Maria Jose Vargas won another women's open title on the weekend, as she defeated Maiko Sato, 15-3, 15-11, in the final at the Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. Vargas beat Cristina Amaya, 15-13, 15-1, in the semi-finals with Sato defeating Jennifer Saunders, 15-8, 12-15, 11-6.
IRT Satellite Events
Rocky Carson won the 35th Lewis Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on the weekend by defeating Chris Crowther in the final. Carson defeated Shane Vanderson in one semi-finals and Crowther beat Alvaro Beltran in the other. Beltran won the 3rd place match.
Carson and Beltran teamed up to win the doubles title beating Tony Carson and Jansen Allen in the final. In the semi-finals, R. Carson and Beltran defeated Woody Clouse and Andy Hawthorne while T. Carson and Allen beat Crowther and Vanderson in the other semi-final. Crowther and Vanderson won the 3rd place match.
In Modesto, California, there was a Jose-Jose battle as Jose Rojas and Jose Diaz went toe to toe in the final of the Pro Splat event. Rojas came out on top 11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10.
Rojas reached the final with a semi-final victory over David Horn, 5-11, 4-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, while Diaz beat Francisco Troncoso, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3.
Cliff Swain won the West Michigan Pro-Am in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He defeated Brian Simpson in the final, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4. In the semi-finals, Swain beat Brad Schopieray, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3, and Simpson defeated Juan Herrera, 11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9.
Finally, Bradly Rogers won the 5th Annual Wichita YMCA Open in Wichita, Kansas. He defeated Scott Wolford in the final, 11-3, 11-3, 11-3. In the semi-finals, Rogers beat John Hudson, 11-3, 11-3, 11-1, while Wolford defeated Wesley McSwane, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7.
Wilson Tour for Hope, Cincinnati, Ohio
Women's Open
Final
Maria Jose Vargas d. Maiko Sato, 15-3, 15-11
Semi-final
Maria Jose Vargas d. Cristina Amaya, 15-13, 15-1
Maiko Sato d. Jennifer Saunders, 15-8, 12-15, 11-6
IRT Satellite Events
35th Lewis Pro-Am, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Men's Pro Final
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther
Third Place: Alvaro Beltran d. Shane Vanderson
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson d. Shane Vanderson
Chris Crowther d. Alvaro Beltran
Men's Pro Doubles
Final
Rocky Carson & Alvaro Beltran d. Tony Carson & Jansen Allen
Third place: Chris Crowther & Shane Vanderson d. Woody Clouse & Andy Hawthorne
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Alvaro Beltran d. Woody Clouse & Andy Hawthorne
Tony Carson & Jansen Allen d. Chris Crowther & Shane Vanderson
Winter Pro Splat, Modesto, California - IRT Tier 4
Final
Jose Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10
Semi-final
Jose Rojas d. David Horn, 5-11, 4-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4
Jose Diaz d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3
West Michigan Pro-Am, Grand Rapids, Michigan - IRT Tier 4
Final
Cliff Swain d. Brian Simpson, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4
Semi-finals
Cliff Swain d. Brad Schopieray, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
Brian Simpson d. Juan Herrera, 11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9
5th Annual Wichita YMCA Open, Wichita, Kansas - IRT Tier 5
Final
Bradly Rogers d. Scott Wolford, 11-3, 11-3, 11-3
Semi-finals
Bradly Rogers d. John Hudson, 11-3, 11-3, 11-1
Scott Wolford d. Wesley McSwane, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 28, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Longoria wins 2013 LPRT Wilson Tour of Hope
Paola Longoria's winning streak continues as she won the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday. Longoria defeated LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich in the final, 11-4, 11-3, 10-12, 11-5. Longoria is undefeated since May 2011.
Games one and two were all Longoria. In game one, she took leads of 6-0 and 9-1, before winning 11-4. In game two, it was 4-0 and 9-1 on the way to a 11-3 win.
But in game three Rajsich dug in and got the early lead herself at 6-1. She extended that to 8-2 before Longoria mounted a comeback. Longoria closed it to 8-7, only to see Rajsich score two and make it 10-7.
But despite three match point opportunities, Rajsich couldn't close it out, and Longoria tied the game at 10-10. However, Rajsich was able to get the next two points with the game winner coming on an avoidable call on Longoria, who made a shot that came right back to her with Rajsich set up for a winner.
However, that win only delayed the inevitable as Longoria won game five 11-5 to take the match and extend her winning streak.
The LPRT's next event is the Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas February 22-24.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Final
(note: seeding in parentheses)
1 Paola Longoria d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Games one and two were all Longoria. In game one, she took leads of 6-0 and 9-1, before winning 11-4. In game two, it was 4-0 and 9-1 on the way to a 11-3 win.
But in game three Rajsich dug in and got the early lead herself at 6-1. She extended that to 8-2 before Longoria mounted a comeback. Longoria closed it to 8-7, only to see Rajsich score two and make it 10-7.
But despite three match point opportunities, Rajsich couldn't close it out, and Longoria tied the game at 10-10. However, Rajsich was able to get the next two points with the game winner coming on an avoidable call on Longoria, who made a shot that came right back to her with Rajsich set up for a winner.
However, that win only delayed the inevitable as Longoria won game five 11-5 to take the match and extend her winning streak.
The LPRT's next event is the Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas February 22-24.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Final
(note: seeding in parentheses)
1 Paola Longoria d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT 2013 Wilson Tour of Hope - Semi-finals
Once again it will be #1 versus #2 in a Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event final, as Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich will face-off in the Wilson Tour for Hope final in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday. Paola Longoria has held the advantage over Rajsich since May 2011, when Rajsich last beat Longoria.
In the semi-finals, Longoria defeated Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2, while Rajsich beat Susana Acosta in five games, 1-11, 11-1, 4-11, 11-3, 12-10.
In the Rajsich-Acosta match, Acosta was up 10-6 in the fifth game, when Rajsich staged a comeback. Acosta called a time out late in the game, when she thought it was 10-10, but the referee had the score at 11-10 in Rajsich's favour. In following along, we thought the score went from 10-8 to 10-10, in that it seemed that Rajsich was given two points for one rally late in the game.
But we can't be certain if that's what happened, although in her post match statement Acosta mentioned how she thought the score was 10-10 rather than 11-10 when she called the timeout. If a scoring error was made that would be a huge mistake, and would be a contributing factor that kept Acosta from her first career final.
But Acosta did have three match point opportunities and failed to convert them. Rajsich won the match on her first match point opportunity.
The final is Sunday at noon EST, and can be viewed on-line via the LPRT Network.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Semi-finals
(note: seeding in parentheses)
1 Paola Longoria d. 12 Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 6 Susana Acosta, 1-11, 11-1, 4-11, 11-3, 12-10
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Longoria defeated Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2, while Rajsich beat Susana Acosta in five games, 1-11, 11-1, 4-11, 11-3, 12-10.
In the Rajsich-Acosta match, Acosta was up 10-6 in the fifth game, when Rajsich staged a comeback. Acosta called a time out late in the game, when she thought it was 10-10, but the referee had the score at 11-10 in Rajsich's favour. In following along, we thought the score went from 10-8 to 10-10, in that it seemed that Rajsich was given two points for one rally late in the game.
But we can't be certain if that's what happened, although in her post match statement Acosta mentioned how she thought the score was 10-10 rather than 11-10 when she called the timeout. If a scoring error was made that would be a huge mistake, and would be a contributing factor that kept Acosta from her first career final.
But Acosta did have three match point opportunities and failed to convert them. Rajsich won the match on her first match point opportunity.
The final is Sunday at noon EST, and can be viewed on-line via the LPRT Network.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Semi-finals
(note: seeding in parentheses)
1 Paola Longoria d. 12 Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 6 Susana Acosta, 1-11, 11-1, 4-11, 11-3, 12-10
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 26, 2013
LPRT 2013 Wilson Tour of Hope - Quarter finals
No upsets in the quarter finals of the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. Top seed Paola Longoria kept her winning streak going with a win over Jennifer Saunders, 11-7, 11-0, 11-3. Longoria hasn't lost since May 2009.
Second seed Rhonda Rajsich was pushed to the limit by Samantha Salas Solis, as they played a tie-breaker before Rajsich came out on top, 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9. Salas Solis used drive Z serves to the right side to great effect during the match, and almost rode that serve to victory.
In the other two quarter final matches, Left-handed veteran Susana Acosta beat Maria Jose Vargas in four games, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, and Grace Hughes defeated Masiel Rivera, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2, to reach the semi-finals for the second time in her career and second time this season.
The semi-finals will be at 5 PM and 6 PM EST Saturday with the final on Sunday at noon EST, and can be viewed on-line via the LPRT Network.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Quarter-finals
(note: seeding in parentheses)
1 Paola Longoria v. 9 Jennifer Saunders, 11-7, 11-0, 11-3
12 Grace Hughes v. 20 Masiel Rivera, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2
6 Susana Acosta v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Samantha Salas Solis, 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 12 Grace Hughes
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 6 Susana Acosta
Follow the bouncing ball….
Second seed Rhonda Rajsich was pushed to the limit by Samantha Salas Solis, as they played a tie-breaker before Rajsich came out on top, 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9. Salas Solis used drive Z serves to the right side to great effect during the match, and almost rode that serve to victory.
In the other two quarter final matches, Left-handed veteran Susana Acosta beat Maria Jose Vargas in four games, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, and Grace Hughes defeated Masiel Rivera, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2, to reach the semi-finals for the second time in her career and second time this season.
The semi-finals will be at 5 PM and 6 PM EST Saturday with the final on Sunday at noon EST, and can be viewed on-line via the LPRT Network.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Quarter-finals
(note: seeding in parentheses)
1 Paola Longoria v. 9 Jennifer Saunders, 11-7, 11-0, 11-3
12 Grace Hughes v. 20 Masiel Rivera, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2
6 Susana Acosta v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Samantha Salas Solis, 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 12 Grace Hughes
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 6 Susana Acosta
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT - 2013 Wilson Tour of Hope - Round of 16
The top two seeds won their Round of 16 matches, but only two other higher seeded players did at the Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio - this weekend's Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event, as the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th seeds all lost Friday evening.
Top seed Paola Longoria defeated Sheryl Lotts, 11-1, 11-2, 11-5, and second seed Rhonda Rajisch beat Mariana Tobon Gordon, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5.
However, in what we anticipated would be a tough match, Maria Jose Vargas - the World Junior U18 Champion - defeated 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas, 8-11, 11-0, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8.
Also losing was 4th seed Kerri Wachtel, who went down to 20th seed Masiel Rivera, 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10. Rivera played two five game matches Friday to reach the quarters finals, where she'll play Grace Hughes.
Hughes was an upset winner over 5th seed Adrienne Fisher, winning 11-1, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3. So, either the 12th seed (Hughes) or the 20th seed (Rivera) is going to be in the semi-finals.
The 8/9 match went to 9th seed Jennifer Saunders who defeated 8th seed Cristina Amaya, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.
The quarter finals begin Saturday morning at 11 AM and can be viewed on-line via the LPRT Network. The semi-finals will be at 5 PM and 6 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at noon.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 16
(note: seeding followed by current LPRT rank in parentheses)
1 (1) Paola Longoria d. 16 (24) Sheryl Lotts, 11-1, 11-2, 11-5
9 (10) Jennifer Saunders d. 8 (9) Cristina Amaya, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9
12 (13) Grace Hughes d. 5 (6) Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3
20 (32) Masiel Rivera d. 4 (5) Kerri Wachtel, 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10
14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas d. 3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas, 8-11, 11-0, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8
6 (7) Susana Acosta d. 11 (12) Da'monique Davis, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis d. 23T (NR) Kimberly Irons, 11-6, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich d. 18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5
Quarter-finals
1 (1) Paola Longoria v. 9 (10) Jennifer Saunders
12 (13) Grace Hughes v. 20 (32) Masiel Rivera
6 (7) Susana Acosta v. 14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top seed Paola Longoria defeated Sheryl Lotts, 11-1, 11-2, 11-5, and second seed Rhonda Rajisch beat Mariana Tobon Gordon, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5.
However, in what we anticipated would be a tough match, Maria Jose Vargas - the World Junior U18 Champion - defeated 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas, 8-11, 11-0, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8.
Also losing was 4th seed Kerri Wachtel, who went down to 20th seed Masiel Rivera, 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10. Rivera played two five game matches Friday to reach the quarters finals, where she'll play Grace Hughes.
Hughes was an upset winner over 5th seed Adrienne Fisher, winning 11-1, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3. So, either the 12th seed (Hughes) or the 20th seed (Rivera) is going to be in the semi-finals.
The 8/9 match went to 9th seed Jennifer Saunders who defeated 8th seed Cristina Amaya, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.
The quarter finals begin Saturday morning at 11 AM and can be viewed on-line via the LPRT Network. The semi-finals will be at 5 PM and 6 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at noon.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 16
(note: seeding followed by current LPRT rank in parentheses)
1 (1) Paola Longoria d. 16 (24) Sheryl Lotts, 11-1, 11-2, 11-5
9 (10) Jennifer Saunders d. 8 (9) Cristina Amaya, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9
12 (13) Grace Hughes d. 5 (6) Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3
20 (32) Masiel Rivera d. 4 (5) Kerri Wachtel, 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10
14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas d. 3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas, 8-11, 11-0, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8
6 (7) Susana Acosta d. 11 (12) Da'monique Davis, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis d. 23T (NR) Kimberly Irons, 11-6, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich d. 18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5
Quarter-finals
1 (1) Paola Longoria v. 9 (10) Jennifer Saunders
12 (13) Grace Hughes v. 20 (32) Masiel Rivera
6 (7) Susana Acosta v. 14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 25, 2013
2013 LPRT Wilson Tour of Hope - Round of 32
There were a few upset in the first round of this weekend's Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event - the Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The biggest upset was Kimberly Irons defeating 10th seed T. J. Baumbaugh, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-3. Irons will play Samantha Salas Solis in the Round of 16 later today.
Also, 20th seed Masiel Rivera defeated 13th seed Laura Brandt in a five game battle, 11-0, 13-15, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5, and 18th seed Mariana Tobon Gordon beat 15th seed Hailey Miller, 13-11, 11-3, 11-13, 3-11, 12-10.
Sheryl Lotts will have first crack at ending the winning streak of LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, as Lotts defeated Carla Muñoz, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, in the 32s to set up the match with Longoria in the 16s.
As anticipated, Maria Jose Vargas will play Cheryl Gudinas in the 16s, as Vargas beat Marie Barron in the Round of 32, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3.
Finally, Colombian Cristina Amaya defeated Maiko Sato of Japan in a relatively close match, 4-11, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4. Amaya will next play Canadian Jennifer Saunders, who beat American Kelly Gremley, 11-1, 11-6, 11-4.
The Round of 16 goes Friday afternoon and evening with the quarter finals and semi-finals on Saturday. Saturday's action, as well as Sunday's final, can be seen via the LPRT Network.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32
(note: seeding followed by current LPRT rank in parentheses)
1 (1) Paola Longoria v. 32 BYE
16 (24) Sheryl Lotts d. 17 (27) Carla Munoz, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6
9 (10) Jennifer Saunders d. 23T (NR) Kelly Gremley, 11-1, 11-6, 11-4
8 (9) Cristina Amaya d. 23T (NR) Maiko Sato, 4-11, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4
5 (6) Adrienne Fisher v. 28 BYE
12 (13) Grace Hughes d. 21 (38) Lily Berry, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
20 (32) Masiel Rivera d. 13 (17) Laura Brandt, 11-0, 13-15, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5
4 (5) Kerri Wachtel v. 29 BYE
3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas v. 30 BYE
14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas d. 19 (29) Marie Barron, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3
11 (12) Da'monique Davis d. 22 (62) Elaine Albrecht, 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 14-12
6 (7) Susana Acosta v. 27 BYE
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis v. 26 BYE
23T (NR) Kimberly Irons d. 10 (11) T. J. Baumbaugh, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-3
18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon d. 15 (22) Hailey Miller, 13-11, 11-3, 11-13, 3-11, 12-10
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 31 BYE
Round of 16
1 (1) Paola Longoria v. 16 (24) Sheryl Lotts
8 (9) Cristina Amaya d. 9 (10) Jennifer Saunders
5 (6) Adrienne Fisher v. 12 (13) Grace Hughes
4 (5) Kerri Wachtel v. 20 (32) Masiel Rivera
3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas v. 14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas
6 (7) Susana Acosta v. 11 (12) Da'monique Davis
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis v. 23T (NR) Kimberly Irons
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon
Follow the bouncing ball….
The biggest upset was Kimberly Irons defeating 10th seed T. J. Baumbaugh, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-3. Irons will play Samantha Salas Solis in the Round of 16 later today.
Also, 20th seed Masiel Rivera defeated 13th seed Laura Brandt in a five game battle, 11-0, 13-15, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5, and 18th seed Mariana Tobon Gordon beat 15th seed Hailey Miller, 13-11, 11-3, 11-13, 3-11, 12-10.
Sheryl Lotts will have first crack at ending the winning streak of LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, as Lotts defeated Carla Muñoz, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, in the 32s to set up the match with Longoria in the 16s.
As anticipated, Maria Jose Vargas will play Cheryl Gudinas in the 16s, as Vargas beat Marie Barron in the Round of 32, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3.
Finally, Colombian Cristina Amaya defeated Maiko Sato of Japan in a relatively close match, 4-11, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4. Amaya will next play Canadian Jennifer Saunders, who beat American Kelly Gremley, 11-1, 11-6, 11-4.
The Round of 16 goes Friday afternoon and evening with the quarter finals and semi-finals on Saturday. Saturday's action, as well as Sunday's final, can be seen via the LPRT Network.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32
(note: seeding followed by current LPRT rank in parentheses)
1 (1) Paola Longoria v. 32 BYE
16 (24) Sheryl Lotts d. 17 (27) Carla Munoz, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6
9 (10) Jennifer Saunders d. 23T (NR) Kelly Gremley, 11-1, 11-6, 11-4
8 (9) Cristina Amaya d. 23T (NR) Maiko Sato, 4-11, 11-1, 12-10, 11-4
5 (6) Adrienne Fisher v. 28 BYE
12 (13) Grace Hughes d. 21 (38) Lily Berry, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
20 (32) Masiel Rivera d. 13 (17) Laura Brandt, 11-0, 13-15, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5
4 (5) Kerri Wachtel v. 29 BYE
3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas v. 30 BYE
14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas d. 19 (29) Marie Barron, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3
11 (12) Da'monique Davis d. 22 (62) Elaine Albrecht, 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 14-12
6 (7) Susana Acosta v. 27 BYE
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis v. 26 BYE
23T (NR) Kimberly Irons d. 10 (11) T. J. Baumbaugh, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-3
18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon d. 15 (22) Hailey Miller, 13-11, 11-3, 11-13, 3-11, 12-10
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 31 BYE
Round of 16
1 (1) Paola Longoria v. 16 (24) Sheryl Lotts
8 (9) Cristina Amaya d. 9 (10) Jennifer Saunders
5 (6) Adrienne Fisher v. 12 (13) Grace Hughes
4 (5) Kerri Wachtel v. 20 (32) Masiel Rivera
3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas v. 14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas
6 (7) Susana Acosta v. 11 (12) Da'monique Davis
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis v. 23T (NR) Kimberly Irons
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
2013 Wilson Tour of Hope - Preview UPDATED
The Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour's (LPRT's) first tournament of 2013 is this weekend's Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. Twenty-five players are in the draw, including the top 13 players with the exception of LPRT #3 Krystal Csuk.
Attention will be on LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and whether she can extend her winning streak that began back in May 2011. Longoria's won 13 consecutive tournaments.
But there are other players to watch for, including Maria Jose Vargas, who won the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) U18 Junior Girls Championship last year and has won every open event since then, including in New Jersey, California and New York.
Vargas faces Maria Barron first, and if she wins, she'll be up against veteran Cheryl Gudinas, which could be a very interesting match.
Also, Maiko Sato of Japan, who's currently unranked, has had good results in the past and will face Colombian Cristina Amaya in what should be a good match. The winner will play Jennifer Saunders of Canada or American Kelly Gremley.
Note: the following is an unofficial draw, as we've guessed where the three unranked players will be seeded.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32
(note: seeding followed by current LPRT rank in parentheses)
1 (1) Paola Longoria BYE
16 (24) Sheryl Lotts v. 17 (27) Carla Munoz
9 (10) Jennifer Saunders v. 23T (NR) Kelly Gremley
8 (9) Cristina Amaya v. 23T (NR) Maiko Sato
5 (6) Adrienne Fisher BYE
12 (13) Grace Hughes v. 21 (38) Lily Berry
13 (17) Laura Brandt v. 20 (32) Masiel Rivera
4 (5) Kerri Wachtel BYE
3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas BYE
14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas v. 19 (29) Marie Barron
11 (12) Da'monique Davis v. 22 (62) Elaine Albrecht
6 (7) Susana Acosta BYE
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis BYE
10 (11) T. J. Baumbaugh v. 23T (NR) Kimberly Irons
15 (22) Hailey Miller v. 18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Attention will be on LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and whether she can extend her winning streak that began back in May 2011. Longoria's won 13 consecutive tournaments.
But there are other players to watch for, including Maria Jose Vargas, who won the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) U18 Junior Girls Championship last year and has won every open event since then, including in New Jersey, California and New York.
Vargas faces Maria Barron first, and if she wins, she'll be up against veteran Cheryl Gudinas, which could be a very interesting match.
Also, Maiko Sato of Japan, who's currently unranked, has had good results in the past and will face Colombian Cristina Amaya in what should be a good match. The winner will play Jennifer Saunders of Canada or American Kelly Gremley.
Note: the following is an unofficial draw, as we've guessed where the three unranked players will be seeded.
2013 Wilson Tour for Hope
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32
(note: seeding followed by current LPRT rank in parentheses)
1 (1) Paola Longoria BYE
16 (24) Sheryl Lotts v. 17 (27) Carla Munoz
9 (10) Jennifer Saunders v. 23T (NR) Kelly Gremley
8 (9) Cristina Amaya v. 23T (NR) Maiko Sato
5 (6) Adrienne Fisher BYE
12 (13) Grace Hughes v. 21 (38) Lily Berry
13 (17) Laura Brandt v. 20 (32) Masiel Rivera
4 (5) Kerri Wachtel BYE
3 (4) Cheryl Gudinas BYE
14 (20) Maria Jose Vargas v. 19 (29) Marie Barron
11 (12) Da'monique Davis v. 22 (62) Elaine Albrecht
6 (7) Susana Acosta BYE
7 (8) Samantha Salas Solis BYE
10 (11) T. J. Baumbaugh v. 23T (NR) Kimberly Irons
15 (22) Hailey Miller v. 18 (28) Mariana Tobon Gordon
2 (2) Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 21, 2013
Weekend Round Up - Ackermann wins singles & doubles in Austin
Alex Ackermann won the 2013 Longhorn Open down in Austin, Texas on the weekend. In the final of the Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event, Ackermann defeated Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-7, 11-1, in a battle of #1 and #2 seeds, respectively.
Ackermann needed five games to escape the semi-finals against Patric Mascorro, winning 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5. Allen had an easier time of it in the other semi, defeating veteran Richard Eisemann, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8.
Also of interest in the draw was Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) #1 Paola Longoria, who lost in the Round of 16 to Adam Ackermann in five games, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 4-11, 11-5.
The Ackermanns teamed up to win the Men's Open Doubles title by defeating Mascorro and Rusty Powell, 15-10, 15-8. They got to final with a semi-final win over George Bustos and Ivan Sanchez, 15-11, 15-12, while Powell and Mascorro beat Kevin Sendrey and Eisemann, 15-11, 10-15, 11-6.
Allen and Longoria teamed up to win the Mixed Open Doubles division. They defeated Kim Russell-Waselenchuk and Soly Kor in the final, 15-1, 15-6. In the semi-finals, Allen and Longoria beat Clint Mehta and Bernadette Zimmerman, 15-4, 15-6, and Russell-Waselenchuk and Kor defeated Linda Scales and Garrett Taylor, 15-11, 15-11.
2013 Longhorn Open, Austin, Texas
Men's Open
Final
Alex Ackermann d. Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-7, 11-1
Semi-finals
Alex Ackermann d. Patric Mascorro, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5
Jansen Allen d. Richard Eisemann, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Alex Ackermann & Adam Ackermann d. Patric Mascorro & Rusty Powell, 15-10, 15-8
Semi-finals
Alex Ackermann & Adam Ackermann d. George Bustos & Ivan Sanchez, 15-11, 15-12
Rusty Powell & Patric Mascorro d. Kevin Sendrey & Richard Eisemann, 15-11, 10-15, 11-6
Mixed Open Doubles
Final
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Kim Russell-Waselenchuk & Soly Kor, 15-1, 15-6
Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Clint Mehta & Bernadette Zimmerman, 15-4, 15-6
Kim Russell-Waselenchuk & Soly Kor d. Linda Scales & Garrett Taylor, 15-11, 15-11
Follow the bouncing ball….
Ackermann needed five games to escape the semi-finals against Patric Mascorro, winning 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5. Allen had an easier time of it in the other semi, defeating veteran Richard Eisemann, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8.
Also of interest in the draw was Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) #1 Paola Longoria, who lost in the Round of 16 to Adam Ackermann in five games, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 4-11, 11-5.
The Ackermanns teamed up to win the Men's Open Doubles title by defeating Mascorro and Rusty Powell, 15-10, 15-8. They got to final with a semi-final win over George Bustos and Ivan Sanchez, 15-11, 15-12, while Powell and Mascorro beat Kevin Sendrey and Eisemann, 15-11, 10-15, 11-6.
Allen and Longoria teamed up to win the Mixed Open Doubles division. They defeated Kim Russell-Waselenchuk and Soly Kor in the final, 15-1, 15-6. In the semi-finals, Allen and Longoria beat Clint Mehta and Bernadette Zimmerman, 15-4, 15-6, and Russell-Waselenchuk and Kor defeated Linda Scales and Garrett Taylor, 15-11, 15-11.
2013 Longhorn Open, Austin, Texas
Men's Open
Final
Alex Ackermann d. Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-7, 11-1
Semi-finals
Alex Ackermann d. Patric Mascorro, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5
Jansen Allen d. Richard Eisemann, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Alex Ackermann & Adam Ackermann d. Patric Mascorro & Rusty Powell, 15-10, 15-8
Semi-finals
Alex Ackermann & Adam Ackermann d. George Bustos & Ivan Sanchez, 15-11, 15-12
Rusty Powell & Patric Mascorro d. Kevin Sendrey & Richard Eisemann, 15-11, 10-15, 11-6
Mixed Open Doubles
Final
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Kim Russell-Waselenchuk & Soly Kor, 15-1, 15-6
Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Paola Longoria d. Clint Mehta & Bernadette Zimmerman, 15-4, 15-6
Kim Russell-Waselenchuk & Soly Kor d. Linda Scales & Garrett Taylor, 15-11, 15-11
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Weekend Round Up
Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas again faced off in a Men's Open division final, as they met in the New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am in Syosset, New York Sunday. But this time Jose Diaz got the better of his fellow Stockton training partner, and won the event.
