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....