One theme here at The Racquetball Blog has been that there should be more women playing racquetball. If you look at women's participation in racquetball tournaments, you'll see that they are maybe 20% of the participants, which is too low in our opinion.
Even in the Texas Open, which had 26 women in the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) draw, the women's participation was only 25.7% overall (46 women in 179 players). But that's more than in many tournaments some of which don't even have women's divisions due to low participation.
But if wanted to promote racquetball to women, you could do worse than show them this video, which features Cheyenne Hayes and Grace Hughes in the Women's Open final at the 2011 NW Regionals.
Why do we like that video so much? A few reasons. It's good camera work that is from the front of the court, which is a rare camera angle for racquetball videos, but one that affords viewers a good look at the players.
It's got a nice rocking guitar music playing during the rallies, and the action is continuous: it goes from one rally to the next with no waiting in between. Also, it's not long at 4:28 running time.
We don't know if Hayes or Hughes won, but for promotional purposes, that's unnecessary. If you show non-racquetball people this video, and they don't want to try it, then you're probably not going to get them to try racquetball with anything short of putting a gun to their heads.
Hayes and Hughes are good players, although not top 10 LPRT players. But again for promotional purposes, that could be an advantage, as it could be easier to relate to them than to some of the top players. For example, if you show women rallies with Rhonda Rajsich diving all over the place, then they might get the impression that diving is required to play the game, when in fact, Rajisch's diving is just an aspect that makes her uniquely good.
Promoting sports is difficult, because sports aren't products, like cars or detergent. Thus, it's difficult to argue that one sport is better than another, or that people should do one sport rather than another.
Readers of The Racquetball Blog are likely already among the racquetball converted, but to convert others is tricky.
But part of the trick might be to show them Hayes and Hughes in action.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Weekend Round Up - More Texas Open Results
Other results from the Texas Open in Dallas include Linda Scales's Women's Open victory, as she defeated top seed Sheryl Lotts in the final, 15-12, 15-6. To get to the final, the 6th seeded Scales defeated 2nd seed Cristina Amaya, 6-15, 15-12, 11-4, in one semi-final, while Lotts beat 12th Marian Tobon Gordon, 15-9, 15-10 in the other.
Alex Ackermann won the Men's Open title in an all Texas final, as he beat Jansen Allen, 15-7, 15-5. It was a final that didn't feature either of the top two seeds. Allen, the 5th seed, defeated top seed Augustin Tristan in the semi-finals, 9-15, 15-6, 11-8, while Ackermann - seeded 3rd - beat 15th seed Chase Robison in the other semi, 15-12, 15-4.
It was Robison who eliminated the 2nd seed Anthony Herrera, 15-7, 15-12, in the Round of 16.
Allen did get a victory off Ackermann in the Mixed Open Doubles final, as he teamed up with Paola Longoria to defeat Ackermann and Krystal Csuk, 15-10, 10-15, 11-6.
2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Men's Open
Final
Alex Ackermann d. Jansen Allen, 15-7, 15-5
Semi-finals
Ackermann d. Chase Robison, 15-12, 15-4
Allen d. Agustin Tristan, 9-15, 15-6, 11-8
Women's Open
Final
Linda Scales d. Sheryl Lotts, 15-12, 15-6
Semi-finals
Lotts d. Mariana Tobon Gordon, 15-9, 15-10
Scales d. Cristina Amaya, 6-15, 15-12, 11-4
Mixed Doubles
Final
Paola Longoria & Jansen Allen d. Krystal Csuk & Alex Ackermann, 15-10, 10-15, 11-6
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria & Jansen Allen d. Keely Franks & Anthony Herrera, 15-9, 15-8
Krystal Csuk & Alex Ackermann d. Cristina Amaya & Augustin Tristan, 15-2, 4-15, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
Alex Ackermann won the Men's Open title in an all Texas final, as he beat Jansen Allen, 15-7, 15-5. It was a final that didn't feature either of the top two seeds. Allen, the 5th seed, defeated top seed Augustin Tristan in the semi-finals, 9-15, 15-6, 11-8, while Ackermann - seeded 3rd - beat 15th seed Chase Robison in the other semi, 15-12, 15-4.
It was Robison who eliminated the 2nd seed Anthony Herrera, 15-7, 15-12, in the Round of 16.
Allen did get a victory off Ackermann in the Mixed Open Doubles final, as he teamed up with Paola Longoria to defeat Ackermann and Krystal Csuk, 15-10, 10-15, 11-6.
2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Men's Open
Final
Alex Ackermann d. Jansen Allen, 15-7, 15-5
Semi-finals
Ackermann d. Chase Robison, 15-12, 15-4
Allen d. Agustin Tristan, 9-15, 15-6, 11-8
Women's Open
Final
Linda Scales d. Sheryl Lotts, 15-12, 15-6
Semi-finals
Lotts d. Mariana Tobon Gordon, 15-9, 15-10
Scales d. Cristina Amaya, 6-15, 15-12, 11-4
Mixed Doubles
Final
Paola Longoria & Jansen Allen d. Krystal Csuk & Alex Ackermann, 15-10, 10-15, 11-6
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria & Jansen Allen d. Keely Franks & Anthony Herrera, 15-9, 15-8
Krystal Csuk & Alex Ackermann d. Cristina Amaya & Augustin Tristan, 15-2, 4-15, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Longoria wins 2012 LPRT Texas Open
A new season, a new name, but the same outcome as Paola Longoria won the Texas Open - the first event of the 2012-13 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season, and did so by defeating Rhonda Rajsich in the final, 11-8, 11-2, 12-14, 12-10.
After winning the first game, Longoria was on a roll in game two, drive serving early in that game and then switching to half lob serves, as Rajsich seemed to have lost the plot. It looked like Longoria would win in three games.
But Rajsich dug down and used a variety of serves to try to keep Longoria off balance, and had an early lead in game three at 5-2. But Longoria went back to drive serving and regained the lead at 6-5. Rajsich then ran the score to 10-7, but couldn't finish on her first game point.
That opened the door for Longoria to put together another streak, and she ran off four points to have her first match point at 11-10. The streak was stopped by a short serve, which Rajsich won on appeal after the referee didn't call it short.
Rajsich tied it at 11 with a between the legs shot over to the right side, as she was jammed when the ball came right at her in the middle of the court. But it was Longoria that got to 12 first, giving her another match point, but again she didn't convert it.
Rajsich got the serve back and tied it at 12-12, and on the next rally Rajsich hit Longoria with her racquet after following through with her backhand, as they were both in center court. It was inadvertent contact and Longoria took a few minutes of injury time.
When they continued Rajsich was able to finish off the game, 14-12, to force a fourth game.
Longoria didn't seem adversely effected by the injury, and started out game four stronger than Rajsich as Longoria took a 6-3 lead, using half lob serves. She got three more points to make it 9-3 before Rajsich called a timeout.
Rajsich got the serve back after the timeout and scored two points to make it 9-5. But Longoria regained the serve, and scored a point to again have a match point chance at 10-5.
But again Longoria didn't get it done, as Rajsich regained the serve and then came back to tie the score at 10-10. It looked like the first LPRT final of the season would be going tie-breaker.
Longoria had other ideas though, and she used her drive serve to finish off game four 12-10 and win the match.
The win continues Longoria's winning streak, as she hasn't lost since April 2011 in Stockton, Calif, when Rajsich beat her in the final.
The next LPRT event will a satellite event at the 3 Wallball World Championships September 19-23 in Las Vegas, which is an outdoor event, and then the US Open October 3-7 in Minneapolis.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Final
Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-8, 11-2, 12-14, 12-10
Follow the bouncing ball....
After winning the first game, Longoria was on a roll in game two, drive serving early in that game and then switching to half lob serves, as Rajsich seemed to have lost the plot. It looked like Longoria would win in three games.
But Rajsich dug down and used a variety of serves to try to keep Longoria off balance, and had an early lead in game three at 5-2. But Longoria went back to drive serving and regained the lead at 6-5. Rajsich then ran the score to 10-7, but couldn't finish on her first game point.
That opened the door for Longoria to put together another streak, and she ran off four points to have her first match point at 11-10. The streak was stopped by a short serve, which Rajsich won on appeal after the referee didn't call it short.
Rajsich tied it at 11 with a between the legs shot over to the right side, as she was jammed when the ball came right at her in the middle of the court. But it was Longoria that got to 12 first, giving her another match point, but again she didn't convert it.
Rajsich got the serve back and tied it at 12-12, and on the next rally Rajsich hit Longoria with her racquet after following through with her backhand, as they were both in center court. It was inadvertent contact and Longoria took a few minutes of injury time.
When they continued Rajsich was able to finish off the game, 14-12, to force a fourth game.
Longoria didn't seem adversely effected by the injury, and started out game four stronger than Rajsich as Longoria took a 6-3 lead, using half lob serves. She got three more points to make it 9-3 before Rajsich called a timeout.
Rajsich got the serve back after the timeout and scored two points to make it 9-5. But Longoria regained the serve, and scored a point to again have a match point chance at 10-5.
But again Longoria didn't get it done, as Rajsich regained the serve and then came back to tie the score at 10-10. It looked like the first LPRT final of the season would be going tie-breaker.
Longoria had other ideas though, and she used her drive serve to finish off game four 12-10 and win the match.
The win continues Longoria's winning streak, as she hasn't lost since April 2011 in Stockton, Calif, when Rajsich beat her in the final.
The next LPRT event will a satellite event at the 3 Wallball World Championships September 19-23 in Las Vegas, which is an outdoor event, and then the US Open October 3-7 in Minneapolis.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Final
Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-8, 11-2, 12-14, 12-10
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, August 25, 2012
2012 LPRT Texas Open - Longoria & Rajsich to meet in final
The women's pro tour has a new name - the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) - this season, but the same players are meeting in the final as did for most of last season, as it'll be #1 Paola Longoria v. #2 Rhonda Rajsich in the final of the Texas Open in Dallas on Sunday.
In the semi-finals, Longoria defeated 4th seed Krystal Csuk, 11-8, 11-5, 11-0, despite being hampered by a back injury. She reached for her back between rallies several times during the match, and seemed especially troubled by it in the first game.
Csuk had a lead in that game at 8-6, but Longoria dug deep and pulled out the win. As the match went on, Longoria went to hitting more drive serves - to both the left and right as well as some drive Zs to the right. She may have done that to keep the rallies shorter, and the strategy worked. The winning point was a drive serve ace to the right side.
Rajsich needed four games to defeat 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5, in the other semi-final. Rajsich used a number of off speed and Z serves to try to keep Wachtel off balance in the second half of the match, and afterwards Wachtel said it did bother her, especially with the glass sides walls of the show court they played on.
Longoria hasn't lost since April 2011 in Stockton, Calif. But her back injury may be the little advantage that Rajsich needs to defend her Texas Open title. Last year, Rajsich defeated Samantha Salas in the final.
The LPRT action will stream the final live on Sunday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria d. Krystal Csuk, 11-8, 11-5, 11-0
Rhonda Rajsich d. Kerri Wachtel, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5
Final
Paola Longoria v. Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
In the semi-finals, Longoria defeated 4th seed Krystal Csuk, 11-8, 11-5, 11-0, despite being hampered by a back injury. She reached for her back between rallies several times during the match, and seemed especially troubled by it in the first game.
Csuk had a lead in that game at 8-6, but Longoria dug deep and pulled out the win. As the match went on, Longoria went to hitting more drive serves - to both the left and right as well as some drive Zs to the right. She may have done that to keep the rallies shorter, and the strategy worked. The winning point was a drive serve ace to the right side.
Rajsich needed four games to defeat 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5, in the other semi-final. Rajsich used a number of off speed and Z serves to try to keep Wachtel off balance in the second half of the match, and afterwards Wachtel said it did bother her, especially with the glass sides walls of the show court they played on.
Longoria hasn't lost since April 2011 in Stockton, Calif. But her back injury may be the little advantage that Rajsich needs to defend her Texas Open title. Last year, Rajsich defeated Samantha Salas in the final.
The LPRT action will stream the final live on Sunday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria d. Krystal Csuk, 11-8, 11-5, 11-0
Rhonda Rajsich d. Kerri Wachtel, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5
Final
Paola Longoria v. Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
2012 Texas Open - Quarter final results
CORRECTION - Csuk d. Salas in quarter-finals
The top three seeds are all into the semi-finals in Dallas at the Texas Open, the first stop on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour's (LPRT's) 2012-13 season, and all three won their respective quarter final matches in three straight games.
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria beat Kristen Bellows in three games, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6, #2 Rhonda Rajisch defeated Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0, and #3 Kerri Wachtel was victorious over Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5.
Fourth ranked Krystal Csuk also won her quarter final match, as she defeated Samanatha Salas in five games, 11-6, 12-10, 4-11, 8-11, 11-9. She'll play Longoria in the semi-finals.
The LPRT action will be stream the semi-finals live at 5 PM and 6 PM CDT Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria d. Kristen Bellows, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6
Krystal Csuk d. Samantha Salas, 11-6, 12-10, 4-11, 8-11, 11-9
Kerri Wachtel d. Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5
Rhonda Rajsich d. Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria v. Krystal Csuk - 6 PM CDT
Rhonda Rajsich v. Kerri Wachtel - 5 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
The top three seeds are all into the semi-finals in Dallas at the Texas Open, the first stop on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour's (LPRT's) 2012-13 season, and all three won their respective quarter final matches in three straight games.
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria beat Kristen Bellows in three games, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6, #2 Rhonda Rajisch defeated Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0, and #3 Kerri Wachtel was victorious over Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5.
Fourth ranked Krystal Csuk also won her quarter final match, as she defeated Samanatha Salas in five games, 11-6, 12-10, 4-11, 8-11, 11-9. She'll play Longoria in the semi-finals.
The LPRT action will be stream the semi-finals live at 5 PM and 6 PM CDT Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria d. Kristen Bellows, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6
Krystal Csuk d. Samantha Salas, 11-6, 12-10, 4-11, 8-11, 11-9
Kerri Wachtel d. Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5
Rhonda Rajsich d. Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria v. Krystal Csuk - 6 PM CDT
Rhonda Rajsich v. Kerri Wachtel - 5 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, August 24, 2012
LPRT Texas Open - Round of 16 results
Da'monique Davis provided the biggest upset in the Round of 16 at the Texas Open in Dallas on Friday, as she defeated the 6th seed Susana Acosta, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10. Davis will play Kerri Wachtel in the quarters on Saturday, as Wachtel beat Keely Franks, 11-0, 11-8, 11-6 on Friday.
Samanatha Salas beat Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1, which by the seedings was a bigger upset as Fisher was 5th seed. However, Salas was the #3 ranked women's pro player prior to the shoulder injury that caused her to miss most of last season and her ranking to fall, and Davis has yet to crack the top 10.
Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) #1 Paola Longoria beat Linda Scales in three games, 11-2, 11-7, 11-3, and LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajisch also had a three game victory, defeating Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6.
Cheryl Gudinas won the rematch with Jennifer Saunders, although like their semi-final match in the World Championships earlier this month, it went to a tie-breaker before Gudinas won it, 11-4, 10-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6. Gudinas will play Rajsich on Saturday in the quarter finals.
Kristen Bellows also needed a tie-breaker to get past Cristina Amaya, winning 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9. Bellows will face Longoria in the quarters.
The LPRT action will be streamed live beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 11 AM CDT. The semi-finals will begin at 5 PM and 6 PM CDT Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Round of 16
Paola Longoria d. Linda Scales, 11-2, 11-7, 11-3
Kristen Bellows d. Cristina Amaya, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9
Samantha Salas d. Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1
Krystal Csuk d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-2, 11-0, 11-5
Kerri Wachtel d. Keely Franks, 11-0, 11-8, 11-6
Da'monique Davis d. Susana Acosta, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10
Cheryl Gudinas d. Jennifer Saunders, 11-4, 10-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6
Rhonda Rajsich d. Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria v. Kristen Bellows
Krystal Csuk v. Samantha Salas
Kerri Wachtel v. Da'monique Davis
Rhonda Rajsich v. Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
Samanatha Salas beat Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1, which by the seedings was a bigger upset as Fisher was 5th seed. However, Salas was the #3 ranked women's pro player prior to the shoulder injury that caused her to miss most of last season and her ranking to fall, and Davis has yet to crack the top 10.
Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) #1 Paola Longoria beat Linda Scales in three games, 11-2, 11-7, 11-3, and LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajisch also had a three game victory, defeating Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6.
Cheryl Gudinas won the rematch with Jennifer Saunders, although like their semi-final match in the World Championships earlier this month, it went to a tie-breaker before Gudinas won it, 11-4, 10-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6. Gudinas will play Rajsich on Saturday in the quarter finals.
Kristen Bellows also needed a tie-breaker to get past Cristina Amaya, winning 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9. Bellows will face Longoria in the quarters.
The LPRT action will be streamed live beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 11 AM CDT. The semi-finals will begin at 5 PM and 6 PM CDT Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas, Texas
Round of 16
Paola Longoria d. Linda Scales, 11-2, 11-7, 11-3
Kristen Bellows d. Cristina Amaya, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9
Samantha Salas d. Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1
Krystal Csuk d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-2, 11-0, 11-5
Kerri Wachtel d. Keely Franks, 11-0, 11-8, 11-6
Da'monique Davis d. Susana Acosta, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10
Cheryl Gudinas d. Jennifer Saunders, 11-4, 10-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6
Rhonda Rajsich d. Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria v. Kristen Bellows
Krystal Csuk v. Samantha Salas
Kerri Wachtel v. Da'monique Davis
Rhonda Rajsich v. Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
LPRT Texas Open - Round of 32
The Texas Open Round of 32 is now complete and there was only one slight upset, as in the 16/17 game 17th seed Linda Scales defeated 16th seed Laura Brandt, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-0. Scales will face Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) #1 Paola Longoria in the Round of 16 later on Friday.
There should be a few interesting matches in the 16s, including Samanatha Salas versus 5th seed Adrienne Fisher. Salas defeated Islhey Paredes Guillen, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2, in the 32s.
Also there will be a rematch between Jennifer Saunders and Cheryl Gudinas, who played in the semi-finals of the World Championships in Santo Domingo earlier this month; Saunders win in a tie-breaker.
Finally, Cristina Amaya and Kristen Bellows will face off in the 8/9 game.
The LPRT action will be streamed live beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Linda Scales d. Laura Brandt, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-0
Kristen Bellows d. Dally Watson, 11-4, 11-4, 11-1
Cristina Amaya v. Heather Olson, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1
Adrienne Fisher BYE
Samantha Salas d. Islhey Paredes Guillen, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2
T. J. Baumbaugh d. Debbie Beldring, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6
Krystal Csuk BYE
Kerri Wachtel BYE
Keely Franks d. Marie Barron, 11-5, 11-0, 11-8
Da'monique Davis d. Bernadette Zimmerman, 11-3, 11-0, 11-3
Susana Acosta BYE
Jennifer Saunders d. Hailey Miller, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7
Cheryl Gudinas d. Mariana Tobon Gordon, 11-3, 11-0, 11-2
Grace Hughes d. Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-1, 11-7
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
Paola Longoria v. Linda Scales
Kristen Bellows v. Cristina Amaya
Adrienne Fisher v. Samantha Salas
Krystal Csuk v. T. J. Baumbaugh
Kerri Wachtel v. Keely Franks
Susana Acosta v. Da'monique Davis
Jennifer Saunders v. Cheryl Gudinas
Rhonda Rajsich v. Grace Hughes
Follow the bouncing ball....
There should be a few interesting matches in the 16s, including Samanatha Salas versus 5th seed Adrienne Fisher. Salas defeated Islhey Paredes Guillen, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2, in the 32s.
Also there will be a rematch between Jennifer Saunders and Cheryl Gudinas, who played in the semi-finals of the World Championships in Santo Domingo earlier this month; Saunders win in a tie-breaker.
Finally, Cristina Amaya and Kristen Bellows will face off in the 8/9 game.
The LPRT action will be streamed live beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 11 AM CDT.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Linda Scales d. Laura Brandt, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-0
Kristen Bellows d. Dally Watson, 11-4, 11-4, 11-1
Cristina Amaya v. Heather Olson, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1
Adrienne Fisher BYE
Samantha Salas d. Islhey Paredes Guillen, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2
T. J. Baumbaugh d. Debbie Beldring, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6
Krystal Csuk BYE
Kerri Wachtel BYE
Keely Franks d. Marie Barron, 11-5, 11-0, 11-8
Da'monique Davis d. Bernadette Zimmerman, 11-3, 11-0, 11-3
Susana Acosta BYE
Jennifer Saunders d. Hailey Miller, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7
Cheryl Gudinas d. Mariana Tobon Gordon, 11-3, 11-0, 11-2
Grace Hughes d. Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-1, 11-7
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
Paola Longoria v. Linda Scales
Kristen Bellows v. Cristina Amaya
Adrienne Fisher v. Samantha Salas
Krystal Csuk v. T. J. Baumbaugh
Kerri Wachtel v. Keely Franks
Susana Acosta v. Da'monique Davis
Jennifer Saunders v. Cheryl Gudinas
Rhonda Rajsich v. Grace Hughes
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
2012 LPRT Texas Open - Preview
A new chapter in women's racquetball begins in Dallas this weekend when the Texas Open swings into action, as it's the first tournament of the newly reformed women's pro tour. The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) has taken over from the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO), and the change has led to more control in the players' hands.
Thus, it shouldn't be surprising that there's a large number of players in Dallas, indicating there's good support for the organizational changes. All the top 10 players are there, as well as former #3 Samantha Salas, who could face 5th seed Adrienne Fisher in the Round of 16.
Another potential Round of 16 match is Jennifer Saunders versus Cheryl Gudinas, which would be a rematch of a semi-final from the IRF World Championships earlier this month in Santo Domingo where Saunders beat Gudinas in a tie-breaker.
Of course, much of the attention in Dallas will be directed at #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Rhonda Rajsich, as Longoria will try to keep her winning streak going and Rajsich will be trying to defend the Texas Open title she won last year, when she beat Salas in the final. Longoria wasn't there, as she was suspended for one tournament due to a dispute from the Stockton WPRO event in the spring of 2011.
The LPRT action will be streamed live as the folks who bring you the IRT Network are going to be doing the same for the women this season. All the more reason to subscribe.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Laura Brandt v. Linda Scales
Kristen Bellows v. Dally Watson
Cristina Amaya v. Heather Olson
Adrienne Fisher BYE
Samantha Salas v. Islhey Paredes Guillen
T. J. Baumbaugh v. Debbie Beldring
Krystal Csuk BYE
Kerri Wachtel BYE
Keely Franks v. Marie Barron
Da'monique Davis v. Bernadette Zimmerman
Susana Acosta BYE
Jennifer Saunders v. Hailey Miller
Cheryl Gudinas v. Mariana Tobon Gordon
Grace Hughes v. Sheryl Lotts
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thus, it shouldn't be surprising that there's a large number of players in Dallas, indicating there's good support for the organizational changes. All the top 10 players are there, as well as former #3 Samantha Salas, who could face 5th seed Adrienne Fisher in the Round of 16.
Another potential Round of 16 match is Jennifer Saunders versus Cheryl Gudinas, which would be a rematch of a semi-final from the IRF World Championships earlier this month in Santo Domingo where Saunders beat Gudinas in a tie-breaker.
Of course, much of the attention in Dallas will be directed at #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Rhonda Rajsich, as Longoria will try to keep her winning streak going and Rajsich will be trying to defend the Texas Open title she won last year, when she beat Salas in the final. Longoria wasn't there, as she was suspended for one tournament due to a dispute from the Stockton WPRO event in the spring of 2011.
The LPRT action will be streamed live as the folks who bring you the IRT Network are going to be doing the same for the women this season. All the more reason to subscribe.
LPRT 2012 Texas Open, Dallas
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Laura Brandt v. Linda Scales
Kristen Bellows v. Dally Watson
Cristina Amaya v. Heather Olson
Adrienne Fisher BYE
Samantha Salas v. Islhey Paredes Guillen
T. J. Baumbaugh v. Debbie Beldring
Krystal Csuk BYE
Kerri Wachtel BYE
Keely Franks v. Marie Barron
Da'monique Davis v. Bernadette Zimmerman
Susana Acosta BYE
Jennifer Saunders v. Hailey Miller
Cheryl Gudinas v. Mariana Tobon Gordon
Grace Hughes v. Sheryl Lotts
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, August 20, 2012
2012-13 LPRT Season Preview
Women's pro racquetball will have a different look in 2012-13 as the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) has replaced the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). But the season schedule looks like it will be largely the same as last season, and it kicks off this coming weekend with the Texas Open in Dallas.
Thus, we've got a review of last season for you, first by player and then by event.
WPRO Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarter-finals
1) Paola Longoria, 7 wins
2) Rhonda Rajsich, 1 wins, 7 seconds
3) Kerri Wachtel, 5 semi, 3 quarters
4) Krystal Csuk, 3 semis, 3 quarters
5) Adrienne Fisher, 2 semis, 4 quarters
6) Susy Acosta, 1 semis, 4 quarters
7) Jennifer Saunders, 6 quarters
8) Cristina Amaya, 5 quarters
9) Kristen Bellows, 2 semis, 2 quarters
10) Cheryl Gudinas, 2 semis, 2 quarters
11) Da'monique Davis, 2 quarters
12) Samantha Salas, 1 second, 1 semi-final
24) Angela Grisar, 1 quarter
2011-2012 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
Event - Final - Semi Finalists
Texas Open - Rajsich d. Salas, Semis: Gudinas, Wachtel
US Open - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Wachtel
Puget Sound - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Acosta, Bellows
Christmas Classic - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Fisher, Csuk
California Open - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Fisher, Wachtel
Denver - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Csuk, Wachtel
San Antonio - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Gudinas, Bellows
SCS Title & Escrow Pro-Am - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Csuk, Wachtel
Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO)
2011-12 Statistical Abstract
Matches going 3 games: 97 (56.7%)
Matches going 4 games: 46 (26.9%)
Matches going 5 games: 25 (14.6%)
Total matches: 171 (1 result an injury forfeit)
Most Points in a match: 102 by Kristen Bellows & Susana Acosta at San Antonio, where Bellows won 12-10, 11-13, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10
2nd Most Points in a match: 99 by Mercedes Arias & Tracy Hawthorne at Christmas Classic, where Arias won 14-16, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-1
Fewest points in a match: 36 in Cheryl Gudinas's victory over Debbie Beldring, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2 in the US Open
2nd fewest: 37 on four occasions: (i) Rhonda Rajsich d. Sharon Jackson at Texas Open, 11-4, 11-0, 11-0, (ii) Paola Longoria d. Grace Hughes at Christmas Classic, 11-1, 11-0, 11-3, (iii) Paola Longoria d. Sarah Warhaftig at Denver, 11-4, 11-0, 11-0, and (iv) Paola Longoria d. Sarah Warhaftig at Herndon, 11-0, 11-1, 11-3
Most Points in a win: 53 by Angela Grisar v. Adrienne Fisher at Texas Open
2nd Most Points in a win: 52 by Mercedes Arias v. Tracy Hawthorne at Christmas Classic
Most Points in a loss: 51 by Susana Acosta v. Kristen Bellows at San Antonio
2nd Most Points in a loss: 49 by Grace Hughes v. Islhey Paredes Guillen at Denver
3rd Most Points in a loss: 47 by Tracy Hawthorne v. Mercedes Arias at Christmas Classic
Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -3 on three occasions: (i) Islhey Paredes Guillen d. Grace Hughes at Denver, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11, (ii) Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich at Herndon, 7-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8, & (iii) Da'Monique Davis d. Carla Muñoz at Texas Open, 11-9, 1-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4
2nd smallest difference in total points: -2 by Krystal Csuk d. Keely Franks at Herndon, 3-11, 11-4, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8
Will Longoria's Dominance Continue?
In last year's preview, we wrote of a rivalry between Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich, and they did meet in 7 of the 8 finals last season. But Longoria won all seven of those matches, as well as their meetings in last year's Pan Am Games and this summer's World Championships.
Thus, Longoria has become the dominant women's racquetball player.
Will that continue? It's difficult to see a reason why it wouldn't, especially as Longoria is also the youngest player in the top 10. She's 11 years younger than Rajsich, 14 years younger than Wachtel, 6 years younger than Csuk, and 22 years younger than Gudinas.
Last year, Samantha Salas looked a likely rival for Longoria, but then Salas's season got derailed with a shoulder injury. If Salas is healthy, then she could be a rival for Longoria.
Other young players who might be able to step up their games are Jessica Parrilla, who defeated Gudinas in the team event at Worlds, and Frédérique Lambert, who beat Rajsich in the Pan Am Championships earlier this year.
We'd like to say there's a young American player (or players) who could possibly be a rival, but none have had breakthrough performances like Parrilla and Lambert, so we can't say that.
Off court changes: It's the LPRT now, not the WPRO
The biggest change in the off-season has been the announcement that the WPRO has been replaced with the LPRT. It's not entirely clear what this will mean in practice other than that Gigi Rock, who was the WPRO Commissioner last season after replacing Sharon Feaster, is no longer involved.
According to the LRPT website, which is only one page currently, there will be 11 LPRT events this season. Most of the events from last season are back this season with the additions of event in Mexico, Dayton, Ohio and Overland Park, Kansas.
And it all begins this weekend in Dallas with the Texas Open.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thus, we've got a review of last season for you, first by player and then by event.
WPRO Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarter-finals
1) Paola Longoria, 7 wins
2) Rhonda Rajsich, 1 wins, 7 seconds
3) Kerri Wachtel, 5 semi, 3 quarters
4) Krystal Csuk, 3 semis, 3 quarters
5) Adrienne Fisher, 2 semis, 4 quarters
6) Susy Acosta, 1 semis, 4 quarters
7) Jennifer Saunders, 6 quarters
8) Cristina Amaya, 5 quarters
9) Kristen Bellows, 2 semis, 2 quarters
10) Cheryl Gudinas, 2 semis, 2 quarters
11) Da'monique Davis, 2 quarters
12) Samantha Salas, 1 second, 1 semi-final
24) Angela Grisar, 1 quarter
2011-2012 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
Event - Final - Semi Finalists
Texas Open - Rajsich d. Salas, Semis: Gudinas, Wachtel
US Open - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Wachtel
Puget Sound - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Acosta, Bellows
Christmas Classic - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Fisher, Csuk
California Open - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Fisher, Wachtel
Denver - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Csuk, Wachtel
San Antonio - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Gudinas, Bellows
SCS Title & Escrow Pro-Am - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Csuk, Wachtel
Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO)
2011-12 Statistical Abstract
Matches going 3 games: 97 (56.7%)
Matches going 4 games: 46 (26.9%)
Matches going 5 games: 25 (14.6%)
Total matches: 171 (1 result an injury forfeit)
Most Points in a match: 102 by Kristen Bellows & Susana Acosta at San Antonio, where Bellows won 12-10, 11-13, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10
2nd Most Points in a match: 99 by Mercedes Arias & Tracy Hawthorne at Christmas Classic, where Arias won 14-16, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-1
Fewest points in a match: 36 in Cheryl Gudinas's victory over Debbie Beldring, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2 in the US Open
2nd fewest: 37 on four occasions: (i) Rhonda Rajsich d. Sharon Jackson at Texas Open, 11-4, 11-0, 11-0, (ii) Paola Longoria d. Grace Hughes at Christmas Classic, 11-1, 11-0, 11-3, (iii) Paola Longoria d. Sarah Warhaftig at Denver, 11-4, 11-0, 11-0, and (iv) Paola Longoria d. Sarah Warhaftig at Herndon, 11-0, 11-1, 11-3
Most Points in a win: 53 by Angela Grisar v. Adrienne Fisher at Texas Open
2nd Most Points in a win: 52 by Mercedes Arias v. Tracy Hawthorne at Christmas Classic
Most Points in a loss: 51 by Susana Acosta v. Kristen Bellows at San Antonio
2nd Most Points in a loss: 49 by Grace Hughes v. Islhey Paredes Guillen at Denver
3rd Most Points in a loss: 47 by Tracy Hawthorne v. Mercedes Arias at Christmas Classic
Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -3 on three occasions: (i) Islhey Paredes Guillen d. Grace Hughes at Denver, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11, (ii) Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich at Herndon, 7-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8, & (iii) Da'Monique Davis d. Carla Muñoz at Texas Open, 11-9, 1-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4
2nd smallest difference in total points: -2 by Krystal Csuk d. Keely Franks at Herndon, 3-11, 11-4, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8
Will Longoria's Dominance Continue?
In last year's preview, we wrote of a rivalry between Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich, and they did meet in 7 of the 8 finals last season. But Longoria won all seven of those matches, as well as their meetings in last year's Pan Am Games and this summer's World Championships.
Thus, Longoria has become the dominant women's racquetball player.
Will that continue? It's difficult to see a reason why it wouldn't, especially as Longoria is also the youngest player in the top 10. She's 11 years younger than Rajsich, 14 years younger than Wachtel, 6 years younger than Csuk, and 22 years younger than Gudinas.
Last year, Samantha Salas looked a likely rival for Longoria, but then Salas's season got derailed with a shoulder injury. If Salas is healthy, then she could be a rival for Longoria.
Other young players who might be able to step up their games are Jessica Parrilla, who defeated Gudinas in the team event at Worlds, and Frédérique Lambert, who beat Rajsich in the Pan Am Championships earlier this year.
We'd like to say there's a young American player (or players) who could possibly be a rival, but none have had breakthrough performances like Parrilla and Lambert, so we can't say that.
Off court changes: It's the LPRT now, not the WPRO
The biggest change in the off-season has been the announcement that the WPRO has been replaced with the LPRT. It's not entirely clear what this will mean in practice other than that Gigi Rock, who was the WPRO Commissioner last season after replacing Sharon Feaster, is no longer involved.
According to the LRPT website, which is only one page currently, there will be 11 LPRT events this season. Most of the events from last season are back this season with the additions of event in Mexico, Dayton, Ohio and Overland Park, Kansas.
And it all begins this weekend in Dallas with the Texas Open.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, August 13, 2012
2013 World Games Seedings & IRF Elections
The 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic was the qualifying event for the 2013 World Games, which will be in Cali, Colombia July 25 to August 4.
The World Games will only have men's and women's singles divisions, and the seeding for that competition is determined by the results in Santo Domingo.
2013 World Games Seedings - Men's Singles
1. Rocky Carson (USA)
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
3. Jose Rojas (USA)
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico)
5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
6. Kris Odegard (Canada)
7. Augustin Tristan (Catalunya)
8. Shai Manzuri (Argentina)
9. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
10. Juan Herrera (Colombia)
11. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
12. Tim Landeryou (Canada)
13. Teobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica)
14. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
15. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica)
16. Luis Reveron (Venezuela)
17. Luis Perez (Dom Rep)
18. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
19. Michimune Kono (Japan)
20. Takaaki Hirose (Japan)
2013 World Games Seedings - Women's Singles
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico)
2. Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA)
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
5. Angela Grisar (Chile)
6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico)
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan)
8. Jung Eun Ane (South Korea)
9. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
10. Maria Jose Vargas (Ecuador)
11. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
12. Toshiko Sakimoto (Japan)
13. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada)
14. Carla Muñoz (Chile)
15. Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
16. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador)
17. Claudine Garcia (Dom Rep)
18. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
19. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
20. Anna Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
We've listed 20 players, although only 16 will play in Cali. In the case of someone being unable to play - for whatever reason - the next person in the seeding order will be invited to Cali. The missing player will not be substituted for with another player from that country who did not play at Worlds this year.
Thus, on the men's side, Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) will be invited and everyone's seeding moved up appropriately if any of the 16 men seeded above Perez are unable to play in Cali.
IRF Elections
Prior to the beginning of competition, the IRF held meetings during which a new Board of Directors was elected. This was the first election under their new constitution. Nine people were elected to the IRF Board of Directors.
The member nations elected the nine Board of Directors, and then those nine people selected the Executive Board from within their ranks. The Executive Board members will serve terms of 4 years each.
IRF Board of Directors
Yuni Cobb (USA) — Women’s Development
Carlos Ruiz (Venezuela) - South America
Estuardo Wer (Guatemala) — Central America Caribbean
Keith Calkins (USA) — President Emeritus (Non Voting Member)
Osvaldo Maggi (Argentina)
Rafael Fernandez (Dominican Republic)
Cheryl Kirk (USA)
Roberto Aracena (Bolivia)
Executive Board
Osvaldo Maggi (Argentina) — President
Rafael Fernandez (Dominican Republic) — Executive Vice President
Carlos Ruiz (Venezuela) — Treasurer
Cheryl Kirk (USA) — Secretary
Roberto Aracena (Bolivia) — At Large
Follow the bouncing ball….
The World Games will only have men's and women's singles divisions, and the seeding for that competition is determined by the results in Santo Domingo.
2013 World Games Seedings - Men's Singles
1. Rocky Carson (USA)
2. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
3. Jose Rojas (USA)
4. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico)
5. Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
6. Kris Odegard (Canada)
7. Augustin Tristan (Catalunya)
8. Shai Manzuri (Argentina)
9. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
10. Juan Herrera (Colombia)
11. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
12. Tim Landeryou (Canada)
13. Teobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica)
14. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
15. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica)
16. Luis Reveron (Venezuela)
17. Luis Perez (Dom Rep)
18. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
19. Michimune Kono (Japan)
20. Takaaki Hirose (Japan)
2013 World Games Seedings - Women's Singles
1. Paola Longoria (Mexico)
2. Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
3. Cheryl Gudinas (USA)
4. Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
5. Angela Grisar (Chile)
6. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico)
7. Naomi Wakimoto (Japan)
8. Jung Eun Ane (South Korea)
9. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
10. Maria Jose Vargas (Ecuador)
11. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
12. Toshiko Sakimoto (Japan)
13. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada)
14. Carla Muñoz (Chile)
15. Melania Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
16. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador)
17. Claudine Garcia (Dom Rep)
18. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
19. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
20. Anna Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
We've listed 20 players, although only 16 will play in Cali. In the case of someone being unable to play - for whatever reason - the next person in the seeding order will be invited to Cali. The missing player will not be substituted for with another player from that country who did not play at Worlds this year.
Thus, on the men's side, Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) will be invited and everyone's seeding moved up appropriately if any of the 16 men seeded above Perez are unable to play in Cali.
IRF Elections
Prior to the beginning of competition, the IRF held meetings during which a new Board of Directors was elected. This was the first election under their new constitution. Nine people were elected to the IRF Board of Directors.
The member nations elected the nine Board of Directors, and then those nine people selected the Executive Board from within their ranks. The Executive Board members will serve terms of 4 years each.
IRF Board of Directors
Yuni Cobb (USA) — Women’s Development
Carlos Ruiz (Venezuela) - South America
Estuardo Wer (Guatemala) — Central America Caribbean
Keith Calkins (USA) — President Emeritus (Non Voting Member)
Osvaldo Maggi (Argentina)
Rafael Fernandez (Dominican Republic)
Cheryl Kirk (USA)
Roberto Aracena (Bolivia)
Executive Board
Osvaldo Maggi (Argentina) — President
Rafael Fernandez (Dominican Republic) — Executive Vice President
Carlos Ruiz (Venezuela) — Treasurer
Cheryl Kirk (USA) — Secretary
Roberto Aracena (Bolivia) — At Large
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Mexico wins women's, USA men's & overall at IRF World Championships
Mexico won the Women's Team Competition at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and the victory over the USA in the final marks the first time that the American women have not won the title.
And their loss was in two straight matches, as Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich, 15-4, 14-15, 11-9, and then Jessica Parrilla beat Cheryl Gudinas, 15-13, 13-15, 11-4.
Longoria won game one versus Rajsich easily, but in game two they were close early and Rajsich led 5-4. However, Longoria stepped it up and took a 10-6 lead, and looked to be on the way to a win in two straight games.
But Rajsich fought back, tied the game at 13-13 and then got to 14 first. Then Longoria got the serve back and tied it at 14-14 with a pinch kill to the left corner.
Longoria's first match point was the first of six great rallies, and this one ended with Longoria skipping the ball on what looked to be a back wall set up until the ball took a funny bounce.
On the next rally, Longoria hit a pinch kill to the right corner, ending another long rally. Rajsich again fought off match point with a backhand splat shot off the left wall.
The next rally was the shortest of the six, as Rajsich hit a half lob serve to the left that Longoria short-hopped with her backhand, hitting it cross-court for a winner.
On her third match point, Longoria had a good set up on the right side, but skipped the ball. She appealed the call, but both linejudges agreed with the referee. The ball was close to right wall, which was glass so that might have been a factor in Longoria's error.
Rajsich finally won game one with a long pinch winner on her backhand side.
In the tie-breaker, the players were close early, including being tied 4-4. Then Longoria took the lead at 8-4 and 10-6. Rajsich kept working and cut the lead to one at 10-9.
The final rally began with Longoria drive serving to the left. Rajsich returned it with a ceiling ball that came off the back wall, and Longoria hit a backhand pinch shot to the left corner.
Longoria's pinch wasn't very good and Rajsich may have been expecting better as she seemed caught off guard and despite moving to the front court in anticipation of the shot, Rajsich skipped her shot.
That put Cheryl Gudinas in a must win situation against Jessica Parrilla. Given their relative rankings on the women's pro tour, one would think that a Gudinas win was likely. But sporting contests don't always work out like they are 'supposed' to and this match was a case in point.
Early in game one, it looked otherwise though, as Gudinas was up 7-4 and 11-9. But Parrilla tied the game at 13-13, and then got the final two points to win it 15-13. She hit primarily lob z serves to the right side, which was Gudinas's forehand side but also was the glass side wall.
As with Longoria, Parrilla looked good to take the match in two straight as she had a 12-6 lead in game two. But Gudinas started hitting drive serves and drive z serves, and that put her into the lead at 13-12, and then a 15-13 win.
But Gudinas was only postponing the inevitable as Parrilla took a 5-0 lead in the tie-breaker, and went on to win 11-4.
The Canadian women won the 3rd place match against Colombia, as Carolina Gomez, who played both singles and doubles for Colombia, had an injury left knee, so she was unable to play on Saturday.
USA wins men's title
On the men's side, American Rocky Carson won the first match of the USA-Canada final against Mike Green, 15-8, 15-8. Green played well, despite having to play four times on Friday, but Carson - the #2 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - played that little bit better.
The win put Kris Odegard in a must win position for his match against Jose Rojas (the #3 IRT player), as he needed to win for Canada to force a third and deciding doubles match. Early in game one of Odegard-Rojas, it looked like the doubles match would be necessary, as Odegard was playing well and got to game point first at 14-12. But he couldn't get that last point, as Rojas came back and won game one 15-14.
In game two, Rojas started well and built a big lead at 11-5. But Odegard didn't give up and cut the difference to one at 11-10. However, that's as close as he got, as Rojas made some clutch shots and closed out game two, taking the match, 15-14, 15-10, and giving the USA the men's team title.
In the men's third place match, Mexico defeated Bolivia, 2-0, with wins by Polo Gutierrez over Carlos Keller, 15-5, 15-11, and Gilberto Mejia over Kadim Carrasco, 15-3, 15-3.
Thus, the overall team title went to the USA (1st in the men's, 2nd in women's) with Mexico second (3rd in men's, 1st in women's), Canada third (2nd in men's, 3rd in women's) and Ecuador fourth (6th in men's, 5th in women's).
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
Final
(1) USA d. (2) CANADA, 2-0
- Rocky Carson (USA) d. Mike Green (Canada), 15-8, 15-8
- Jose Rojas (USA) d. Kris Odegard (Canada), 15-14, 15-10
3rd Place
(3) Mexico v. (4) Bolivia
- Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-11
- Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia), 15-3, 15-3
Women's Team Competition
Final
(3) Mexico d. (1) USA, 2-0
- Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-2, 15-1
- Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-13, 13-15, 11-4
3rd Place
(2) CANADA d. (13) Colombia, 2-0
- Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Vaudreuil-dorion, Que.) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), default
- Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), injury forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball....
And their loss was in two straight matches, as Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich, 15-4, 14-15, 11-9, and then Jessica Parrilla beat Cheryl Gudinas, 15-13, 13-15, 11-4.
Longoria won game one versus Rajsich easily, but in game two they were close early and Rajsich led 5-4. However, Longoria stepped it up and took a 10-6 lead, and looked to be on the way to a win in two straight games.
But Rajsich fought back, tied the game at 13-13 and then got to 14 first. Then Longoria got the serve back and tied it at 14-14 with a pinch kill to the left corner.
Longoria's first match point was the first of six great rallies, and this one ended with Longoria skipping the ball on what looked to be a back wall set up until the ball took a funny bounce.
On the next rally, Longoria hit a pinch kill to the right corner, ending another long rally. Rajsich again fought off match point with a backhand splat shot off the left wall.
The next rally was the shortest of the six, as Rajsich hit a half lob serve to the left that Longoria short-hopped with her backhand, hitting it cross-court for a winner.
On her third match point, Longoria had a good set up on the right side, but skipped the ball. She appealed the call, but both linejudges agreed with the referee. The ball was close to right wall, which was glass so that might have been a factor in Longoria's error.
Rajsich finally won game one with a long pinch winner on her backhand side.
In the tie-breaker, the players were close early, including being tied 4-4. Then Longoria took the lead at 8-4 and 10-6. Rajsich kept working and cut the lead to one at 10-9.
The final rally began with Longoria drive serving to the left. Rajsich returned it with a ceiling ball that came off the back wall, and Longoria hit a backhand pinch shot to the left corner.
Longoria's pinch wasn't very good and Rajsich may have been expecting better as she seemed caught off guard and despite moving to the front court in anticipation of the shot, Rajsich skipped her shot.
That put Cheryl Gudinas in a must win situation against Jessica Parrilla. Given their relative rankings on the women's pro tour, one would think that a Gudinas win was likely. But sporting contests don't always work out like they are 'supposed' to and this match was a case in point.
Early in game one, it looked otherwise though, as Gudinas was up 7-4 and 11-9. But Parrilla tied the game at 13-13, and then got the final two points to win it 15-13. She hit primarily lob z serves to the right side, which was Gudinas's forehand side but also was the glass side wall.
As with Longoria, Parrilla looked good to take the match in two straight as she had a 12-6 lead in game two. But Gudinas started hitting drive serves and drive z serves, and that put her into the lead at 13-12, and then a 15-13 win.
But Gudinas was only postponing the inevitable as Parrilla took a 5-0 lead in the tie-breaker, and went on to win 11-4.