In the semi-finals, Diaz defeated Luis Reveron and Rojas beat Mauricio Zelada.
In Men's Open Doubles, Pedro Castro and Samuel Murray won the title by defeating Lee Connell and Arthur Schmeiser. Castro and Murray got to the final by defeating Fabian Pedraza and Anthony Herrera in one semi-final while Connell and Schmeiser beat Sanjay Laforest and Mauricio Zelada in the other.
Also, Maria Jose Vargas won the Women's Open title by defeating Masiel Rivera in the final. Vargas got the better of Beth Shea in the semi-finals with Rivera defeating Kimberly Ferina in the other semi.
IRT Satellite Events
Brian Simpson and Ryan Maher won the two Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events on last weekend.
Simpson won Danny Boy's Winter Open in Sandusky, Ohio by defeating Danny Lavely in the final, 11-6, 0-11, 11-2, 11-13, 11-6.
Maher defeated Hal Rutherford, 11-9, 11-2, 11-9, to win the Racquetball Blizzard in St Louis, Missouri.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am, Syosset, New York
Men's Open
Final: Jose Diaz d. Marco Rojas
Semi-finals: Jose Diaz d. Luis Reveron, Marco Rojas d. Mauricio Zelada
Men's Open Doubles
Final: Pedro Castro & Samuel Murray d. Lee Connell & Arthur Schmeiser
Semi-finals: Pedro Castro & Samuel Murray d. Fabian Pedraza & Anthony Herrera, Lee Connell & Arthur Schmeiser d. Sanjay Laforest & Mauricio Zelada
Women's Open
Final: Maria Jose Vargas d. Masiel Rivera
Semi-finals: Maria Jose Vargas d. Beth Shea, Masiel Rivera d. Kimberly Ferina
Danny Boy's Winter Open, Sandusky, Ohio
Final
Brian Simpson d. Danny Lavely, 11-6, 0-11, 11-2, 11-13, 11-6
Semi-finals
Brian Simpson d. Jonathan Doyle, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6
Danny Lavely d. John Craig Chisholm, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5
Racquetball Blizzard, St Louis, Missouri
Final
Ryan Maher d. Hal Rutherford, 11-9, 11-2, 11-9
Semi-finals
Ryan Maher d. Filip Vesely, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4
Hal Rutherford d. Drew Finke, 11-9, 11-4, 2-11, 6-11, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Diaz defeated Luis Reveron and Rojas beat Mauricio Zelada.
In Men's Open Doubles, Pedro Castro and Samuel Murray won the title by defeating Lee Connell and Arthur Schmeiser. Castro and Murray got to the final by defeating Fabian Pedraza and Anthony Herrera in one semi-final while Connell and Schmeiser beat Sanjay Laforest and Mauricio Zelada in the other.
Also, Maria Jose Vargas won the Women's Open title by defeating Masiel Rivera in the final. Vargas got the better of Beth Shea in the semi-finals with Rivera defeating Kimberly Ferina in the other semi.
IRT Satellite Events
Brian Simpson and Ryan Maher won the two Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events on last weekend.
Simpson won Danny Boy's Winter Open in Sandusky, Ohio by defeating Danny Lavely in the final, 11-6, 0-11, 11-2, 11-13, 11-6.
Maher defeated Hal Rutherford, 11-9, 11-2, 11-9, to win the Racquetball Blizzard in St Louis, Missouri.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am, Syosset, New York
Men's Open
Final: Jose Diaz d. Marco Rojas
Semi-finals: Jose Diaz d. Luis Reveron, Marco Rojas d. Mauricio Zelada
Men's Open Doubles
Final: Pedro Castro & Samuel Murray d. Lee Connell & Arthur Schmeiser
Semi-finals: Pedro Castro & Samuel Murray d. Fabian Pedraza & Anthony Herrera, Lee Connell & Arthur Schmeiser d. Sanjay Laforest & Mauricio Zelada
Women's Open
Final: Maria Jose Vargas d. Masiel Rivera
Semi-finals: Maria Jose Vargas d. Beth Shea, Masiel Rivera d. Kimberly Ferina
Danny Boy's Winter Open, Sandusky, Ohio
Final
Brian Simpson d. Danny Lavely, 11-6, 0-11, 11-2, 11-13, 11-6
Semi-finals
Brian Simpson d. Jonathan Doyle, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6
Danny Lavely d. John Craig Chisholm, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5
Racquetball Blizzard, St Louis, Missouri
Final
Ryan Maher d. Hal Rutherford, 11-9, 11-2, 11-9
Semi-finals
Ryan Maher d. Filip Vesely, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4
Hal Rutherford d. Drew Finke, 11-9, 11-4, 2-11, 6-11, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 13, 2013
IRT - Carson win 2013 New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am
Rocky Carson defeated Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4, to win the New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am in Syosset, New York Sunday for his 2nd win of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season. The win was the 15th of Carson's career and kept him undefeated against Rojas in seven matches.
Game one was streaky, as Carson came out strong, and went up 7-0, and 10-2. Rojas came back to make it 10-7. Carson took a time-out and when play resumed he got the serve back.
The next two rallies were indicative of the match. Carson drove serve right and Rojas dove right to return, hitting a straight in kill shot that was never more than two inches off the floor. Carson thought Rojas didn't get the ball, but he clearly did.
However, on the next rally, Rojas drove serve to the right. Carson returned it cross court, and Rojas blew up a back hand shot. He hit it into the floor around the service box. It was one of too many unforced errors by Rojas.
Rojas started well in game two, holding the lead at 6-4. They were back and forth after that, but Rojas was again in the lead at 9-7 after a drive serve ace to the right side.
Again Carson called a time out. When play resumed, Rojas hit a short serve, and then lob served to the left, which led to a long, scramble of a rally that Carson won. Carson then served out the game, hitting some jam serves to the left that were difficult for Rojas to even return.
Carson led wire to wire in game three, although it was close in the mid-game, when he led 6-4. But Rojas couldn't get any more points than that, as Carson went on to win it 11-4.
The win gives Carson two victories on tour for the first season since 2008-09, when he also won two. Carson's only won more than one IRT event in a season twice before. In 2008-09 and 2007-08, when he won seven times.
The next IRT Tier 1 event is the Florida Spring Break Pro-Am March 6-10, 2013.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Final
Rocky Carson d. Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Game one was streaky, as Carson came out strong, and went up 7-0, and 10-2. Rojas came back to make it 10-7. Carson took a time-out and when play resumed he got the serve back.
The next two rallies were indicative of the match. Carson drove serve right and Rojas dove right to return, hitting a straight in kill shot that was never more than two inches off the floor. Carson thought Rojas didn't get the ball, but he clearly did.
However, on the next rally, Rojas drove serve to the right. Carson returned it cross court, and Rojas blew up a back hand shot. He hit it into the floor around the service box. It was one of too many unforced errors by Rojas.
Rojas started well in game two, holding the lead at 6-4. They were back and forth after that, but Rojas was again in the lead at 9-7 after a drive serve ace to the right side.
Again Carson called a time out. When play resumed, Rojas hit a short serve, and then lob served to the left, which led to a long, scramble of a rally that Carson won. Carson then served out the game, hitting some jam serves to the left that were difficult for Rojas to even return.
Carson led wire to wire in game three, although it was close in the mid-game, when he led 6-4. But Rojas couldn't get any more points than that, as Carson went on to win it 11-4.
The win gives Carson two victories on tour for the first season since 2008-09, when he also won two. Carson's only won more than one IRT event in a season twice before. In 2008-09 and 2007-08, when he won seven times.
The next IRT Tier 1 event is the Florida Spring Break Pro-Am March 6-10, 2013.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Final
Rocky Carson d. Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 12, 2013
IRT - New York Temperature Controls Semi-finals
Jose Rojas has reached his second career International Racquetball Tour (IRT) final at the New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am in Syosset, New York, as he defeated second seed Alvaro Beltran in the semi-finals on Saturday, 11-6, 11-8, 1-11, 11-5. Rojas won his only other final appearance on tour, when he defeated Beltran in the final of the San Diego Open last year.
Top seed Rocky Carson will be Rojas's opponent in the final, as Carson came from behind to defeat Chris Crowther in the other semi-final, 8-11, 11-2, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6.
Rojas started strong, going up 7-0 on Beltran. That gave him 21 straight points going back to the end of game four in his quarter final match with Ben Croft on Friday.
Beltran battled back and got the score down to 8-6, when Rojas called a time out. That proved effective, as Rojas closed out the game without giving up another point. Rojas used lob serves to the left side - Beltran's backhand side - in game one.
But in game two Rojas switched to drive serving, primarily to the left side but also some to the right side, and his success continued, as won the second game, 11-8.
Beltran has often started matches slowly, and dropped the first two games in his quarter final match on Friday versus Alejandro Landa before winning in a tie-breaker. So, going down 2-0 to Rojas was not unfamiliar territory for him.
