2012 US Open - IRT 32s

Alex Ackermann caused the first big upset in the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) draw as he defeated 5th seed Ben Croft in five games, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, in the Round of 32 at the 2012 United Healthcare US Open in Minneapolis.

After having an early lead in the tie-breaker at 3-0, Ackermann fell behind to the veteran Croft, who took a 9-6 advantage and looked likely to complete the comeback after dropping the first two games. But Ackermann got the serve back and managed to tie the game helped by a couple of Croft errors and fortunate referee decisions.

Next up for Ackermann later on Thursday will be Anthony Herrera, who also needed five games to win in the 32s, as he defeated Alejandro Herrera, 11-13, 3-11, 11-6, 11-4, 13-11.

Canadian Vincent Gagnon upset 8th ranked Andy Hawthorne, 11-6, 11-6, 11-0, putting him in the 16s versus the winner of Tony Carson and Jansen Allen.

Other upsets included Jose Diaz, who beat Brad Schopieray, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3, and Polo Gutierrez, who was a winner over Juan Herrera, 11-4, 11-2, 11-3.

Early Thursday, Alvaro Beltran ended Mitch Williams's return to the US Open, although Williams did win the first game of the match. But Beltran took the next three, winning 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4. He'll play Diaz later Thursday.

The IRT Network is streaming the US Open live and some of the matches will be viewable for free all tournament.

2012 United Healthcare US Open
Minneapolis, Minnesota

IRT Round of 32

1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Mauricio Zeleda, 11-3, 11-2, 11-5
16 Alejandro Landa d. Carlos Keller Vargas, 11-4, 11-3, 11-3

9 Tony Carson d. Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-5, 11-1
Vincent Gagnon d. 8 Andy Hawthorne, 11-6, 11-6, 11-0

Alex Ackermann d. 5 Ben Croft, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9
12 Anthony Herrera d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-13, 3-11, 11-6, 11-4, 13-11

Jose Diaz d. 13 Brad Schopieray, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3
4 Alvaro Beltran d. Mitch Williams, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4

3 Jose Rojas d. Marco Rojas, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-3
Daniel De La Rosa d. 14 Ruben Gonzalez, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10

11 Javier Moreno d. Felipe Camacho, 2-11, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-0
6 Chris Crowther d. Nick Montalbano, 11-4, 11-6, 11-1

7 Shane Vanderson d. Gilberto Mejia, 7-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-6
10 Charlie Pratt d. James Slamko, 11-8, 3-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5

Polo Gutierrez d. 15 Juan Herrera, 11-4, 11-2, 11-3
2 Rocky Carson d. Rafael Filippini, 11-1, 11-0, 11-1

IRT Round of 16

1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 16 Alejandro Landa
9 Tony Carson v. Vincent Gagnon

12 Anthony Herrera v. Alex Ackermann
4 Alvaro Beltran v. Jose Diaz

3 Jose Rojas v. Daniel De La Rosa
6 Chris Crowther v. 11 Javier Moreno

7 Shane Vanderson v. 10 Charlie Pratt
2 Rocky Carson v. Polo Gutierrez

Follow the bouncing ball….