The Canadian women won the 3rd place match against Colombia, as Carolina Gomez, who played both singles and doubles for Colombia, had an injury left knee, so she was unable to play on Saturday.
USA wins men's title
On the men's side, American Rocky Carson won the first match of the USA-Canada final against Mike Green, 15-8, 15-8. Green played well, despite having to play four times on Friday, but Carson - the #2 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - played that little bit better.
The win put Kris Odegard in a must win position for his match against Jose Rojas (the #3 IRT player), as he needed to win for Canada to force a third and deciding doubles match. Early in game one of Odegard-Rojas, it looked like the doubles match would be necessary, as Odegard was playing well and got to game point first at 14-12. But he couldn't get that last point, as Rojas came back and won game one 15-14.
In game two, Rojas started well and built a big lead at 11-5. But Odegard didn't give up and cut the difference to one at 11-10. However, that's as close as he got, as Rojas made some clutch shots and closed out game two, taking the match, 15-14, 15-10, and giving the USA the men's team title.
In the men's third place match, Mexico defeated Bolivia, 2-0, with wins by Polo Gutierrez over Carlos Keller, 15-5, 15-11, and Gilberto Mejia over Kadim Carrasco, 15-3, 15-3.
Thus, the overall team title went to the USA (1st in the men's, 2nd in women's) with Mexico second (3rd in men's, 1st in women's), Canada third (2nd in men's, 3rd in women's) and Ecuador fourth (6th in men's, 5th in women's).
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
Final
(1) USA d. (2) CANADA, 2-0
- Rocky Carson (USA) d. Mike Green (Canada), 15-8, 15-8
- Jose Rojas (USA) d. Kris Odegard (Canada), 15-14, 15-10
3rd Place
(3) Mexico v. (4) Bolivia
- Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-11
- Gilberto Mejia (Mexico) d. Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia), 15-3, 15-3
Women's Team Competition
Final
(3) Mexico d. (1) USA, 2-0
- Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-2, 15-1
- Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 15-13, 13-15, 11-4
3rd Place
(2) CANADA d. (13) Colombia, 2-0
- Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Vaudreuil-dorion, Que.) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), default
- Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), injury forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, August 10, 2012
USA in both men's & women's team finals at 16th IRF World Championships
A couple of dramatic semi-finals between Mexico and Canada in the semi-finals of the team competition at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and they split the results. Mexico won the women's semi and Canada the men's. But in both cases, their opponent in the final will be the USA.
On the men's side, Mike Green, the current Canadian Champion came through for his country on Friday, as he won the deciding match against Mexico by defeating Polo Gutierrez 15-8, 7-15, 11-10. Kris Odegard won the first match, beating Gilberto Mejia, 15-11, 15-6, in what was a rematch of a quarter final match in the individual competition earlier in the week, which Odegard lost.
But like Green, Odegard came through for Canada on Friday.
After Odegard's win, Green and Vincent Gagnon played doubles against Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno. The Canadians won game one against the Mexicans, who won the doubles World Championship earlier in the week, but then couldn't finish the match, losing 10-15, 15-6, 11-5.
That set up Green's heroics.
He came out blasting his drive serve, and went up 9-0 in game one against Gutierrez, going on to win 15-8. But in game two, the roles were reversed as Gutierrez built a 11-5 lead, and won 15-7, using soft half lob serves and good pinch shots to level the match.
In the tie-breaking third game, they were close all the way. Then Green edged ahead with a 9-6 lead. But Gutierrez held him there and got to 10 first. However, Green got the serve back, tied the score, but then on his first match point opportunity, he skipped a down the line shot.
But Gutierrez couldn't convert his second match point, so Green got the serve back. He hit another powerful drive serve, and Gutierrez hit a ceiling ball return, but the ball didn't get to the front wall, giving Green the 11th point, game and match.
The Canadian men will face the USA team in the final on Saturday, as the Americans defeated Bolivia in the other semi-final Friday on wins by Jose Rojas over Kadim Carrasco, 15-5, 15-0, and the doubles team of Jansen Allen and Tony Carson over Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller, 15-2, 15-13.
On the women's side, the Americans also won their semi in two matches, as Cheryl Gudinas defeated Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 15-7, 15-2, and the doubles team of Aimee Ruiz and Rhonda Rajsich beat Cristina Amaya and Gomez, 15-2, 15-1.
But in the other semi, Mexico and Canada split the first two matches. Jennifer Saunders got Canada off on the right foot by defeating Jessica Parrilla, 15-7, 15-10.
Then Saunders and Josée Grand'Maître won the first game against the World Championship doubles team of Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas, and the Canadians led in game two, 11-5. But they couldn't hold it as the younger Mexican team came back to win the second game and then took the tie-breaker to take the match, 14-15, 15-13, 11-4.
Thus, it came down to Longoria, who became the Women's Singles World Champion earlier this week, versus Brandi Jacobson Prentice for the right to advance to the final. But in the end it was no contest as Longoria won easily 15-2, 15-1.
That puts the Canadian women in the 3rd place match on Saturday against Colombia.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
Semi-finals
USA d. Bolivia, 2-0
- Jose Rojas (USA) d. Kadim Carrasco (Bol), 15-5, 15-0
- Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bol), 15-2, 15-13
Canada d. Mexico, 2-1
- Kris Odegard (Saskatoon, Sask.) d. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico), 15-11, 15-6
- Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Mike Green (Burlington, Ont.) & Vincent Gagnon (Montreal), 10-15, 15-6, 11-5
- Mike Green (Burlington, Ont.) d. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 15-8, 7-15, 11-10
Final
USA v. Canada
3rd Place
Mexico v. Bolivia
Women's Team Competition
Semi-finals
USA d. Colombia
- Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Carolina Gomez (Col), 15-7, 15-2
- Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya & Gomez (Col), 15-2, 15-1.
Canada d. Mexico
- Jennifer Saunders (Can) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mex), 15-7, 15-10
- Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mex) d. Saunders & Josée Grand'Maître (Can), 14-15, 15-13, 11-4
- Longoria (Mex) d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Can), 15-2, 15-1
Finals
USA v. Mexico
3rd Place
Canada v. Colombia
Follow the bouncing ball....
On the men's side, Mike Green, the current Canadian Champion came through for his country on Friday, as he won the deciding match against Mexico by defeating Polo Gutierrez 15-8, 7-15, 11-10. Kris Odegard won the first match, beating Gilberto Mejia, 15-11, 15-6, in what was a rematch of a quarter final match in the individual competition earlier in the week, which Odegard lost.
But like Green, Odegard came through for Canada on Friday.
After Odegard's win, Green and Vincent Gagnon played doubles against Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno. The Canadians won game one against the Mexicans, who won the doubles World Championship earlier in the week, but then couldn't finish the match, losing 10-15, 15-6, 11-5.
That set up Green's heroics.
He came out blasting his drive serve, and went up 9-0 in game one against Gutierrez, going on to win 15-8. But in game two, the roles were reversed as Gutierrez built a 11-5 lead, and won 15-7, using soft half lob serves and good pinch shots to level the match.
In the tie-breaking third game, they were close all the way. Then Green edged ahead with a 9-6 lead. But Gutierrez held him there and got to 10 first. However, Green got the serve back, tied the score, but then on his first match point opportunity, he skipped a down the line shot.
But Gutierrez couldn't convert his second match point, so Green got the serve back. He hit another powerful drive serve, and Gutierrez hit a ceiling ball return, but the ball didn't get to the front wall, giving Green the 11th point, game and match.
The Canadian men will face the USA team in the final on Saturday, as the Americans defeated Bolivia in the other semi-final Friday on wins by Jose Rojas over Kadim Carrasco, 15-5, 15-0, and the doubles team of Jansen Allen and Tony Carson over Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller, 15-2, 15-13.
On the women's side, the Americans also won their semi in two matches, as Cheryl Gudinas defeated Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 15-7, 15-2, and the doubles team of Aimee Ruiz and Rhonda Rajsich beat Cristina Amaya and Gomez, 15-2, 15-1.
But in the other semi, Mexico and Canada split the first two matches. Jennifer Saunders got Canada off on the right foot by defeating Jessica Parrilla, 15-7, 15-10.
Then Saunders and Josée Grand'Maître won the first game against the World Championship doubles team of Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas, and the Canadians led in game two, 11-5. But they couldn't hold it as the younger Mexican team came back to win the second game and then took the tie-breaker to take the match, 14-15, 15-13, 11-4.
Thus, it came down to Longoria, who became the Women's Singles World Champion earlier this week, versus Brandi Jacobson Prentice for the right to advance to the final. But in the end it was no contest as Longoria won easily 15-2, 15-1.
That puts the Canadian women in the 3rd place match on Saturday against Colombia.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
Semi-finals
USA d. Bolivia, 2-0
- Jose Rojas (USA) d. Kadim Carrasco (Bol), 15-5, 15-0
- Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bol), 15-2, 15-13
Canada d. Mexico, 2-1
- Kris Odegard (Saskatoon, Sask.) d. Gilberto Mejia (Mexico), 15-11, 15-6
- Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Mike Green (Burlington, Ont.) & Vincent Gagnon (Montreal), 10-15, 15-6, 11-5
- Mike Green (Burlington, Ont.) d. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 15-8, 7-15, 11-10
Final
USA v. Canada
3rd Place
Mexico v. Bolivia
Women's Team Competition
Semi-finals
USA d. Colombia
- Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Carolina Gomez (Col), 15-7, 15-2
- Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya & Gomez (Col), 15-2, 15-1.
Canada d. Mexico
- Jennifer Saunders (Can) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mex), 15-7, 15-10
- Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mex) d. Saunders & Josée Grand'Maître (Can), 14-15, 15-13, 11-4
- Longoria (Mex) d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Can), 15-2, 15-1
Finals
USA v. Mexico
3rd Place
Canada v. Colombia
Follow the bouncing ball....
16th IRF World Championships - Men's quarters
The top four seeds are through to the semi-finals of the men's team competition at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and they all got there in two straight games.
Top seeded USA took out Japan with wins by Jansen Allen and Tony Carson over Michimune Kono and Hiroshi Shimizu, 15-4, 15-7, and Rocky Carson over Kono, 15-5, 15-4.
The Americans will next play 4th seed Bolivia. They advanced against Argentina, as Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller beat Daniel Maggi and Fernando Kurzbard, 15-11, 15-7 and Carlos Keller defeated Santiago Ugalde, 15-6, 15-4.
On the other side of the draw it will be Mexico versus Canada. Mexico defeated the host Dominican Republic with wins in doubles - Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno over Junior Rodriguez and Luis Perez, 15-7, 15-3 - and in singles with Polo Gutierrez beating Perez, 15-2, 15-2.
The Canadians had a bit of a tougher time against Ecuador, as their doubles team of Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon needed a tie-breaker to beat Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Alvarez, 15-11, 12-15, 11-0. Then Green defeated Rios, 15-6, 15-9.
The men's quarter finals and semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday, and the women's semi-finals are in progress. Their final will also be on Saturday.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
Quarter finals
USA d. Japan, 2-0
Bolivia d. Argentina, 2-0
Mexico d. Dominican Republic, 2-0
Canada d. Ecuador, 2-0
Semi-finals
USA v. Bolivia
Mexico v. Canada
Women's Team Competition
Semi-finals
USA v. Colombia
Canada v. Mexico
Follow the bouncing ball....
Top seeded USA took out Japan with wins by Jansen Allen and Tony Carson over Michimune Kono and Hiroshi Shimizu, 15-4, 15-7, and Rocky Carson over Kono, 15-5, 15-4.
The Americans will next play 4th seed Bolivia. They advanced against Argentina, as Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller beat Daniel Maggi and Fernando Kurzbard, 15-11, 15-7 and Carlos Keller defeated Santiago Ugalde, 15-6, 15-4.
On the other side of the draw it will be Mexico versus Canada. Mexico defeated the host Dominican Republic with wins in doubles - Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno over Junior Rodriguez and Luis Perez, 15-7, 15-3 - and in singles with Polo Gutierrez beating Perez, 15-2, 15-2.
The Canadians had a bit of a tougher time against Ecuador, as their doubles team of Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon needed a tie-breaker to beat Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Alvarez, 15-11, 12-15, 11-0. Then Green defeated Rios, 15-6, 15-9.
The men's quarter finals and semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday, and the women's semi-finals are in progress. Their final will also be on Saturday.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
Quarter finals
USA d. Japan, 2-0
Bolivia d. Argentina, 2-0
Mexico d. Dominican Republic, 2-0
Canada d. Ecuador, 2-0
Semi-finals
USA v. Bolivia
Mexico v. Canada
Women's Team Competition
Semi-finals
USA v. Colombia
Canada v. Mexico
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, August 9, 2012
16th IRF World Championships - Team Competition Day 1
The early round results are in for the men's and women's team competition at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. No major surprises so far as the top three seeded countries - USA, Canada and Mexico - all won their matches.
On the men's side, there were some notable results such as the Argentinian men defeating Venezuela, 2-1, with the doubles match deciding matters, and that the Dominican Republic men defeated Costa Rica in two straight games.
Women's Semis are seeds 1, 2, 3 and … 13?
The American women advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-0 quarter final victory over Ecuador, but it wasn't that easy, as the American doubles team of Aimee Ruiz and Rhonda Rajsich defeated Maria Paz Muñoz and Cristina Cordova, 15-3, 15-13, and then Rajsich needed a tie-breaker against Muñoz, and only won that 11-10 (the match score line was 15-13, 7-15, 11-10).
The other women's top seeds had easier times of it, as the 2nd seeded Canadian team didn't drop a game in advancing to the semis, and 3rd seed Mexico had a walk-over win against Chile in the quarters.
Joining the top three seeds in the semis is 13th seeded Colombia, as Cristina Amaya seems to have hit her stride after some disappointing results earlier in the week. She was involved in all four Colombian match wins Thursday that saw Colombia defeat 4th seeds Bolivia, 2-1, winning the deciding doubles match in a tie-breaker with partner Carolina Gomez, and then 5th seeds Japan, 2-0.
Amaya will be further tested Friday when she and Gomez face the top seeded US team. Mexico and Canada will play off on the bottom of the draw. Of note, Canada has rearranged its team, as Frédérique Lambert is sitting out due to a chronic shoulder injury. Jennifer Saunders is playing both singles and doubles with Josée Grand'Maître, and Brandi Jacobson Prentice is also playing singles.
The women's semi-finals will be Friday and final on Saturday, and the men's quarter finals and semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
First Round
Honduras d. Puerto Rico, 2-1
Colombia d. Panama, 2-0
Round of 16
USA d. Honduras, 2-0
Japan d. South Korea, 2-0
Argentina d. Venezuela, 2-1
Bolivia d. Guatamala, 2-0
Mexico d. India, 2-0
Dominican Republic d. Costa Rica, 2-0
Ecuador d. Ireland, 2-0
Canada d. Columbia, 2-0
Quarter finals
USA v. Japan
Bolivia v. Argentina
Mexico v. Dominican Republic
Canada v. Ecuador
Women's Team Competition
Round of 16
USA d. Panama, 2-0
Ecuador d. Venezuela, 2-0
Japan d. Costa Rica, 2-1
Colombia d. Bolivia, 2-1
Mexico d. Argentina, 2-0
Chile d. Dominican Republic, 2-1
Guatamala d. South Korea, 2-1
Canada d. Puerto Rico, 2-0
Quarter finals
USA d. Ecuador, 2-0
Colombia d. Japan, 2-0
Mexico d. Chile, 2-0
Canada d. Guatamala, 2-0
Semi-finals
USA v. Colombia
Canada v. Mexico
Follow the bouncing ball....