Thus, it wasn't a surprise when Beltran played lights out in game three, going up 3-0 and then 10-1. Rojas fought off the game ending point five times, but couldn't score any points himself. Finally on the sixth attempt, Beltran won the game.
Game four was a repeat of game one, as Rojas got out to a 7-0 lead and kept on cruising, winning 11-6. On match point, Rojas hit a ceiling ball to the left that fell into the crack of the left wall. Beltran dove forward to get it, but could only hit it to the ceiling. The result was a set up off the back wall for Rojas that he killed to win the match.
For much of the other semi-final, it looked like there would also be an upset as Chris Crowther came back in game one with a 9-1 run to turn a 7-2 deficit into a 11-8 win.
Game two was all Carson as he levelled the match at 1-1 with an 11-2 win. But in game three the roles reversed, as Crowther went up 6-1. Carson fought back to make it 7-6, but he never tied it as Crowther closed out the game, 11-7, and take a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Game three's storyline was repeated early in game four with Crowther again going up 6-1. But this time Carson's comeback did result in a tie at 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, and 9-9.
Crowther got the 10th point first, and served for the match at 10-9. He hit a drive to the right that he thought cracked out just over the short line. But the referee called it short, and replay evidence suggested that was the correct call.
Sadly for Crowther, he didn't score another point as Carson pulled out the win, 12-10.
With momentum on his side, Carson went up 4-0, and although Crowther did dig in a make a game of it, he couldn't overcome that early difference, as Carson won the fifth game, 11-6, and the match, 3-2.
Carson and Rojas have played six times on tour, and Carson has won all six. Their most recent meeting was this season in the Kansas City semi-finals, when Carson won in four games.
The final will be at noon EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 8-11, 11-2, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6
Jose Rojas d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-6, 11-8, 1-11, 11-5
Final
Rocky Carson v. Jose Rojas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top seed Rocky Carson will be Rojas's opponent in the final, as Carson came from behind to defeat Chris Crowther in the other semi-final, 8-11, 11-2, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6.
Rojas started strong, going up 7-0 on Beltran. That gave him 21 straight points going back to the end of game four in his quarter final match with Ben Croft on Friday.
Beltran battled back and got the score down to 8-6, when Rojas called a time out. That proved effective, as Rojas closed out the game without giving up another point. Rojas used lob serves to the left side - Beltran's backhand side - in game one.
But in game two Rojas switched to drive serving, primarily to the left side but also some to the right side, and his success continued, as won the second game, 11-8.
Beltran has often started matches slowly, and dropped the first two games in his quarter final match on Friday versus Alejandro Landa before winning in a tie-breaker. So, going down 2-0 to Rojas was not unfamiliar territory for him.
Thus, it wasn't a surprise when Beltran played lights out in game three, going up 3-0 and then 10-1. Rojas fought off the game ending point five times, but couldn't score any points himself. Finally on the sixth attempt, Beltran won the game.
Game four was a repeat of game one, as Rojas got out to a 7-0 lead and kept on cruising, winning 11-6. On match point, Rojas hit a ceiling ball to the left that fell into the crack of the left wall. Beltran dove forward to get it, but could only hit it to the ceiling. The result was a set up off the back wall for Rojas that he killed to win the match.
For much of the other semi-final, it looked like there would also be an upset as Chris Crowther came back in game one with a 9-1 run to turn a 7-2 deficit into a 11-8 win.
Game two was all Carson as he levelled the match at 1-1 with an 11-2 win. But in game three the roles reversed, as Crowther went up 6-1. Carson fought back to make it 7-6, but he never tied it as Crowther closed out the game, 11-7, and take a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Game three's storyline was repeated early in game four with Crowther again going up 6-1. But this time Carson's comeback did result in a tie at 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, and 9-9.
Crowther got the 10th point first, and served for the match at 10-9. He hit a drive to the right that he thought cracked out just over the short line. But the referee called it short, and replay evidence suggested that was the correct call.
Sadly for Crowther, he didn't score another point as Carson pulled out the win, 12-10.
With momentum on his side, Carson went up 4-0, and although Crowther did dig in a make a game of it, he couldn't overcome that early difference, as Carson won the fifth game, 11-6, and the match, 3-2.
Carson and Rojas have played six times on tour, and Carson has won all six. Their most recent meeting was this season in the Kansas City semi-finals, when Carson won in four games.
The final will be at noon EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 8-11, 11-2, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6
Jose Rojas d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-6, 11-8, 1-11, 11-5
Final
Rocky Carson v. Jose Rojas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 11, 2013
IRT - New York Temperature Controls Quarter Finals
The four top seeds all made it through to the semi-finals of the New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am in Syosset, New York, which is the sixth event of the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season. But two of the four quarter final matches went five games.
However, top seed Rocky Carson needed only three games to defeat Javier Moreno, winning 11-5, 11-9, 11-8. Moreno had early leads in both games two and three, and was even tied at 8-8 in the second game and at 9-8 down game three. However, Moreno just couldn't finish either game, as Carson raised his game to ensure a straight game victory.
Carson will face Chris Crowther in the semi-finals, as Crowther also won his quarter final match in three straight games. He defeated Anthony Herrera 12-10, 11-3, 11-3. Herrera was up 6-3 in game one and served for the game at 10-8. However, he couldn't finish it off as Crowther won three straight points to take game one.
In game two, Herrera got the first three points, but then stalled as Crowther counted off eleven in a row to win the game and take a commanding lead in the match. He used the momentum to take game three easily.
It was on the bottom of the draw where the five game matches happened. Second seed Alvaro Beltran lost the first two games of his quarter final match against Alejandro Landa, but then came back to win it in five including going into 'overtime' in game five. The final scoreline was 9-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11.
Landa almost closed out the match in three games, although Beltran had a 8-1 lead in that game. Landa came back to make it 8-7, and was four points from the victory. However, the veteran Beltran managed to pull out the game and the match.
Beltran will face Jose Rojas in the semis, as Rojas survived a five game battle with Ben Croft, 2-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-2, 11-0. Croft came out on fire in game one, driving serving Rojas off the court.
But in game two, it was Rojas who got off to a good start, as he went up 4-1 and kept it up to lead 10-5. But then Croft held Rojas at 10 for three game points and scored four points to make the score 10-9. However, Croft couldn't tie the game and Rojas won it on his fourth game point.
In game three the momentum swung back to Croft, as scored the first three points of the game. Rojas cut the lead to one at 3-2, but then Croft ran the score up to 10-2. Then in a reversal of game two, Rojas held off Croft for four games points but he could only score one more point before Croft got an eleventh to win the game.
Rojas lead most of the way in game four, and late in the game Croft, who had questioned some of the referee's calls earlier in the match, let the referee get to him and was called for a technical at 10-4, and then lost the next rally. Thus, Rojas won game four 11-3, forcing a tie-breaking fifth game.
In the fifth it was all Rojas, as he blanked Croft with solid shots and three service winners, including the final point which came as Croft skipped a backhand serve return off a drive serve to the left side.
The first semi-final will be Saturday at 4 PM EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson d. Javier Moreno, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8
Chris Crowther d. Anthony Herrera, 12-10, 11-3, 11-3
Jose Rojas d. Ben Croft, 2-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3, 11-0
Alvaro Beltran d. Alejandro Landa, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11
Semi-finals - Saturday
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther - 5 PM EST
Alvaro Beltran v. Jose Rojas - 4 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
However, top seed Rocky Carson needed only three games to defeat Javier Moreno, winning 11-5, 11-9, 11-8. Moreno had early leads in both games two and three, and was even tied at 8-8 in the second game and at 9-8 down game three. However, Moreno just couldn't finish either game, as Carson raised his game to ensure a straight game victory.
Carson will face Chris Crowther in the semi-finals, as Crowther also won his quarter final match in three straight games. He defeated Anthony Herrera 12-10, 11-3, 11-3. Herrera was up 6-3 in game one and served for the game at 10-8. However, he couldn't finish it off as Crowther won three straight points to take game one.
In game two, Herrera got the first three points, but then stalled as Crowther counted off eleven in a row to win the game and take a commanding lead in the match. He used the momentum to take game three easily.
It was on the bottom of the draw where the five game matches happened. Second seed Alvaro Beltran lost the first two games of his quarter final match against Alejandro Landa, but then came back to win it in five including going into 'overtime' in game five. The final scoreline was 9-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11.
Landa almost closed out the match in three games, although Beltran had a 8-1 lead in that game. Landa came back to make it 8-7, and was four points from the victory. However, the veteran Beltran managed to pull out the game and the match.
Beltran will face Jose Rojas in the semis, as Rojas survived a five game battle with Ben Croft, 2-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-2, 11-0. Croft came out on fire in game one, driving serving Rojas off the court.
But in game two, it was Rojas who got off to a good start, as he went up 4-1 and kept it up to lead 10-5. But then Croft held Rojas at 10 for three game points and scored four points to make the score 10-9. However, Croft couldn't tie the game and Rojas won it on his fourth game point.
In game three the momentum swung back to Croft, as scored the first three points of the game. Rojas cut the lead to one at 3-2, but then Croft ran the score up to 10-2. Then in a reversal of game two, Rojas held off Croft for four games points but he could only score one more point before Croft got an eleventh to win the game.
Rojas lead most of the way in game four, and late in the game Croft, who had questioned some of the referee's calls earlier in the match, let the referee get to him and was called for a technical at 10-4, and then lost the next rally. Thus, Rojas won game four 11-3, forcing a tie-breaking fifth game.
In the fifth it was all Rojas, as he blanked Croft with solid shots and three service winners, including the final point which came as Croft skipped a backhand serve return off a drive serve to the left side.
The first semi-final will be Saturday at 4 PM EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson d. Javier Moreno, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8
Chris Crowther d. Anthony Herrera, 12-10, 11-3, 11-3
Jose Rojas d. Ben Croft, 2-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3, 11-0
Alvaro Beltran d. Alejandro Landa, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11
Semi-finals - Saturday
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther - 5 PM EST
Alvaro Beltran v. Jose Rojas - 4 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT - New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am Round of 16
Alejandro Landa defeated Andy Hawthorne, 4-11, 11-0, 11-6, 11-4, in the Round of 16 at the New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am in Syosset, New York, the sixth event of the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season. Landa will play 2nd seed Alvaro Beltran in the quarter finals later today.
Beltran defeated Marco Rojas, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-5. It could have been three straight, as Beltran was up 9-4 in game two. However, Rojas went on a roll to get back in that game and eventually win it.
Rojas used drive Z serves to the left, Beltran's backhand side. That got him from 9-4 to 9-8 at which point Rojas hit a straight drive right, and lost the rally.
Beltran make it 10-8, and then Rojas got a side out. Rojas served another drive Z to the left, and won the rally, making it 10-9. But again Rojas went away from that serve to hit a straight drive to the left, and again Beltran won the rally.
Beltran failed to end the game, so Rojas got the serve back, hit another drive Z to the left and got a point to tie the game 10-10. Rojas went on to win it, 12-10, and it looked like he'd changed the momentum in the match, as he seemed to have found a serve that was working against Beltran.
However, Rojas didn't hit that serve very often in the next two games. To be fair, he didn't many serves at all in game three, which Beltran won 11-2. But it was surprising that Rojas didn't try to use that drive Z serve more in the match.
Top seed Rocky Carson defeated Mauricio Zelada in three straight games, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3. Zelada competed hard though, and he made several diving gets and put the ball on the get.
In fact, Zelada put in a early bid for shot of the tournament. Carson had hit a pinch to the front right corner that was up a bit, and Zelada went and got it by diving front right to left towards the front left corner and hit the ball with his backhand for a pinch roll out. Zelada ended up with his nose against the left wall almost in the corner. Carson acknowledged the good play with a racquet clap: his left hand against the face of his racquet.
In one of the matches we were eagerly anticipating, Jose Rojas pretty much had his way with Nick Montalbano, winning in three straight games, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6. They were tied at 6-6 in the third, but Rojas was just too strong on the day, and held Montalbano at six to finish off the game and match.
The main draw of 16 continues and the quarter finals will begin at 4 PM EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3
Javier Moreno d. Brad Schopieray, 11-2, 11-9, 11-3
Anthony Herrera d. Jose Diaz, 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6
Chris Crowther d. Agustin Tristan
Jose Rojas d. Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6
Ben Croft d. Joe Palazzo, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9
Alejandro Landa d. Andy Hawthorne, 4-11, 11-0, 11-6, 11-4
Alvaro Beltran d. Marco Rojas, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-7
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson v. Javier Moreno
Chris Crowther v. Anthony Herrera
Jose Rojas v. Ben Croft
Alvaro Beltran v. Alejandro Landa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Beltran defeated Marco Rojas, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-5. It could have been three straight, as Beltran was up 9-4 in game two. However, Rojas went on a roll to get back in that game and eventually win it.
Rojas used drive Z serves to the left, Beltran's backhand side. That got him from 9-4 to 9-8 at which point Rojas hit a straight drive right, and lost the rally.
Beltran make it 10-8, and then Rojas got a side out. Rojas served another drive Z to the left, and won the rally, making it 10-9. But again Rojas went away from that serve to hit a straight drive to the left, and again Beltran won the rally.
Beltran failed to end the game, so Rojas got the serve back, hit another drive Z to the left and got a point to tie the game 10-10. Rojas went on to win it, 12-10, and it looked like he'd changed the momentum in the match, as he seemed to have found a serve that was working against Beltran.
However, Rojas didn't hit that serve very often in the next two games. To be fair, he didn't many serves at all in game three, which Beltran won 11-2. But it was surprising that Rojas didn't try to use that drive Z serve more in the match.
Top seed Rocky Carson defeated Mauricio Zelada in three straight games, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3. Zelada competed hard though, and he made several diving gets and put the ball on the get.
In fact, Zelada put in a early bid for shot of the tournament. Carson had hit a pinch to the front right corner that was up a bit, and Zelada went and got it by diving front right to left towards the front left corner and hit the ball with his backhand for a pinch roll out. Zelada ended up with his nose against the left wall almost in the corner. Carson acknowledged the good play with a racquet clap: his left hand against the face of his racquet.
In one of the matches we were eagerly anticipating, Jose Rojas pretty much had his way with Nick Montalbano, winning in three straight games, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6. They were tied at 6-6 in the third, but Rojas was just too strong on the day, and held Montalbano at six to finish off the game and match.
The main draw of 16 continues and the quarter finals will begin at 4 PM EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3
Javier Moreno d. Brad Schopieray, 11-2, 11-9, 11-3
Anthony Herrera d. Jose Diaz, 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6
Chris Crowther d. Agustin Tristan
Jose Rojas d. Nick Montalbano, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6
Ben Croft d. Joe Palazzo, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9
Alejandro Landa d. Andy Hawthorne, 4-11, 11-0, 11-6, 11-4
Alvaro Beltran d. Marco Rojas, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-7
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson v. Javier Moreno
Chris Crowther v. Anthony Herrera
Jose Rojas v. Ben Croft
Alvaro Beltran v. Alejandro Landa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 10, 2013
IRT - New York Temperature Controls Preliminary Results
Only a couple of upsets in the preliminary rounds at the New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am in Syosset, New York, which is the sixth event of the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season.
The biggest upset was by Joe Palazzo who got a forfeit win over Juan Herrera to reach the Round of 16 - the only lower seeded player to get into the 16s. That came after Palazzo defeated Andree Parrilla, 6-11, 11-6, 4-11, 12-10, 11-3, in the second round of qualifying.
John Behm was one of the other upset winners, as he first defeated Alex Winter, 0-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4, and then won a five game battle against Arthur Schmeiser, 13-11, 8-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7. However, Behm missed out on getting to the Round of 16, as he lost his final qualifying match to Agustin Tristan, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9.
Also, Robert Collins upset Lee Connell, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2, in the first round of qualifying but then fell to Marco Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4. Rojas will face Alvaro Beltran in the Round of 16 on Friday.
Regardless of those upsets, the Round of 16 matches that we most anticipated have been set up: Alejandro Landa will play Andy Hawthorne, Brad Schopieray is up against Javier Moreno, Anthony Herrera faces Jose Diaz, and Nick Montalbano goes up against Jose Rojas.
The main draw of 16 will begin Friday at 10 AM EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Preliminary Draw Round 3
Q8: Mauricio Zelada d, Luis Reveron, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5
Q1: Brad Schopieray d. Spencer Shoemaker, 11-9, 11-0, 9-11, 11-1
Q4: Jose Diaz d. Cesar Castillo, 4-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-3
Q5: Agustin Tristan d. John Behm, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9
Q6: Nick Montalbano d. Andrew Gale, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5
Q3: Joe Palazzo d. Juan Herrera, forfeit
Q2: Alejandro Landa d. Eric Muller, 13-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9
Q7: Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4
Round of 16
Rocky Carson v. Mauricio Zelada
Javier Moreno v. Brad Schopieray
Anthony Herrera v. Jose Diaz
Chris Crowther v. Agustin Tristan
Jose Rojas v. Nick Montalbano
Ben Croft v. Joe Palazzo
Andy Hawthorne v. Alejandro Landa
Alvaro Beltran v. Marco Rojas
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Luis Reveron d. Nicolas Bousquet, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7
Mauricio Zelada d. Jonathan Clay, 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6
Spencer Shoemaker d. Mitch Posner, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0
Cesar Castillo d. Alec Wasilonsky, 11-6, 11-3, 11-0
John Behm d. Arthur Schmeiser, 13-11, 8-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7
Agustin Tristan d. Tom Keogh, 11-6, 11-4, 11-2
Andrew Gale d. John Wolfe, 11-4, 11-4, 11-0
Nick Montalbano d. Pedro Castro, 11-2, 11-4, 11-1
Joe Palazzo d. Andree Parrilla, 6-11, 11-6, 4-11, 12-10, 11-3
Eric Muller d. Andrew Kopf, 11-0, 11-6, 11-5
Marco Rojas d. Samuel Murray, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
Robert Collins d. Lee Connell, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2
Preliminary Draw Round 1
John Behm d. Alex Winter, 0-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4
Pedro Castro d. Abraham Cardenas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
The biggest upset was by Joe Palazzo who got a forfeit win over Juan Herrera to reach the Round of 16 - the only lower seeded player to get into the 16s. That came after Palazzo defeated Andree Parrilla, 6-11, 11-6, 4-11, 12-10, 11-3, in the second round of qualifying.
John Behm was one of the other upset winners, as he first defeated Alex Winter, 0-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4, and then won a five game battle against Arthur Schmeiser, 13-11, 8-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7. However, Behm missed out on getting to the Round of 16, as he lost his final qualifying match to Agustin Tristan, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9.
Also, Robert Collins upset Lee Connell, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2, in the first round of qualifying but then fell to Marco Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4. Rojas will face Alvaro Beltran in the Round of 16 on Friday.
Regardless of those upsets, the Round of 16 matches that we most anticipated have been set up: Alejandro Landa will play Andy Hawthorne, Brad Schopieray is up against Javier Moreno, Anthony Herrera faces Jose Diaz, and Nick Montalbano goes up against Jose Rojas.
The main draw of 16 will begin Friday at 10 AM EST in Syosset, New York and can be viewed via the IRT Network.
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Preliminary Draw Round 3
Q8: Mauricio Zelada d, Luis Reveron, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5
Q1: Brad Schopieray d. Spencer Shoemaker, 11-9, 11-0, 9-11, 11-1
Q4: Jose Diaz d. Cesar Castillo, 4-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-3
Q5: Agustin Tristan d. John Behm, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9
Q6: Nick Montalbano d. Andrew Gale, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5
Q3: Joe Palazzo d. Juan Herrera, forfeit
Q2: Alejandro Landa d. Eric Muller, 13-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9
Q7: Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4
Round of 16
Rocky Carson v. Mauricio Zelada
Javier Moreno v. Brad Schopieray
Anthony Herrera v. Jose Diaz
Chris Crowther v. Agustin Tristan
Jose Rojas v. Nick Montalbano
Ben Croft v. Joe Palazzo
Andy Hawthorne v. Alejandro Landa
Alvaro Beltran v. Marco Rojas
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Luis Reveron d. Nicolas Bousquet, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7
Mauricio Zelada d. Jonathan Clay, 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6
Spencer Shoemaker d. Mitch Posner, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0
Cesar Castillo d. Alec Wasilonsky, 11-6, 11-3, 11-0
John Behm d. Arthur Schmeiser, 13-11, 8-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7
Agustin Tristan d. Tom Keogh, 11-6, 11-4, 11-2
Andrew Gale d. John Wolfe, 11-4, 11-4, 11-0
Nick Montalbano d. Pedro Castro, 11-2, 11-4, 11-1
Joe Palazzo d. Andree Parrilla, 6-11, 11-6, 4-11, 12-10, 11-3
Eric Muller d. Andrew Kopf, 11-0, 11-6, 11-5
Marco Rojas d. Samuel Murray, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
Robert Collins d. Lee Connell, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2
Preliminary Draw Round 1
John Behm d. Alex Winter, 0-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4
Pedro Castro d. Abraham Cardenas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT - New York Pro-Am - Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is back in action this weekend with the New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am in Syosset, New York. This is the sixth IRT event of the 2012-13 season.
Sadly, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will be missing from New York, as he reinjured his knee in last weekend's California Open, so he'll be sitting out for the second time in the last three IRT events.
But he's not the only top 10 player missing in action, as Shane Vanderson, who also wasn't in California last weekend, and Tony Carson aren't in Syosset.
A couple of the qualifying matches look interesting, although there are three rounds of qualifying so in highlighting these two matches assumes the players win their first matches. Arthur Schmeiser looks to face Agustin Trisan and Marco Rojas will likely be up against Lee Connell.
There are certainly a few potential Round of 16 matches that pique our interest. Alejandro Landa reached the semi-finals last weekend for the first time in his career and took a game off of Waselenchuk, so how's he going to follow that up? Andy Hawthorne will be Landa's opponent in the 16s.
At last month's New Jersey Open, Nick Montalbano made his first career semi-final, so he'll be looking to do that again or more, and Jose Rojas will be standing in his way in the Round of 16.
Assuming Brad Schopieray comes through qualifying he'll be up against veteran Javier Moreno in what would be a battle of two left-handers: a young up and comer in Schopieray and a wily veteran in Moreno.
Finally, IRT #12 Anthony Herrera and will likely face Jose Diaz, one of the Stockton, California crew, in what will looks to be another good battle.
Preliminary play begins Thursday January 10 in Syosset, New York with the main draw of 16 set to go on Friday at 10 AM EST.
Last Year's Results
Because the IRT rankings run on a 12 month cycle, the points players earned at last year's New York Pro-Am will lapse after this weekend. So, those points need to be replaced with performances this year. If a player doesn't perform as well as he did last year, they could drop points (there is a clause for dropping a player's two worst performances).
Thus, you should keep in mind how players did last year, so here's last year's results from the quarter-finals on.
Final: Rocky Carson d. Kane Waselenchuk
Semi-finals: Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas and Carson d. Chris Crowther
Quarter finals: Waselenchuk d. Shane Vanderson, Rojas d. Alvaro Beltran, Crowther d. Polo Gutierrez and Carson d. Andy Hawthorne
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Preliminary Draw Round 1
Alex Winter v. John Behm
Pedro Castro v. Abraham Cardenas
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Luis Reveron v. Nicolas Bousquet
Mauricio Zelada v. Jonathan Clay
Mitch Posner v. Spencer Shoemaker
Cesar Castillo v. Alec Wasilonsky
Arthur Schmeiser v. Alex Winter or John Behm
Agustin Tristan v. Tom Keogh
Andrew Gale v. John Wolfe
Nick Montalbano v. Pedro Castro or Abraham Cardenas
Andree Parrilla v. Joe Palazzo
Eric Muller v. Andrew Kopf
Marco Rojas v. Samuel Murray
Lee Connell v. Robert Collins
Preliminary Draw Round 3
Q8: Luis Reveron or Nicolas Bousquet v. Mauricio Zelada or Jonathan Clay
Q1: Brad Schopieray v. Mitch Posner or Spencer Shoemaker
Q4: Jose Diaz v. Cesar Castillo or Alec Wasilonsky
Q5: Arthur Schmeiser or Alex Winter or John Behm v. Agustin Tristan or Tom Keogh
Q6: Andrew Gale or John Wolfe v. Nick Montalbano or Pedro Castro or Abraham Cardenas
Q3: Juan Herrera v. Andree Parrilla or Joe Palazzo
Q2: Alejandro Landa v. Eric Muller or Andrew Kopf
Q7: Marco Rojas or Samuel Murray v. Lee Connell or Robert Collins
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson v. Q8
Javier Moreno v. Q1
Anthony Herrera v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Jose Rojas v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Andy Hawthorne v. Q2
Alvaro Beltran v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sadly, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will be missing from New York, as he reinjured his knee in last weekend's California Open, so he'll be sitting out for the second time in the last three IRT events.
But he's not the only top 10 player missing in action, as Shane Vanderson, who also wasn't in California last weekend, and Tony Carson aren't in Syosset.
A couple of the qualifying matches look interesting, although there are three rounds of qualifying so in highlighting these two matches assumes the players win their first matches. Arthur Schmeiser looks to face Agustin Trisan and Marco Rojas will likely be up against Lee Connell.
There are certainly a few potential Round of 16 matches that pique our interest. Alejandro Landa reached the semi-finals last weekend for the first time in his career and took a game off of Waselenchuk, so how's he going to follow that up? Andy Hawthorne will be Landa's opponent in the 16s.
At last month's New Jersey Open, Nick Montalbano made his first career semi-final, so he'll be looking to do that again or more, and Jose Rojas will be standing in his way in the Round of 16.
Assuming Brad Schopieray comes through qualifying he'll be up against veteran Javier Moreno in what would be a battle of two left-handers: a young up and comer in Schopieray and a wily veteran in Moreno.
Finally, IRT #12 Anthony Herrera and will likely face Jose Diaz, one of the Stockton, California crew, in what will looks to be another good battle.
Preliminary play begins Thursday January 10 in Syosset, New York with the main draw of 16 set to go on Friday at 10 AM EST.
Last Year's Results
Because the IRT rankings run on a 12 month cycle, the points players earned at last year's New York Pro-Am will lapse after this weekend. So, those points need to be replaced with performances this year. If a player doesn't perform as well as he did last year, they could drop points (there is a clause for dropping a player's two worst performances).
Thus, you should keep in mind how players did last year, so here's last year's results from the quarter-finals on.
