2012 US Open - Waselenchuk wins for 8th time

Kane Waselenchuk won his 8th US Open title Sunday by defeating Rocky Carson, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5, in the final of the 2012 United Healthcare US Open in Minneapolis. This was a repeat of the 2011 final, which Waselenchuk also won as part of a streak of five consecutive victories. It was the third time the #1 and #2 players on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) have played in the US Open final, as they also played the final in 2008.

There was an indication that it could go Carson's way in game one, as he had leads of 4-3 and 8-7. But Carson couldn't finish it off, as Waselenchuk won it 11-8.

After beginning the match with drive serves, Waselenchuk switched to lobs midway through game one and continued with that in game two, going out to a 6-1 lead.

But Carson fought back using drive serves and some drive z serves as well as off speed serves from the same service set up. He to to within one at 6-5 down.

Waselenchuk got two points to make it 8-5, and then they were stuck on that score for nine rallies. So long that it seemed the next point was going to be crucial.

Finally, after Waselenchuk got the serve back with a serve return kill shot, he drove serve to the left and ended the rally with a kill shot off on a set up from the back wall.

Carson didn't score again in game two.

Waselenchuk continued drive serving in game three, as he went out to 5-1 lead and extended that to 10-2. But Carson held off Waselenchuk's first match point with a serve return winner, and then got a few points of his own using drive z serves to the right side to make the score 10-5.

Waselenchuk got the serve back with a pinch shot winner of a Carson z serve to the left. That gave him a second match point, which he converted by drive serving down the right side with Carson skipping the return.

Afterwards, Waselenchuk said "I still feel I can get better, and I have a lot to learn." Hard to believe that's even possible given his record of accomplishment, but that's the attitude of a champion, who's "fighting to get better" every day.

Carson said he "felt great" during the match, but "couldn't finish the opportunities" that came his way. Waselenchuk put a lot of pressure on him to perform, and Carson performed well, but not well enough to carry the day.

Waselenchuk's victory is his 8th in 11 US Open appearances.

The US Open men's semi-finals and final were recorded for broadcast on the Tennis Channel in the USA on Thanksgiving weekend, November 24 and 25.

2012 United Healthcare US Open
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(seeding)

Final

(1) Kane Waselenchuk d. (2) Rocky Carson, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball….