrigley vs. Rafael Filippini

Anthony Herrera BYE
Jose Serrano vs. Andrew Gale

Brad Schopieray vs. Rick Charbonneau
Ryan Meyer vs. Cody Matteucci

Round 2 (32s)

Q8: Ruben Gonzalez or Dan Cramer vs. Hiroshi Shimizu or Favian Elmore
Q1: Tony Carson vs. Grant Stalley or Joe Workman

Q4: Taylor Knoth vs. Joel Barshaw or Josh Hungerford
Q5: Arthur Schmeiser or Alex Purcell or Connor Laffey vs. Jansen Allen or Jeff Stark

Q6: James Slamko or Ryan Charbonneau vs. John Scott or Tanner Mattson
Q3: Juan Herrera vs. Conrad Cole or Mark Brower

Q2: Anthony Herrera vs. Jose Serrano or Andrew Gale
Q7: Brad Schopieray or Rick Charbonneau vs. Ryan Meyer or Cody Matteucci

Round of 16

Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Shane Vanderson v. Q1

Charlie Pratt v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5

Ben Croft v. Q6
Chris Crowther v. Q3

Andy Hawthorne v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball....