Bolivia wins men's doubles at 2012 Pan American Championships

Bolivians Roland Keller and Ricardo Monroy are the first South American team to win men's doubles at the Pan American Championships, as they defeated the Mexican team of Alejandro Cardona and Edson Martinez, 15-11, 5-15, 11-7, in the men's doubles final at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile.

Bolivia started well, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in game one. They pushed it to 13-3, but Mexico didn't roll over, as they came back to 14-10 before Bolivia was able to finish it off.

Mexico used that momentum to roll to a relatively easy victory in game two, winning 15-5. In the tie-breaker, Bolivia again took the early lead at 4-0. But Mexico then ran six straight points to lead 6-4.

Bolivia took back the momentum and got to game point at 10-6. But they couldn't finish it, as the Mexicans got the serve back. Yet they were only able to score one point to make it 10-7.

Again Mexico fought off two match points to regain the serve. But it was Bolivia's turn to hold their opponents scoreless as they kept Mexico at 7 and regained the serve and ended the match. The end came on a Mexico skipped shot on a ball along the left wall. A Bolivian player was on the left wall close to the Mexican shooter and after he skipped it the Mexican appealed for a hinder, but the appeal was denied.

With the victory, Monroy becomes first South American player to win multiple Pan American Championships, as he won men's singles in 2010.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Doubles - Final

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico), 15-11, 5-15, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball....