The New Jersey Open begins later today in Warren, New Jersey. It's the fourth main event of the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season. It's the first IRT Tier 1 event in New Jersey in over a decade.
There are three notable absences in the draw for this weekend. The most significant of which is IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, who is out due to a knee injury. Hopefully, the time off will mean that he can be back at full capacity in the new year.
Also missing are #6 Ben Croft, who is getting married this weekend, and #11 Charlie Pratt, who has an ankle injury.
Thus, there are some opportunities for other players to win an event. But you'd have to think that the top half of the draw will see Rocky Carson and Chris Crowther in the semi-finals.
The bottom of the draw seems more interesting, as the potential quarter finals of Jose Rojas versus Shane Vanderson and Alvaro Beltran versus Tony Carson both could be very good. Rojas hasn't been at the top of his game so far this season, while Vanderson has had good performances, as have Carson and Beltran. But it's not uncommon for Beltran to have a sub-par performance, which could give Tony Carson the opportunity he needs.
Brad Schopieray has his first placing in the top 8 due to the absent players, and he will likely face Jansen Allen in the Round of 16 in what could also be a very competitive match.
The most interesting match of qualifying could be former #1 Cliff Swain against Agustin Tristan with the winner to play Rocky Carson in the 16s. There's no play in prior to this match so both Swain and Tristan will be fresh, which could be most advantageous to the veteran Swain.
Preliminary play begins Thursday December 13 in Warren, New Jersey with the main draw of 16 set to go on Friday at 10 AM EST. Note: the final will be Saturday evening at 7 PM EST. Matches can be viewed on-line via the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Preliminary Draw Round 1
Mitch Posner v. Joe Kelley
Alexi David Cocco Hayes v. Andrew Kopf
Roberto Santander v. Eli Mireles
Chris Young v. Joseph Palumbo
Eric Muller v. Jack Goldberg
Abraham Cardenas v. Toby Devore
Luis Reveron v. Alec Wasilonsky
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Q8: Agustin Tristan v. Cliff Swain
Q1: Alex Ackermann v. Mitch Posner or Joe Kelley
Q4: Jansen Allen v. Alexi David Cocco Hayes or Andrew Kopf
Q5: Andrew Gale v. Roberto Santander or Eli Mireles
Q6: Mauricio Zelada v. Chris Young or Joseph Palumbo
Q3: Nick Montalbano v. Eric Muller or Jack Goldberg
Q2: Arthur Schmeiser v. Abraham Cardenas or Toby Devore
Q7: Franciso Troncoso v. Luis Reveron or Alec Wasilonsky
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
Brad Schopieray v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Jose Rojas v. Q6
Shane Vanderson v. Q3
Tony Carson v. Q2
Alvaro Beltran v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, December 13, 2012
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