On the men's side, there were some notable results such as the Argentinian men defeating Venezuela, 2-1, with the doubles match deciding matters, and that the Dominican Republic men defeated Costa Rica in two straight games.
Women's Semis are seeds 1, 2, 3 and … 13?
The American women advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-0 quarter final victory over Ecuador, but it wasn't that easy, as the American doubles team of Aimee Ruiz and Rhonda Rajsich defeated Maria Paz Muñoz and Cristina Cordova, 15-3, 15-13, and then Rajsich needed a tie-breaker against Muñoz, and only won that 11-10 (the match score line was 15-13, 7-15, 11-10).
The other women's top seeds had easier times of it, as the 2nd seeded Canadian team didn't drop a game in advancing to the semis, and 3rd seed Mexico had a walk-over win against Chile in the quarters.
Joining the top three seeds in the semis is 13th seeded Colombia, as Cristina Amaya seems to have hit her stride after some disappointing results earlier in the week. She was involved in all four Colombian match wins Thursday that saw Colombia defeat 4th seeds Bolivia, 2-1, winning the deciding doubles match in a tie-breaker with partner Carolina Gomez, and then 5th seeds Japan, 2-0.
Amaya will be further tested Friday when she and Gomez face the top seeded US team. Mexico and Canada will play off on the bottom of the draw. Of note, Canada has rearranged its team, as Frédérique Lambert is sitting out due to a chronic shoulder injury. Jennifer Saunders is playing both singles and doubles with Josée Grand'Maître, and Brandi Jacobson Prentice is also playing singles.
The women's semi-finals will be Friday and final on Saturday, and the men's quarter finals and semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
First Round
Honduras d. Puerto Rico, 2-1
Colombia d. Panama, 2-0
Round of 16
USA d. Honduras, 2-0
Japan d. South Korea, 2-0
Argentina d. Venezuela, 2-1
Bolivia d. Guatamala, 2-0
Mexico d. India, 2-0
Dominican Republic d. Costa Rica, 2-0
Ecuador d. Ireland, 2-0
Canada d. Columbia, 2-0
Quarter finals
USA v. Japan
Bolivia v. Argentina
Mexico v. Dominican Republic
Canada v. Ecuador
Women's Team Competition
Round of 16
USA d. Panama, 2-0
Ecuador d. Venezuela, 2-0
Japan d. Costa Rica, 2-1
Colombia d. Bolivia, 2-1
Mexico d. Argentina, 2-0
Chile d. Dominican Republic, 2-1
Guatamala d. South Korea, 2-1
Canada d. Puerto Rico, 2-0
Quarter finals
USA d. Ecuador, 2-0
Colombia d. Japan, 2-0
Mexico d. Chile, 2-0
Canada d. Guatamala, 2-0
Semi-finals
USA v. Colombia
Canada v. Mexico
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
16th IRF World Championships - Team Draws
Below are the draws for the men's and women's team competition at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The women's Round of 16 and quarter finals will be played on Thursday with the semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday. The men's First Round and Round of 16 will also be played Thursday with the quarter finals and semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
First Round
Honduras v. Puerto Rico
Colombia v. Panama
Round of 16
USA v. Honduras or Puerto Rico
Japan v. South Korea
Venezuela v. Argentina
Bolivia v. Guatamala
Mexico v. India
Costa Rica v. Dominican Republic
Ecuador v. Ireland
Canada v. Columbia or Panama
Women's Team Competition
Round of 16
USA v. Panama
Ecuador v. Venezuela
Japan v. Costa Rica
Bolivia v. Colombia
Mexico v. Argentina
Dominican Republic v. Chile
South Korea v. Guatamala
Canada v. Puerto Rico
Follow the bouncing ball....
The women's Round of 16 and quarter finals will be played on Thursday with the semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday. The men's First Round and Round of 16 will also be played Thursday with the quarter finals and semi-finals on Friday and final on Saturday.
Matches will be streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Team Competition
First Round
Honduras v. Puerto Rico
Colombia v. Panama
Round of 16
USA v. Honduras or Puerto Rico
Japan v. South Korea
Venezuela v. Argentina
Bolivia v. Guatamala
Mexico v. India
Costa Rica v. Dominican Republic
Ecuador v. Ireland
Canada v. Columbia or Panama
Women's Team Competition
Round of 16
USA v. Panama
Ecuador v. Venezuela
Japan v. Costa Rica
Bolivia v. Colombia
Mexico v. Argentina
Dominican Republic v. Chile
South Korea v. Guatamala
Canada v. Puerto Rico
Follow the bouncing ball....
16th IRF World Championships - Individual Results Summary
We're halfway through the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, so it's a good time to review what's happened so far. For the first time, Americans won only one of the individual competition gold medals. Also for the first time, Mexico won three gold medals in individual competition. Mexico's previous best was two in 2000.
To the Americans credit, all of their players or teams did medal while one of the Mexicans did not. Also in the American's defence one could say they left some of their best players at home, as Ben Croft, say, could have helped them in men's doubles.
But it's on the women's side where the USA should be most concerned as for the first time they didn't have any women playing for gold. They've once before failed to put a woman in the singles final, which was back in 2006 when the women's singles finalists were Christie Van Hees (Canada) and Angela Grisar (Chile).
This year Grisar did to them again as she and Carla Muñoz defeated the US women's doubles team of Aimee Ruiz and Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals. Of course, Ruiz was a late replacement for Kim Waselenchuk, who won the USA National Doubles Championship with Rajsich, so one could argue that was a factor. However, Ruiz and Rajsich played doubles in last year's Pan American Games, so it's not like they had no experience together.
The question is whether age is catching up to the American women, as all are over 30. That would be OK if there were young American women on the verge of making the team, but we don't see that. As The Racquetball Blog has pointed out, there aren't a lot of junior girls playing at the US Junior Nationals and few Americans under 30 in the top 20 of the women's pro tour.
It's an issue that the USA needs to address.
Good news, bad news
Agustin Tristan, playing for Catalunya, had what could be the best ever result for a man playing for European country. Tristan made the quarter finals, and finished in 7th. Gary Mazaroff, IRF Tournament Director, couldn't recall a better performance. Perhaps back in the early competitions, but certainly, there hasn't been one recently.
Tristan didn't grow up in Catalunya, which is the Spanish region around Barcelona. He grew up in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and was Boy's U16 World Champion for Mexico in 2002. But Catalunya has had team's at Worlds previously and their racquetball organization agreed to let Tristan - and his sister Rebeca, who also played this week - represent them this year in Santo Domingo.
And he's done a fine job of it.
Not such a good job was turned in by the Japanese team, particularly the men, who lost all their matches on day one of the competition for the first time in a long while. The Japanese team of Hiroshi Shimizu and Michimune Kono were men's doubles bronze medalists in 2008 but lost their first match this week to a young Dominican Republic team of Junior Rodriguez and Ramon De Leon, although they did go on and win the Red (Consolation) division.
In singles, Kono was taken out by Argentine veteran Shai Manzuri, and Takaaki Hirose was a victim of Agustin Tristan. Kono finished 19th and Hirose 20th.
The Japanese women did fine, although they didn't repeat their podium performance in doubles from two years ago. In singles, Naomi Wakimoto was 7th and Toshiko Sakimoto was 12th.
Go Guatemala!
Finally, kudos to Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval of Guatemala, who earned what we believe is Guatemala's first ever medal at the World Championships. The bronze medalists in men's doubles aren't even men yet, technically, as they're still junior players, but their racquetball future is bright.
The second half of Worlds begins Thursday with the team competition, which will conclude Saturday. There's live streaming via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles
GOLD - Rocky Carson (USA)
SILVER - Gilberto Meija (Mexico)
BRONZE - Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) & Jose Rojas (USA)
Men's Doubles
GOLD - Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico)
SILVER - Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA)
BRONZE - Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) and Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Women's Singles
GOLD - Paola Longoria (Mexico)
SILVER - Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
BRONZE - Rhonda Rajsich (USA) and Cheryl Gudinas (USA)
Women's Doubles
GOLD - Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
SILVER - Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
BRONZE - Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) and Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Total Medals by country
Mexico - 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
USA - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze
Canada - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Chile - 1 Silver
Bolivia - 1 Bronze
Guatemala - 1 Bronze
Follow the bouncing ball....
To the Americans credit, all of their players or teams did medal while one of the Mexicans did not. Also in the American's defence one could say they left some of their best players at home, as Ben Croft, say, could have helped them in men's doubles.
But it's on the women's side where the USA should be most concerned as for the first time they didn't have any women playing for gold. They've once before failed to put a woman in the singles final, which was back in 2006 when the women's singles finalists were Christie Van Hees (Canada) and Angela Grisar (Chile).
This year Grisar did to them again as she and Carla Muñoz defeated the US women's doubles team of Aimee Ruiz and Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals. Of course, Ruiz was a late replacement for Kim Waselenchuk, who won the USA National Doubles Championship with Rajsich, so one could argue that was a factor. However, Ruiz and Rajsich played doubles in last year's Pan American Games, so it's not like they had no experience together.
The question is whether age is catching up to the American women, as all are over 30. That would be OK if there were young American women on the verge of making the team, but we don't see that. As The Racquetball Blog has pointed out, there aren't a lot of junior girls playing at the US Junior Nationals and few Americans under 30 in the top 20 of the women's pro tour.
It's an issue that the USA needs to address.
Good news, bad news
Agustin Tristan, playing for Catalunya, had what could be the best ever result for a man playing for European country. Tristan made the quarter finals, and finished in 7th. Gary Mazaroff, IRF Tournament Director, couldn't recall a better performance. Perhaps back in the early competitions, but certainly, there hasn't been one recently.
Tristan didn't grow up in Catalunya, which is the Spanish region around Barcelona. He grew up in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and was Boy's U16 World Champion for Mexico in 2002. But Catalunya has had team's at Worlds previously and their racquetball organization agreed to let Tristan - and his sister Rebeca, who also played this week - represent them this year in Santo Domingo.
And he's done a fine job of it.
Not such a good job was turned in by the Japanese team, particularly the men, who lost all their matches on day one of the competition for the first time in a long while. The Japanese team of Hiroshi Shimizu and Michimune Kono were men's doubles bronze medalists in 2008 but lost their first match this week to a young Dominican Republic team of Junior Rodriguez and Ramon De Leon, although they did go on and win the Red (Consolation) division.
In singles, Kono was taken out by Argentine veteran Shai Manzuri, and Takaaki Hirose was a victim of Agustin Tristan. Kono finished 19th and Hirose 20th.
The Japanese women did fine, although they didn't repeat their podium performance in doubles from two years ago. In singles, Naomi Wakimoto was 7th and Toshiko Sakimoto was 12th.
Go Guatemala!
Finally, kudos to Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval of Guatemala, who earned what we believe is Guatemala's first ever medal at the World Championships. The bronze medalists in men's doubles aren't even men yet, technically, as they're still junior players, but their racquetball future is bright.
The second half of Worlds begins Thursday with the team competition, which will conclude Saturday. There's live streaming via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles
GOLD - Rocky Carson (USA)
SILVER - Gilberto Meija (Mexico)
BRONZE - Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) & Jose Rojas (USA)
Men's Doubles
GOLD - Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico)
SILVER - Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA)
BRONZE - Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) and Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Women's Singles
GOLD - Paola Longoria (Mexico)
SILVER - Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
BRONZE - Rhonda Rajsich (USA) and Cheryl Gudinas (USA)
Women's Doubles
GOLD - Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
SILVER - Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
BRONZE - Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) and Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Total Medals by country
Mexico - 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
USA - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze
Canada - 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Chile - 1 Silver
Bolivia - 1 Bronze
Guatemala - 1 Bronze
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Mexicans sweep doubles finals at 16th IRF World Championships
Mexico swept the men's and women's doubles finals Tuesday at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
On the women's side, Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas successfully defended the title they won two years ago in Seoul, South Korea, as they defeated Chilean team of Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz, 15-5, 15-4, in the first World Championship women's doubles final without the American team.
Combined with her win in singles, Longoria became the first woman to be women's singles and doubles World Champion simultaneously.
On the men's side, Alberto Beltran and Javier Moreno defeated Americans Jansen Allen and Tony Carson, 15-4, 15-4, to win their second World doubles title together. The previous win came in 2006, which was also in Santo Domingo.
For the left-handed Moreno, the victory puts his career record in World Championship doubles finals at 3-3, as he'd be in the final five times previously dating back to 1998.
Wednesday is an off day at Worlds, which will resume on Thursday with a team competition that is a best of three matches: two singles and two doubles. That will finish on Saturday. Matches will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Doubles - Final
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA), 15-4, 15-4
Women's Doubles - Final
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-5, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
On the women's side, Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas successfully defended the title they won two years ago in Seoul, South Korea, as they defeated Chilean team of Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz, 15-5, 15-4, in the first World Championship women's doubles final without the American team.
Combined with her win in singles, Longoria became the first woman to be women's singles and doubles World Champion simultaneously.
On the men's side, Alberto Beltran and Javier Moreno defeated Americans Jansen Allen and Tony Carson, 15-4, 15-4, to win their second World doubles title together. The previous win came in 2006, which was also in Santo Domingo.
For the left-handed Moreno, the victory puts his career record in World Championship doubles finals at 3-3, as he'd be in the final five times previously dating back to 1998.
Wednesday is an off day at Worlds, which will resume on Thursday with a team competition that is a best of three matches: two singles and two doubles. That will finish on Saturday. Matches will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Doubles - Final
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA), 15-4, 15-4
Women's Doubles - Final
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-5, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
Carson & Longoria IRF World Champions
American Rocky Carson became the second man to win three International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships by defeating Polo Gutierrez of Mexico in the men's singles final of the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships on Monday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 15-6, 15-11.
It's Carson's third consecutive title tying him with fellow American Jack Huczek, who also won three consecutive titles in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
After winning game one comfortably, Carson found himself down 5-0 in game two, as Gutierrez took the early lead. But Carson fought back and tied the game at 7-7, serving almost exclusively drive Zs to the right-handed Gutierrez's backhand.
Carson then went ahead for the first time in the game, building an 11-7 lead. Gutierrez responded with a variety of serves and great pinch shots, and he cut the lead to two at 13-11, which raised the possibility of a tie-beaker.
But Carson quashed that possibility by holding Gutierrez at 11 and getting the last two points.
Asked about his game plan, Carson said he wanted to "make it physical, because I'm confident when it's like that. I wanted a faster pace, making my opponent move, keeping it fast."
Carson said "it's an honour," when asked about tying the record with Huczek, "because playing for your country is a great honour. And it means I've been successful doing it. I'm happy to give some pride to the country" in this way.
"It's not easy to be consistent all week," Carson added. But "I came here for one reason: to win again, and I felt confident all week."
Winning for the first time was Paola Longoria of Mexico who defeated Canadian Jennifer Saunders in the women's singles final, 15-11, 15-2.
They were close early in game one, and Saunders even led 5-4. However, Longoria got the lead back and ran the score to 14-6. Saunders didn't give up, though, and did close the gap to 14-11 before Longoria won game one.
But any momentum that Saunders might have gained by the late run in game one didn't transfer to game two, as Longoria quickly went out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back.
Longoria was in her first World Championship, but at only 23 and with two US Opens on her resumé and the #1 ranking on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, few would think this her last.
Wednesday is an off day at Worlds, which will resume on Thursday with a team competition that is a best of three matches: two singles and two doubles. That will finish on Saturday. Matches will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Final
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 15-6, 15-11
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-11, 15-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
It's Carson's third consecutive title tying him with fellow American Jack Huczek, who also won three consecutive titles in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
After winning game one comfortably, Carson found himself down 5-0 in game two, as Gutierrez took the early lead. But Carson fought back and tied the game at 7-7, serving almost exclusively drive Zs to the right-handed Gutierrez's backhand.
Carson then went ahead for the first time in the game, building an 11-7 lead. Gutierrez responded with a variety of serves and great pinch shots, and he cut the lead to two at 13-11, which raised the possibility of a tie-beaker.
But Carson quashed that possibility by holding Gutierrez at 11 and getting the last two points.
Asked about his game plan, Carson said he wanted to "make it physical, because I'm confident when it's like that. I wanted a faster pace, making my opponent move, keeping it fast."
Carson said "it's an honour," when asked about tying the record with Huczek, "because playing for your country is a great honour. And it means I've been successful doing it. I'm happy to give some pride to the country" in this way.
"It's not easy to be consistent all week," Carson added. But "I came here for one reason: to win again, and I felt confident all week."
Winning for the first time was Paola Longoria of Mexico who defeated Canadian Jennifer Saunders in the women's singles final, 15-11, 15-2.
They were close early in game one, and Saunders even led 5-4. However, Longoria got the lead back and ran the score to 14-6. Saunders didn't give up, though, and did close the gap to 14-11 before Longoria won game one.
But any momentum that Saunders might have gained by the late run in game one didn't transfer to game two, as Longoria quickly went out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back.
Longoria was in her first World Championship, but at only 23 and with two US Opens on her resumé and the #1 ranking on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, few would think this her last.
Wednesday is an off day at Worlds, which will resume on Thursday with a team competition that is a best of three matches: two singles and two doubles. That will finish on Saturday. Matches will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Final
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 15-6, 15-11
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-11, 15-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, August 6, 2012
Surprise finalists in Women's Doubles at 16th IRF World Championships
It'll be a historic women's doubles final on Tuesday at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as the American team of Rhonda Rajsich and Aimee Ruiz failed to make the final. It's the first time that an American team is not in the women's doubles final in IRF World Championship history.
They can't say they didn't have their chance though. But the Chilean team of Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz defeated the Americans 15-14, 2-15, 11-10. In the tie-breaker, it didn't seem like it would be that close, as the Chileans took a 9-1 lead.
Included in that lead was an incident at 3-1, when Grisar hit Rajsich on the left arm. The contact left a gash that Rajsich had to have taped up. Adding insult to injury, an avoidable was awarded to Chile as Rajsich appeared to be avoidably in the way of the shot. That made the score 4-1, and as play continued after Rajsich's injury time, she seemed to effected by it, missing a few shots that she might normally have made.
But at 9-1, the USA got a side out. And they proceeded to almost run the table. Almost.
But Chile stopped them at 10-9, and then scored the next two points. The first was on a skipped serve return by Rajsich as Muñoz hit a drive Z serve to her on the right side. Then in the next rally, it was Ruiz skipping a backhand shot she took off the back wall.
Game over. Match over. History made.
The win puts Chile in the women's doubles final for the second time ever. Their previous appearance was in 2006, when Grisar and Fabiola Marquez lost to Ruiz and Laura Fenton.
In men's doubles, the top two seeds will playoff on Tuesday, as Americans Jansen Allen and Tony Carson ended the Cinderella ride of the 13th seeded Guatemalans Edwin Galicia and Pedro Manolo Sandoval in the semi-finals, winning 15-8, 15-4. The Guatemalans didn't go down without a fight as they were tied with the Americans at 7-7 in the first game. However, they only got five more points the rest of the way.
Mexicans Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno will be Allen and Carson's opponents in the final, as the Mexicans defeated Bolivians Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller in the semi-finals, 15-2, 15-7.
Beltran and Moreno won the doubles title in 2006, when Worlds was last in Santo Domingo. They beat Americans Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek in that final. For the left handed Moreno, it's his fifth World Championship doubles final.
The women's doubles final is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 PM EDT with the men's final to follow with a scheduled time of 2:30 PM EDT. The matches will be live streamed via the IRF website. Wednesday will be an off day, and then the team competition will begin on Thursday and that will conclude Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-14, 2-15, 11-10
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-13, 15-7
Women's Doubles - Final
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) d. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-4
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia), 15-2, 15-7
Men's Doubles - Final
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
They can't say they didn't have their chance though. But the Chilean team of Angela Grisar and Carla Muñoz defeated the Americans 15-14, 2-15, 11-10. In the tie-breaker, it didn't seem like it would be that close, as the Chileans took a 9-1 lead.
Included in that lead was an incident at 3-1, when Grisar hit Rajsich on the left arm. The contact left a gash that Rajsich had to have taped up. Adding insult to injury, an avoidable was awarded to Chile as Rajsich appeared to be avoidably in the way of the shot. That made the score 4-1, and as play continued after Rajsich's injury time, she seemed to effected by it, missing a few shots that she might normally have made.
But at 9-1, the USA got a side out. And they proceeded to almost run the table. Almost.
But Chile stopped them at 10-9, and then scored the next two points. The first was on a skipped serve return by Rajsich as Muñoz hit a drive Z serve to her on the right side. Then in the next rally, it was Ruiz skipping a backhand shot she took off the back wall.
Game over. Match over. History made.
The win puts Chile in the women's doubles final for the second time ever. Their previous appearance was in 2006, when Grisar and Fabiola Marquez lost to Ruiz and Laura Fenton.
In men's doubles, the top two seeds will playoff on Tuesday, as Americans Jansen Allen and Tony Carson ended the Cinderella ride of the 13th seeded Guatemalans Edwin Galicia and Pedro Manolo Sandoval in the semi-finals, winning 15-8, 15-4. The Guatemalans didn't go down without a fight as they were tied with the Americans at 7-7 in the first game. However, they only got five more points the rest of the way.
Mexicans Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno will be Allen and Carson's opponents in the final, as the Mexicans defeated Bolivians Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller in the semi-finals, 15-2, 15-7.
Beltran and Moreno won the doubles title in 2006, when Worlds was last in Santo Domingo. They beat Americans Rocky Carson and Jack Huczek in that final. For the left handed Moreno, it's his fifth World Championship doubles final.
The women's doubles final is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 PM EDT with the men's final to follow with a scheduled time of 2:30 PM EDT. The matches will be live streamed via the IRF website. Wednesday will be an off day, and then the team competition will begin on Thursday and that will conclude Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-14, 2-15, 11-10
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-13, 15-7
Women's Doubles - Final
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) d. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-4
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia), 15-2, 15-7
Men's Doubles - Final
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria & Saunders in women's final at the 16th IRF World Championships
Paola Longoria of Mexico will have a chance to win the only title that's eluded her in her young career as she's in the final of the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She got there by beating rival and two time defending World Champion American Rhonda Rajsich, 15-2, 15-12.
It's Longoria's first Worlds final in women's singles, but her second overall as she was in the women's doubles final at the 2010 World Championships, which she won with partner Samantha Salas.
Longoria's opponent in the final has been there before, as Canadian Jennifer Saunders was in the 2002 final. In the semi-finals today, she defeated her finals opponent from 10 years ago, American Cheryl Gudinas, 6-15, 15-13, 11-5.
Longoria and Rajsich's first game went by in the blink of an eye, as Rajsich only managed to score two points. However, in game two Rajsich had the early lead at 7-2, and looked like she might force a tie-breaker.
However, Longoria came back and took the lead at 10-9. But Rajsich continued to battle and took the lead back at 12-10. But that was as many points as she could get, as Longoria scored the next five to take the game, 15-12, and match in two straight games.
Saunders, on the other hand, needed a tie-breaker after a poor first game to fend off the veteran Gudinas. Saunders called a timeout at 12-2 down in game one and managed to score more points the rest of that game than Gudinas, thereby getting a measure of momentum.
But in game two, Gudinas had the early lead at 6-3. However, Saunders having switched to using her usual kiss lob serve to the left side, which on today's court was all glass, held Gudinas at 6 while taking the lead 11-6.
She held the lead to 13-9, but Gudinas kept pecking away at it, eventual tying the game at 13-13. But Saunders stayed focussed and got the last two points she needed to force the tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Saunders scored first, but Gudinas got the serve and score two points to lead 2-1. That was the last time Gudinas led in the match, as Saunders scored the next three points to go up 4-2. Then she extended the lead to 7-3.
Gudinas closed the gap to 7-5, but that's as many as she got as Saunders finished it off 11-5.
Tuesday's final will be the second women's singles World Championship final without an American and the first since 2006, when Worlds was also in Santo Domingo. That year Canadian Christie Van Hees defeated Chilean Angela Grisar for the title. Saunders will be hoping history repeats itself tomorrow.
The women's final will be Tuesday at 10 AM EDT, and will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-2, 15-12
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 6-15, 15-13, 11-5
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
Follow the bouncing ball....
It's Longoria's first Worlds final in women's singles, but her second overall as she was in the women's doubles final at the 2010 World Championships, which she won with partner Samantha Salas.
Longoria's opponent in the final has been there before, as Canadian Jennifer Saunders was in the 2002 final. In the semi-finals today, she defeated her finals opponent from 10 years ago, American Cheryl Gudinas, 6-15, 15-13, 11-5.
Longoria and Rajsich's first game went by in the blink of an eye, as Rajsich only managed to score two points. However, in game two Rajsich had the early lead at 7-2, and looked like she might force a tie-breaker.
However, Longoria came back and took the lead at 10-9. But Rajsich continued to battle and took the lead back at 12-10. But that was as many points as she could get, as Longoria scored the next five to take the game, 15-12, and match in two straight games.
Saunders, on the other hand, needed a tie-breaker after a poor first game to fend off the veteran Gudinas. Saunders called a timeout at 12-2 down in game one and managed to score more points the rest of that game than Gudinas, thereby getting a measure of momentum.
But in game two, Gudinas had the early lead at 6-3. However, Saunders having switched to using her usual kiss lob serve to the left side, which on today's court was all glass, held Gudinas at 6 while taking the lead 11-6.
She held the lead to 13-9, but Gudinas kept pecking away at it, eventual tying the game at 13-13. But Saunders stayed focussed and got the last two points she needed to force the tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Saunders scored first, but Gudinas got the serve and score two points to lead 2-1. That was the last time Gudinas led in the match, as Saunders scored the next three points to go up 4-2. Then she extended the lead to 7-3.
Gudinas closed the gap to 7-5, but that's as many as she got as Saunders finished it off 11-5.
Tuesday's final will be the second women's singles World Championship final without an American and the first since 2006, when Worlds was also in Santo Domingo. That year Canadian Christie Van Hees defeated Chilean Angela Grisar for the title. Saunders will be hoping history repeats itself tomorrow.
The women's final will be Tuesday at 10 AM EDT, and will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-2, 15-12
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Cheryl Gudinas (USA), 6-15, 15-13, 11-5
Women's Singles - Final
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Carson & Gutierrez to face off in men's final at 16th IRF World Championships
American Rocky Carson will have a chance to defend his World Championship title on Tuesday after winning his semi-final match against Gilberto Mejia of Mexico at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships on Monday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Carson won in two straight games, 15-8, 15-5, and will face another Mexican in the final: Polo Gutierrez.
Gutierrez defeated Carson's team-mate Jose Rojas in the other semi-final, 10-15, 15-12, 11-6. Rojas dodged a bullet in the quarter finals, when pulled out an 11-10 victory over Shai Manzuri of Argentina, but could not repeat the feat against Gutierrez, who has a stellar record in tie-breakers on the men's pro tour (International Racquetball Tour - IRT).
Carson's in his fourth Worlds final, and has won the last two, giving him a winning final record. However, his loss was to a Mexican player, and he'll face another Mexican tomorrow.
In 2000, Carson lost to Alvaro Beltran and defeated American Jack Huczek in 2008 and 2010.
The final is a battle between the #1 and #2 seeds, Carson and Gutierrez, respectively.
The men's final is scheduled for 11 AM (EDT) Tuesday and will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Gilberto Meija (Mexico), 15-8, 15-5
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Jose Rojas (USA), 10-15, 15-12, 11-6
Men's Singles - Final
Rocky Carson (USA) v. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Gutierrez defeated Carson's team-mate Jose Rojas in the other semi-final, 10-15, 15-12, 11-6. Rojas dodged a bullet in the quarter finals, when pulled out an 11-10 victory over Shai Manzuri of Argentina, but could not repeat the feat against Gutierrez, who has a stellar record in tie-breakers on the men's pro tour (International Racquetball Tour - IRT).
Carson's in his fourth Worlds final, and has won the last two, giving him a winning final record. However, his loss was to a Mexican player, and he'll face another Mexican tomorrow.
In 2000, Carson lost to Alvaro Beltran and defeated American Jack Huczek in 2008 and 2010.
The final is a battle between the #1 and #2 seeds, Carson and Gutierrez, respectively.
The men's final is scheduled for 11 AM (EDT) Tuesday and will be live streamed via the IRF website.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Gilberto Meija (Mexico), 15-8, 15-5
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Jose Rojas (USA), 10-15, 15-12, 11-6
Men's Singles - Final
Rocky Carson (USA) v. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, August 5, 2012
16th IRF World Championships - Day 2 Results
Play continued Sunday at the 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships began Saturday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and on the singles side things have worked out as expected but there have been some surprising results in doubles.
But singles first, and top seed and two time defending champion Rocky Carson (USA) is into the semis with wins over Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-8, and Agustin Tristan (Catalunya), 15-5, 15-4, in the quarter finals. Carson will face Mexican Gilberto Mejia in the semis on Monday.
The other semi will also be a USA-Mexico showdown, as second seed Polo Gutierrez of Mexico will be up against American Jose Rojas.
On the women's side, the other two time defending champ American Rhonda Rajsich will face her current rival Paola Longoria of Mexico in the semis Monday, and the other women's semi will be between American Cheryl Gudinas and Canadian Jennifer Saunders of Canada, who prevented another Mexican-American stand-off by defeating Jessica Parrilla of Mexico in the quater-finals, 15-6, 15-9.
It's men's doubles where things got interesting on Sunday, as one of the quarter finals was between the Guatemalan team of Edwin Galicia and Pedro Manolo Sandoval and the Dominican Republic team of Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez with the 13th seeded Guatemalans coming out on top in two straight games. They'll face Americans Jansen Allen and Tony Carson (USA) in the semis.
On the other side of the draw, there was an unfortunate ending to what might have been the match of the day as the Ecuadoran team of Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Alvarez were in a tie-breaker with former World Champions Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno of Mexico when Alvarez when down with a knee injury. After being down for several minutes on the court, it was determined that Alvarez could not continue, giving the Mexican veterans the victory.
They'll face Bolivians Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller in the semi-finals Monday as Monroy and Keller defeated the Canadian team of Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon, 15-10, 15-11.
Matches begin at 9 AM on Monday with the women's semi-finals, and it'll be live streamed via the IRF website. The men's and women's singles and doubles competitions will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-8
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-13
Kris Odegard (Canada) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 8-15, 15-10, 11-4
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-7
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Juan Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-10
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Luis Reveron (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-13
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Tim Landeryou (Canada), 15-13, 15-4
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica), 15-1, 15-2
Men's Singles - Quarter finals
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Agustin Tristan (Catalunya), 15-5, 15-4
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) d. Kris Odegard (Canada), 15-4, 15-8
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-5, 7-15, 11-10
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Rocky Carson (USA) v. Gilberto Meija (Mexico)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas (USA)
Men's Doubles - Quarter finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) d. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-5, 15-6
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-9, 15-6
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada), 15-10, 15-11
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 15-12, 14-15, 11-9
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-4
Angela Grisar (Chile) d. Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan), 15-6, 11-15, 11-6
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia), 15-9, 15-3
Jung Eun Anh (South Korea) d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada), 15-5, 13-15, 11-6
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-12
Naomi Wikimoto (Japan) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-14, 15-3
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-14
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Melanie Sauma Masis (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-2
Women's Singles - Quarter finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Angela Grisar (Chile), 15-2, 15-1
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Jung Eun Anh (South Korea), 15-1, 15-4
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Naomi Wikimoto (Japan), 15-4, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 15-6, 15-9
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Paola Longoria (Mexico)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Cheryl Gudinas (USA)
Women's Doubles - Quarter finals
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-7
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan), 15-9, 15-11
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-9
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea), 15-3, 15-8
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) v. Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Follow the bouncing ball....
But singles first, and top seed and two time defending champion Rocky Carson (USA) is into the semis with wins over Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-8, and Agustin Tristan (Catalunya), 15-5, 15-4, in the quarter finals. Carson will face Mexican Gilberto Mejia in the semis on Monday.
The other semi will also be a USA-Mexico showdown, as second seed Polo Gutierrez of Mexico will be up against American Jose Rojas.
On the women's side, the other two time defending champ American Rhonda Rajsich will face her current rival Paola Longoria of Mexico in the semis Monday, and the other women's semi will be between American Cheryl Gudinas and Canadian Jennifer Saunders of Canada, who prevented another Mexican-American stand-off by defeating Jessica Parrilla of Mexico in the quater-finals, 15-6, 15-9.
It's men's doubles where things got interesting on Sunday, as one of the quarter finals was between the Guatemalan team of Edwin Galicia and Pedro Manolo Sandoval and the Dominican Republic team of Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez with the 13th seeded Guatemalans coming out on top in two straight games. They'll face Americans Jansen Allen and Tony Carson (USA) in the semis.
On the other side of the draw, there was an unfortunate ending to what might have been the match of the day as the Ecuadoran team of Fernando Rios and Jose Daniel Alvarez were in a tie-breaker with former World Champions Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno of Mexico when Alvarez when down with a knee injury. After being down for several minutes on the court, it was determined that Alvarez could not continue, giving the Mexican veterans the victory.
They'll face Bolivians Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller in the semi-finals Monday as Monroy and Keller defeated the Canadian team of Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon, 15-10, 15-11.
Matches begin at 9 AM on Monday with the women's semi-finals, and it'll be live streamed via the IRF website. The men's and women's singles and doubles competitions will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-8
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-13
Kris Odegard (Canada) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 8-15, 15-10, 11-4
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-7
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Juan Herrera (Colombia), 15-5, 15-10
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Luis Reveron (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-13
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Tim Landeryou (Canada), 15-13, 15-4
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica), 15-1, 15-2
Men's Singles - Quarter finals
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Agustin Tristan (Catalunya), 15-5, 15-4
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) d. Kris Odegard (Canada), 15-4, 15-8
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-5, 7-15, 11-10
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Rocky Carson (USA) v. Gilberto Meija (Mexico)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas (USA)
Men's Doubles - Quarter finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) d. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-5, 15-6
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-9, 15-6
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada), 15-10, 15-11
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 15-12, 14-15, 11-9
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-4
Angela Grisar (Chile) d. Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan), 15-6, 11-15, 11-6
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia), 15-9, 15-3
Jung Eun Anh (South Korea) d. Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada), 15-5, 13-15, 11-6
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-12
Naomi Wikimoto (Japan) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-14, 15-3
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-14
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Melanie Sauma Masis (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-2
Women's Singles - Quarter finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Angela Grisar (Chile), 15-2, 15-1
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Jung Eun Anh (South Korea), 15-1, 15-4
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Naomi Wikimoto (Japan), 15-4, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Jessica Parrilla (Mexico), 15-6, 15-9
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Paola Longoria (Mexico)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Cheryl Gudinas (USA)
Women's Doubles - Quarter finals
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-7
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan), 15-9, 15-11
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-9
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea), 15-3, 15-8
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) v. Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, August 4, 2012
16th IRF World Championships - Women's Results Day 1
The 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships began Saturday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and there are no big upsets on the women's side so far, and few surprises. Top seed American Rhonda Rajsich, who seeking her 3rd consecutive World Championship, won easily against Diana Maura (Panama), 15-1, 15-0. So did second seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada, a 15-3, 15-2 winner against Giulia Barboni of Panama.
Also winning were Mexican Paola Longoria, beating Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-0, and Cheryl Gudinas of the USA, who Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-1, 15-2.
Perhaps the only surprise was Cristina Amaya of Colombia losing to Japan's Toshiko Sakamoto, 15-14, 8-15, 11-5, as Amaya was the 8th ranked player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization last season.
Play continues Sunday and there is live streaming of the event via the IRF website. The men's and women's singles and doubles competitions will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Diana Maura (Panama), 15-1, 15-0
Cristina Cordova (Ecuador) d. Mariana Paredes (Venezuela), 15-13, 15-8
Angela Grisar (Chile) d. Maria Rene Roriguez (Guatemala), 15-4, 15-0
Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-14, 8-15, 11-5
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-0
Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic), 15-14, 15-6
Jung Eun Ane (South Korea) d. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-11
Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada) d. Véronique Guillemette (Argentina), 11-5, 15-11, 11-8
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-1, 15-2
Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-7
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Marie Gomar (Guatemala), 15-13, 15-2
Naomi Wikimoto (Japan) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-11, 15-10
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. Anna Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-6
Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Yira Portes (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-3
Melanie Sauma Masis (Costa Rica) d. Malhee Kwon (South Korea), 15-13, 15-7
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-3, 15-2
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador)
Angela Grisar (Chile) v. Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan)
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada) v. Jung Eun Anh (South Korea)
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Naomi Wikimoto (Japan)
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Melanie Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
Women's Singles - Round of 64
Diana Maura (Panama) d. Rebeca Tristan (Catalunya), 15-2, 15-3
Giulia Barboni (Panama) d. Natalia Corti (Argentina), 15-2, 15-8
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Dian Maura & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-2, 15-0
Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Paredes & Vivianna Reveron (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-9
Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan) d. Maria Montaro & Delgado Marinangely (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-1
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Anna Maldonado & Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-1
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Véronique Guillemette & Natalie Corti (Argentina), 15-5, 15-0
Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Naomi Sasso Kessler & Deborah Kessler Payne (Costa Rica), 15-3, 15-1
Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 10-15, 15-14, 11-7
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-3, 15-2
Women's Doubles - Quarter finals
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan)
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) v. Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Also winning were Mexican Paola Longoria, beating Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-0, and Cheryl Gudinas of the USA, who Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-1, 15-2.
Perhaps the only surprise was Cristina Amaya of Colombia losing to Japan's Toshiko Sakamoto, 15-14, 8-15, 11-5, as Amaya was the 8th ranked player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization last season.
Play continues Sunday and there is live streaming of the event via the IRF website. The men's and women's singles and doubles competitions will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Diana Maura (Panama), 15-1, 15-0
Cristina Cordova (Ecuador) d. Mariana Paredes (Venezuela), 15-13, 15-8
Angela Grisar (Chile) d. Maria Rene Roriguez (Guatemala), 15-4, 15-0
Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-14, 8-15, 11-5
Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-0
Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic), 15-14, 15-6
Jung Eun Ane (South Korea) d. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-11
Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada) d. Véronique Guillemette (Argentina), 11-5, 15-11, 11-8
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) d. Pamela Sierra (Honduras), 15-1, 15-2
Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-7
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Marie Gomar (Guatemala), 15-13, 15-2
Naomi Wikimoto (Japan) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-11, 15-10
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) d. Anna Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-6
Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Yira Portes (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-3
Melanie Sauma Masis (Costa Rica) d. Malhee Kwon (South Korea), 15-13, 15-7
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-3, 15-2
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador)
Angela Grisar (Chile) v. Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan)
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada) v. Jung Eun Anh (South Korea)
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Naomi Wikimoto (Japan)
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Melanie Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
Women's Singles - Round of 64
Diana Maura (Panama) d. Rebeca Tristan (Catalunya), 15-2, 15-3
Giulia Barboni (Panama) d. Natalia Corti (Argentina), 15-2, 15-8
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Dian Maura & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-2, 15-0
Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Paredes & Vivianna Reveron (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-9
Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan) d. Maria Montaro & Delgado Marinangely (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-1
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Anna Maldonado & Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-1
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Véronique Guillemette & Natalie Corti (Argentina), 15-5, 15-0
Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Naomi Sasso Kessler & Deborah Kessler Payne (Costa Rica), 15-3, 15-1
Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 10-15, 15-14, 11-7
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-3, 15-2
Women's Doubles - Quarter finals
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan)
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) v. Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea)
Follow the bouncing ball....
16th IRF World Championships - Men's Results Day 1
The 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships began Saturday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and there are no big upsets on the men's side so far, although some results have been surprising.
Unsurprisingly, American Rocky Carson - the two time defending champion - is through to the Round of 16 with a comfortable victory over Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-3. Second seed Polo Gutierrez of Mexico didn't give up any points in his match against Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), winning 15-0, 15-0.
Similarly in doubles, top seeds Jansen Allen and Tony Carson (USA) beat Miguel Santiago and Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-5, while second seeds Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno (Mexico) defeated Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras), 15-7, 15-6.
Match of the day goes to Ramon De Leon and Junior Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic who defeated Japanese veterans Hiroshi Shimizu and Michimune Kono, 4-15, 15-14, 11-10. The Dominicans had a comfortable lead in game two, up 13-5, but the Japanese fought back and tied it at 14-14. It looked like they might win two straight, but the young Dominican team managed for finish off game two and then pulled out the tie-breaker by the same one point margin.
Play continues Sunday and there is live streaming of the event via the IRF website. The men's and women's singles and doubles competitions will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-3
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Daeyong Kwon (South Korea), 15-10, 15-8
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Ricardo Delgado (Panama), 15-14, 7-15, 11-8
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) d. Takaaki Hirose (Japan), 15-5, 15-3
Kris Odegard (Canada) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-6, 15-8
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-2
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-13, 15-8
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) d. Santiago Ugalde (Argentina), 15-4, 15-11
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-6, 15-12
Juan Herrera (Colombia) d. Mingyu Kim (South Korea), 15-8, 15-6
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) d. Stephen O'Loan (Ireland), 15-0, 15-2
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Michimune Kono (Japan), 15-8, 15-7
Tim Landeryou (Canada) d. Santiago Canedo (Chile), 14-15, 15-1, 11-6
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-7, 13-15, 11-1
Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-11, 15-6
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-0
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Rocky Carson (USA) v. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) v. Agustin Tristan (Catalunya)
Kris Odegard (Canada) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) v. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica)
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Juan Herrera (Colombia)
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) v. Shai Manzuri (Argentina)
Tim Landeryou (Canada) v. Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica)
Men's Singles - Round of 64
Rocky Carson (USA) BYE
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Ashish Mehta (India), 15-7, 15-4
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daeyong Kwon (South Korea) BYE
Cesar Castro (Venezuela) BYE
Ricardo Delgado (Panama) d. Gary Lynch (Ireland), 15-3, 15-8
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) d. David Matamoros (Honduras), 15-8, 15-2
Takaaki Hirose (Japan) BYE
Kris Odegard (Canada) BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Ernesto Centeno (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-0
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) BYE
Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) BYE
Santiago Ugalde (Argentina) d. Miguel Santiago (Puerto Rico), 15-11, 15-13
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) BYE
Jose Rojas (USA) BYE
Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Luciano Garcia (Nicaragua), 15-14, 15-13
Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Mingyu Kim (South Korea) BYE
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) BYE
Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Ronaldo Bier (Honduras), 15-5, 15-6
Michimune Kono (Japan) BYE
Tim Landeryou (Canada) BYE
Santiago Canedo (Chile) d. Timothy Baghurst (England), 15-5, 15-7
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Cesar Dominguez (Panama), 15-3, 15-5
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) BYE
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica) BYE
Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) d. Venkat Vejju (India), 14-15, 15-10, 11-10
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) d. Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-5
Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-8, 15-14
Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) d. Hiroshi Shimizu & Michimune Kono (Japan), 4-15, 15-14, 11-10
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Luis Reveron & Roberto Santander (Venezuela), 8-15, 15-11, 11-9
Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-11, 15-0
Sangsoo Lee & Eunbyung Kim (South Korea) d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-0
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador) d. Andres Acuña & Ivan Villegas (Costa Rica), 15-14, 15-14
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras), 15-7, 15-6
Men's Doubles - Quarter finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) v. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Sangsoo Lee & Eunbyung Kim (South Korea)
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Men's Doubles - Round of 32
Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) d. Nirup Shetty & Sathwik Rai (India), 15-9, 11-15, 11-1
Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Ricardo Delgado & Cesar Dominguez (Panama), 15-3, 15-3
Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras) d. Gary Lynch & Stephen O'Loan (Ireland), 15-6, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Unsurprisingly, American Rocky Carson - the two time defending champion - is through to the Round of 16 with a comfortable victory over Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-3. Second seed Polo Gutierrez of Mexico didn't give up any points in his match against Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), winning 15-0, 15-0.
Similarly in doubles, top seeds Jansen Allen and Tony Carson (USA) beat Miguel Santiago and Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-5, while second seeds Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno (Mexico) defeated Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras), 15-7, 15-6.
Match of the day goes to Ramon De Leon and Junior Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic who defeated Japanese veterans Hiroshi Shimizu and Michimune Kono, 4-15, 15-14, 11-10. The Dominicans had a comfortable lead in game two, up 13-5, but the Japanese fought back and tied it at 14-14. It looked like they might win two straight, but the young Dominican team managed for finish off game two and then pulled out the tie-breaker by the same one point margin.
Play continues Sunday and there is live streaming of the event via the IRF website. The men's and women's singles and doubles competitions will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Rocky Carson (USA) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-3
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Daeyong Kwon (South Korea), 15-10, 15-8
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Ricardo Delgado (Panama), 15-14, 7-15, 11-8
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) d. Takaaki Hirose (Japan), 15-5, 15-3
Kris Odegard (Canada) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-6, 15-8
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-2
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-13, 15-8
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) d. Santiago Ugalde (Argentina), 15-4, 15-11
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-6, 15-12
Juan Herrera (Colombia) d. Mingyu Kim (South Korea), 15-8, 15-6
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) d. Stephen O'Loan (Ireland), 15-0, 15-2
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Michimune Kono (Japan), 15-8, 15-7
Tim Landeryou (Canada) d. Santiago Canedo (Chile), 14-15, 15-1, 11-6
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-7, 13-15, 11-1
Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-11, 15-6
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-0
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Rocky Carson (USA) v. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) v. Agustin Tristan (Catalunya)
Kris Odegard (Canada) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) v. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica)
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Juan Herrera (Colombia)
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) v. Shai Manzuri (Argentina)
Tim Landeryou (Canada) v. Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica)
Men's Singles - Round of 64
Rocky Carson (USA) BYE
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Ashish Mehta (India), 15-7, 15-4
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daeyong Kwon (South Korea) BYE
Cesar Castro (Venezuela) BYE
Ricardo Delgado (Panama) d. Gary Lynch (Ireland), 15-3, 15-8
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) d. David Matamoros (Honduras), 15-8, 15-2
Takaaki Hirose (Japan) BYE
Kris Odegard (Canada) BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Ernesto Centeno (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-0
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) BYE
Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) BYE
Santiago Ugalde (Argentina) d. Miguel Santiago (Puerto Rico), 15-11, 15-13
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) BYE
Jose Rojas (USA) BYE
Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Luciano Garcia (Nicaragua), 15-14, 15-13
Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Mingyu Kim (South Korea) BYE
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) BYE
Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Ronaldo Bier (Honduras), 15-5, 15-6
Michimune Kono (Japan) BYE
Tim Landeryou (Canada) BYE
Santiago Canedo (Chile) d. Timothy Baghurst (England), 15-5, 15-7
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Cesar Dominguez (Panama), 15-3, 15-5
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) BYE
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica) BYE
Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) d. Venkat Vejju (India), 14-15, 15-10, 11-10
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) d. Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-5
Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-8, 15-14
Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) d. Hiroshi Shimizu & Michimune Kono (Japan), 4-15, 15-14, 11-10
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Luis Reveron & Roberto Santander (Venezuela), 8-15, 15-11, 11-9
Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-11, 15-0
Sangsoo Lee & Eunbyung Kim (South Korea) d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-0
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador) d. Andres Acuña & Ivan Villegas (Costa Rica), 15-14, 15-14
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) d. Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras), 15-7, 15-6
Men's Doubles - Quarter finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) v. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Sangsoo Lee & Eunbyung Kim (South Korea)
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Men's Doubles - Round of 32
Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) d. Nirup Shetty & Sathwik Rai (India), 15-9, 11-15, 11-1
Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Ricardo Delgado & Cesar Dominguez (Panama), 15-3, 15-3
Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras) d. Gary Lynch & Stephen O'Loan (Ireland), 15-6, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, August 3, 2012
16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships
The 16th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships begin Saturday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and we've got the draws for you below. Americans Rocky Carson and Rhonda Rajsich are trying for their 3rd World Championships in a row. Carson's draw looks fine, but Rajsich has her rival Paola Longoria of Mexico on her side of the draw, as Longoria is seeded 5th in the event despite being the #1 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization last season.
But pro results don't count here, as the seeding were done based on results from two of the last three World Championships, and two years ago in Seoul, South Korea Rajsich defeated Longoria in the semi-finals. Longoria's never gotten past the semis at Worlds.
The other tough draw is in men's doubles as Canada and Mexico are on the same side of the draw and have their highest ranked players playing doubles. Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon are #1 and #2 in Canada and Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno are the highest ranked Mexicans on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). They will potentially meet in the semi-finals.
Waselenchuk is out
Of note, Kim Waselenchuk is not in Santo Domingo. Asked why, US Team Leader Lori Kirk stated a "health issue" prevented Waselenchuk from playing. Aimee Ruiz has been called in to replace Waselenchuk and will play doubles with Rajsich.
World Games Qualifying
This event is the qualifying event for the 2013 World Games to be held in Cali, Colombia. Thus, players will playoff down to the final 16 to determine the World Games participants and seedings. Only the players here can qualify for World Games, so if a player who qualifies does not go to Cali, that player will not be substituted for. The qualifying spot goes to the player not the player's country.
There will be live streaming of the event via the IRF website. Play begins Saturday with the men's and women's singles and doubles competitions, which will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Rocky Carson (USA) BYE
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) v. Ashish Mehta (India)
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daeyong Kwon (South Korea) BYE
Cesar Castro (Venezuela) BYE
Ricardo Delgado (Panama) v. Gary Lynch (Ireland)
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) v. David Matamoros (Honduras)
Takaaki Hirose (Japan) BYE
Kris Odegard (Canada) BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Ernesto Centeno (Nicaragua)
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) BYE
Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) BYE
Santiago Ugalde (Argentina) v. Miguel Santiago (Puerto Rico)
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) BYE
Jose Rojas (USA) BYE
Christian Wer (Guatemala) v. Luciano Garcia (Nicaragua)
Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Mingyu Kim (South Korea) BYE
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) BYE
Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) v. Ronaldo Bier (Honduras)
Michimune Kono (Japan) BYE
Tim Landeryou (Canada) BYE
Santiago Canedo (Chile) v. Timothy Baghurst (England)
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Cesar Dominguez (Panama)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) BYE
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica) BYE
Venkat Vejju (India) v. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Rebeca Tristan (Catalunya) v. Diana Maura (Panama)
Natalia Corti (Argentina) v. Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. either Rebeca Tristan (Catalunya) or Diana Maura (Panama)
Mariana Paredes (Venezuela) v. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador)
Angela Grisar (Chile) v. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan)
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico)
Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) v. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic)
Jung Eun Anh (South Korea) v. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica)
Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada) v. Veronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. Pamela Sierra (Honduras)
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) v. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Marie Gomar (Guatemala)
Carolina Gomez (Colombia) v. Naomi Wikimoto (Japan)
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) v. Anna Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Yira Portes (Dominican Republic) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Malhee Kwon (South Korea) v. Melani Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. either Natalia Corti (Argentina) or Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) v. Nirup Shetty & Sathwik Rai (India)
Ricardo Delgado & Cesar Dominguez (Panama) v. Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Gary Lynch & Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) v. Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras)
Men's Doubles - Quarter finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. either Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) or Nirup Shetty & Sathwik Rai (India)
Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Hiroshi Shimizu & Michimune Kono (JPN) v. Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) v. Luis Reveron & Roberto Santander (Venezuela)
Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. either Ricardo Delgado & Cesar Dominguez (Panama) or Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Sangsoo Lee & Eunbyung Kim (South Korea) v. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Andres Acuña & Ivan Villegas (Costa Rica) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. either Gary Lynch & Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) or Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Dian Maura & Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) v. Mariana Paredes & Vivianna Reveron (Venezuela)
Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan) v. Maria Montaro & Delgado Marinangely (Dominican Republic)
Anna Maldonado & Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Véronique Guillemette & Natalie Corti (Argentina)
Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Naomi Sasso Kessler & Deborah Kessler Payne (Costa Rica)
Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) vs Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
But pro results don't count here, as the seeding were done based on results from two of the last three World Championships, and two years ago in Seoul, South Korea Rajsich defeated Longoria in the semi-finals. Longoria's never gotten past the semis at Worlds.
The other tough draw is in men's doubles as Canada and Mexico are on the same side of the draw and have their highest ranked players playing doubles. Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon are #1 and #2 in Canada and Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno are the highest ranked Mexicans on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). They will potentially meet in the semi-finals.
Waselenchuk is out
Of note, Kim Waselenchuk is not in Santo Domingo. Asked why, US Team Leader Lori Kirk stated a "health issue" prevented Waselenchuk from playing. Aimee Ruiz has been called in to replace Waselenchuk and will play doubles with Rajsich.
World Games Qualifying
This event is the qualifying event for the 2013 World Games to be held in Cali, Colombia. Thus, players will playoff down to the final 16 to determine the World Games participants and seedings. Only the players here can qualify for World Games, so if a player who qualifies does not go to Cali, that player will not be substituted for. The qualifying spot goes to the player not the player's country.
There will be live streaming of the event via the IRF website. Play begins Saturday with the men's and women's singles and doubles competitions, which will conclude on Tuesday. Then there will be an off day before the team competition begins on Thursday and that will conclude next Saturday.
16th IRF World Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Rocky Carson (USA) BYE
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) v. Ashish Mehta (India)
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Daeyong Kwon (South Korea) BYE
Cesar Castro (Venezuela) BYE
Ricardo Delgado (Panama) v. Gary Lynch (Ireland)
Agustin Tristan (Catalunya) v. David Matamoros (Honduras)
Takaaki Hirose (Japan) BYE
Kris Odegard (Canada) BYE
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Ernesto Centeno (Nicaragua)
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) BYE
Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) BYE
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) BYE
Santiago Ugalde (Argentina) v. Miguel Santiago (Puerto Rico)
Gilberto Meija (Mexico) BYE
Jose Rojas (USA) BYE
Christian Wer (Guatemala) v. Luciano Garcia (Nicaragua)
Juan Herrera (Colombia) BYE
Mingyu Kim (South Korea) BYE
Luis Reveron (Venezuela) BYE
Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) v. Ronaldo Bier (Honduras)
Michimune Kono (Japan) BYE
Tim Landeryou (Canada) BYE
Santiago Canedo (Chile) v. Timothy Baghurst (England)
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Cesar Dominguez (Panama)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) BYE
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) BYE
Taobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica) BYE
Venkat Vejju (India) v. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Rebeca Tristan (Catalunya) v. Diana Maura (Panama)
Natalia Corti (Argentina) v. Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. either Rebeca Tristan (Catalunya) or Diana Maura (Panama)
Mariana Paredes (Venezuela) v. Cristina Cordova (Ecuador)
Angela Grisar (Chile) v. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Toshiko Sakamoto (Japan)
Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico)
Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) v. Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic)
Jung Eun Anh (South Korea) v. Sofia Soley Saborio (Costa Rica)
Brandi Jacobson Prentice (Canada) v. Veronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Cheryl Gudinas (USA) v. Pamela Sierra (Honduras)
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) v. Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Marie Gomar (Guatemala)
Carolina Gomez (Colombia) v. Naomi Wikimoto (Japan)
Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) v. Anna Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Yira Portes (Dominican Republic) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Malhee Kwon (South Korea) v. Melani Sauma Masis (Costa Rica)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. either Natalia Corti (Argentina) or Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) v. Nirup Shetty & Sathwik Rai (India)
Ricardo Delgado & Cesar Dominguez (Panama) v. Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Gary Lynch & Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) v. Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras)
Men's Doubles - Quarter finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson (USA) v. either Miguel Santiago & Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) or Nirup Shetty & Sathwik Rai (India)
Santiago Canedo & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Hiroshi Shimizu & Michimune Kono (JPN) v. Ramon De Leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) v. Luis Reveron & Roberto Santander (Venezuela)
Mike Green & Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. either Ricardo Delgado & Cesar Dominguez (Panama) or Alejandro Herrera & Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Sangsoo Lee & Eunbyung Kim (South Korea) v. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Andres Acuña & Ivan Villegas (Costa Rica) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mexico) v. either Gary Lynch & Stephen O'Loan (Ireland) or Rolando Bier & David Matamoros (Honduras)
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Aimee Ruiz & Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Dian Maura & Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador) v. Mariana Paredes & Vivianna Reveron (Venezuela)
Maiko Satoh & Etsuko Noda (Japan) v. Maria Montaro & Delgado Marinangely (Dominican Republic)
Anna Maldonado & Lisa Lopezcepero (Puerto Rico) v. Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Josée Grand'Maître & Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Véronique Guillemette & Natalie Corti (Argentina)
Carola Loma & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Naomi Sasso Kessler & Deborah Kessler Payne (Costa Rica)
Malhee Kwon & Mi Ok An (South Korea) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis (MEX) vs Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, August 2, 2012
How tournament format can influence fair play
This week at the Olympics in London, four teams of badminton players in the women's doubles event were disqualified from the competition for losing intentionally for the purpose of gaining a better seeding in the elimination round. Some have suggested this taints badminton, but it's not the sport that's the problem; it's the tournament format.
Badminton was using a format that several sports at the Olympics are using and that has been used in international racquetball competitions. They had an initial preliminary round of competition that was then used to seed teams for an elimination round. This is a reasonable way of setting up a tournament when you aren't sure of what the seeding should be, as the preliminary round will give you an idea of how the players compare to each other.
The problem lies in how you use the preliminary round results for the elimination round. In the case of badminton at the Olympics this year, they had one option mapped out. If you finished 1st or 2nd in your preliminary group, then you qualified for the elimination (medal) round, and you knew where you would be in the elimination draw.
In such a system, people's natural competitiveness may come through and they may think finishing 2nd in a group is better than 1st if it means they avoid playing what they feel is a weaker team. Or and this also came into play in the badminton competition, if a country has two teams in the competition (as some countries did), then the country would likely prefer to have its teams on opposite sides of the draw so that they could not meet until the final. No one wants to play their team-mates in, say, the quarter finals.
Could this happen in other sports? Yes, and it has. International soccer (football) competitions use a group stage and then an elimination stage at most of their competitions, but they now have the final group stage games played simultaneously so that the team's do not the know the results of the other game, which will effect their final group position and qualifying for the elimination (knockout) stage.
They made this change after a match in the European Championships some years ago where the two teams played their last group stage match to a result that they knew would have them both qualify for the elimination round, as the results of the other final match in their group were known because it had been played much earlier.
As in the London Olympic's badminton competition, the paying public could see what was going on and voiced their displeasure at it.
Could this happen in racquetball? There have been suggestions that it has happened in international racquetball competitions. Most recently, there were rumours that countries at last year's Junior World Racquetball Championships were trying to 'manage' their last group stage matches to gain a more favourable elimination round draw.
However, what the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) did was to introduce some uncertainty into the draw process. What they did was to say that the group match results would produce the elimination round under either conditions A or B. The top seeds were the same in each case, but for everyone else there was some uncertainty as to whether you would end up on the top or bottom of the draw.
Which format was used was not determined until after all the group stage matches were complete. At that point, a representative from each country was called upon to witness the random process that determined whether A or B was the format to be used for each division. Thus, no one knew ahead of time with 100% certainty where they would end up in the elimination round.
If such a process had been used by badminton in London, then the likelihood of having the gamesmanship of intentionally losing would have been reduced if not completely eliminated.
Sporting events are inherently competitive, and it should surprise no one if people's competitive nature leads them to try to take full advantage of the rules of play in their attempt to win. Event organizers should design their events with that mind, and create a format or schedule in which losing a match is not an effective way to gain an advantage in the event.
Because losing should never help you win.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Badminton was using a format that several sports at the Olympics are using and that has been used in international racquetball competitions. They had an initial preliminary round of competition that was then used to seed teams for an elimination round. This is a reasonable way of setting up a tournament when you aren't sure of what the seeding should be, as the preliminary round will give you an idea of how the players compare to each other.
The problem lies in how you use the preliminary round results for the elimination round. In the case of badminton at the Olympics this year, they had one option mapped out. If you finished 1st or 2nd in your preliminary group, then you qualified for the elimination (medal) round, and you knew where you would be in the elimination draw.
In such a system, people's natural competitiveness may come through and they may think finishing 2nd in a group is better than 1st if it means they avoid playing what they feel is a weaker team. Or and this also came into play in the badminton competition, if a country has two teams in the competition (as some countries did), then the country would likely prefer to have its teams on opposite sides of the draw so that they could not meet until the final. No one wants to play their team-mates in, say, the quarter finals.
Could this happen in other sports? Yes, and it has. International soccer (football) competitions use a group stage and then an elimination stage at most of their competitions, but they now have the final group stage games played simultaneously so that the team's do not the know the results of the other game, which will effect their final group position and qualifying for the elimination (knockout) stage.
They made this change after a match in the European Championships some years ago where the two teams played their last group stage match to a result that they knew would have them both qualify for the elimination round, as the results of the other final match in their group were known because it had been played much earlier.
As in the London Olympic's badminton competition, the paying public could see what was going on and voiced their displeasure at it.
Could this happen in racquetball? There have been suggestions that it has happened in international racquetball competitions. Most recently, there were rumours that countries at last year's Junior World Racquetball Championships were trying to 'manage' their last group stage matches to gain a more favourable elimination round draw.
However, what the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) did was to introduce some uncertainty into the draw process. What they did was to say that the group match results would produce the elimination round under either conditions A or B. The top seeds were the same in each case, but for everyone else there was some uncertainty as to whether you would end up on the top or bottom of the draw.
Which format was used was not determined until after all the group stage matches were complete. At that point, a representative from each country was called upon to witness the random process that determined whether A or B was the format to be used for each division. Thus, no one knew ahead of time with 100% certainty where they would end up in the elimination round.
If such a process had been used by badminton in London, then the likelihood of having the gamesmanship of intentionally losing would have been reduced if not completely eliminated.
Sporting events are inherently competitive, and it should surprise no one if people's competitive nature leads them to try to take full advantage of the rules of play in their attempt to win. Event organizers should design their events with that mind, and create a format or schedule in which losing a match is not an effective way to gain an advantage in the event.
Because losing should never help you win.
Follow the bouncing ball….
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