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....