Final: Rocky Carson d. Kane Waselenchuk
Semi-finals: Waselenchuk d. Jose Rojas and Carson d. Chris Crowther
Quarter finals: Waselenchuk d. Shane Vanderson, Rojas d. Alvaro Beltran, Crowther d. Polo Gutierrez and Carson d. Andy Hawthorne
New York Temperature Controls Pro-Am - January 10-13, 2013
Syosset, New York
Preliminary Draw Round 1
Alex Winter v. John Behm
Pedro Castro v. Abraham Cardenas
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Luis Reveron v. Nicolas Bousquet
Mauricio Zelada v. Jonathan Clay
Mitch Posner v. Spencer Shoemaker
Cesar Castillo v. Alec Wasilonsky
Arthur Schmeiser v. Alex Winter or John Behm
Agustin Tristan v. Tom Keogh
Andrew Gale v. John Wolfe
Nick Montalbano v. Pedro Castro or Abraham Cardenas
Andree Parrilla v. Joe Palazzo
Eric Muller v. Andrew Kopf
Marco Rojas v. Samuel Murray
Lee Connell v. Robert Collins
Preliminary Draw Round 3
Q8: Luis Reveron or Nicolas Bousquet v. Mauricio Zelada or Jonathan Clay
Q1: Brad Schopieray v. Mitch Posner or Spencer Shoemaker
Q4: Jose Diaz v. Cesar Castillo or Alec Wasilonsky
Q5: Arthur Schmeiser or Alex Winter or John Behm v. Agustin Tristan or Tom Keogh
Q6: Andrew Gale or John Wolfe v. Nick Montalbano or Pedro Castro or Abraham Cardenas
Q3: Juan Herrera v. Andree Parrilla or Joe Palazzo
Q2: Alejandro Landa v. Eric Muller or Andrew Kopf
Q7: Marco Rojas or Samuel Murray v. Lee Connell or Robert Collins
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson v. Q8
Javier Moreno v. Q1
Anthony Herrera v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Jose Rojas v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Andy Hawthorne v. Q2
Alvaro Beltran v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
IRT Rankings - January 8, 2013
No changes in the latest top 10 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings, although some of the differences in points between players have decreased. For example, there's now fewer than 300 points between IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and #2 Rocky Carson.
With Waselenchuk missing this weekend's New York City Pro-Am due to re-injuring his knee, could Carson overtake him by winning the event? Probably not, because rankings are based on 12 months of play, and Carson won the New York City event last year, when Waselenchuk had to default in the final due to a back injury. Thus, Carson actually has maximum points to defend and if he doesn't win in New York this year he could drop ranking points.
There are a few players in the top 10 with less than 100 points separating them, including #4 Jose Rojas and #5 Chris Crowther (57 points), #6 Shane Vanderson and #7 Ben Croft (93 points), Croft and #8 Tony Carson (97 points), and #9 Andy Hawthorne and #10 Javier Morneo (18 points).
A better performance in New York for the lower ranked player than the higher ranked player could mean their order is reversed come next week.
There's been some movement of players in the 11-20 spots, and differences there are also close. All that could make for some interesting qualifying matches on Thursday.
Anthony Herrera in 12th is only three points behind Charlie Pratt, who is out trying to recuperate from a case of tendonitis in his ankle.
Alejandro (Alex) Landa has moved up to 14th based on his semi-final finish in California last weekend putting him only six points behind Brad Schopieray in 13th and only a little ahead of Daniel De La Rosa in 15th.
The IRT's New York City Pro-Am begins tomorrow - January 10, and runs through the weekend at the Synergy Fitness Club in Syosset, New York.
IRT Rankings - 8 January 2013
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3860
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3563
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 3138
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2261
5 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 2204
7 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 2000
6 Ben CROFT (USA) 1907
8 Tony CARSON (USA) 1810
9 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 1337
10 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1319
11 Charlie PRATT (USA) 1022
12 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 1019
14 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 830
17 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 825
15 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 753
13 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 750
16 Ruben GONZALEZ (USA) 711
18 Polo GUTIERREZ (Mexico) 711
20 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 710
19 Jose DIAZ (USA) 604
Follow the bouncing ball....
With Waselenchuk missing this weekend's New York City Pro-Am due to re-injuring his knee, could Carson overtake him by winning the event? Probably not, because rankings are based on 12 months of play, and Carson won the New York City event last year, when Waselenchuk had to default in the final due to a back injury. Thus, Carson actually has maximum points to defend and if he doesn't win in New York this year he could drop ranking points.
There are a few players in the top 10 with less than 100 points separating them, including #4 Jose Rojas and #5 Chris Crowther (57 points), #6 Shane Vanderson and #7 Ben Croft (93 points), Croft and #8 Tony Carson (97 points), and #9 Andy Hawthorne and #10 Javier Morneo (18 points).
A better performance in New York for the lower ranked player than the higher ranked player could mean their order is reversed come next week.
There's been some movement of players in the 11-20 spots, and differences there are also close. All that could make for some interesting qualifying matches on Thursday.
Anthony Herrera in 12th is only three points behind Charlie Pratt, who is out trying to recuperate from a case of tendonitis in his ankle.
Alejandro (Alex) Landa has moved up to 14th based on his semi-final finish in California last weekend putting him only six points behind Brad Schopieray in 13th and only a little ahead of Daniel De La Rosa in 15th.
The IRT's New York City Pro-Am begins tomorrow - January 10, and runs through the weekend at the Synergy Fitness Club in Syosset, New York.
IRT Rankings - 8 January 2013
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3860
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3563
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 3138
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2261
5 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 2204
7 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 2000
6 Ben CROFT (USA) 1907
8 Tony CARSON (USA) 1810
9 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 1337
10 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1319
11 Charlie PRATT (USA) 1022
12 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 1019
14 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 830
17 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 825
15 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 753
13 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 750
16 Ruben GONZALEZ (USA) 711
18 Polo GUTIERREZ (Mexico) 711
20 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 710
19 Jose DIAZ (USA) 604
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Most competitive IRT event ever?
Last weekend's Coast to Coast California Open may have been the most competitive International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event ever. It's certainly the most competitive one in the last four and a half seasons, the time that The Racquetball Blog has been around.
That judgment is based on the number of matches that went a full five games. Eight matches from the Round of 16 to the Final went tie-breaker, which is more than any other tournament since (at least) 2008. That is, over half of the main draw matches went five games (there are 15 matches played from the Round of 16 on). Five is the most tie-breakers in an event previously during that period, and that happened three times (in Kansas City last season, San Diego in 2011 and Florida in 2009).
Only four California Open matches were settled in three straight games, which is only the third time that's happened in the last 53 tournaments (Kentucky in 2009 and Chihuahua in 2010, although two matches there were defaults and the score is missing for a Round of 16 match involving the 4th seed).
Also, the final three matches in California (two semi-finals and final) last weekend went at least four games (and two went five), which a rare event too. Only six of the last 53 IRT events (11.3%) have had both semi-finals and final go more than three games.
QWs
For an IRT event to be competitive, there have to be strong players come through qualifying. Last weekend, the 8 qualifying players resulted in four qualifier wins or QWs.
Leading the way was Alejandro (or Alex) Landa with two wins that put him in his first career semi-final, and in that match he took a game off IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk. A very impressive weekend for him.
Also winning in California after qualifying were Daniel De La Rosa, who beat Chris Crowther, and Javier Moreno, who won the 8/9 game against Andy Hawthorne.
All this competitiveness must be very pleasing to IRT President Jason Mannino, who was quite a competitive player himself, because a more competitive event is a more attractive event.
Follow the bouncing ball….
That judgment is based on the number of matches that went a full five games. Eight matches from the Round of 16 to the Final went tie-breaker, which is more than any other tournament since (at least) 2008. That is, over half of the main draw matches went five games (there are 15 matches played from the Round of 16 on). Five is the most tie-breakers in an event previously during that period, and that happened three times (in Kansas City last season, San Diego in 2011 and Florida in 2009).
Only four California Open matches were settled in three straight games, which is only the third time that's happened in the last 53 tournaments (Kentucky in 2009 and Chihuahua in 2010, although two matches there were defaults and the score is missing for a Round of 16 match involving the 4th seed).
Also, the final three matches in California (two semi-finals and final) last weekend went at least four games (and two went five), which a rare event too. Only six of the last 53 IRT events (11.3%) have had both semi-finals and final go more than three games.
QWs
For an IRT event to be competitive, there have to be strong players come through qualifying. Last weekend, the 8 qualifying players resulted in four qualifier wins or QWs.
Leading the way was Alejandro (or Alex) Landa with two wins that put him in his first career semi-final, and in that match he took a game off IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk. A very impressive weekend for him.
Also winning in California after qualifying were Daniel De La Rosa, who beat Chris Crowther, and Javier Moreno, who won the 8/9 game against Andy Hawthorne.
All this competitiveness must be very pleasing to IRT President Jason Mannino, who was quite a competitive player himself, because a more competitive event is a more attractive event.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 7, 2013
Weekend Round Up - Wins by Rojas, Vargas & Harmon
Marco Rojas won the Men's Open title on the weekend at the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California. He defeated Jose Diaz, 15-13, 13-15, 11-8, in what was a repeat of the 2012 World Junior U18 final in November that Rojas also won.
In the semi-finals, Rojas defeated Matthew Majxner, 10-15, 15-8, 11-8, and Diaz beat David Horn, 15-13, 15-7.
The Men's Open Doubles title went to Polo Gutierrez and Alejandro Landa, who defeated Greg Solis and Scott Davis, 15-5, 15-9 in the final. Gutierrez and Landa beat Cliff Swain and Mike Ledge in the semi-finals, 15-6, 15-9, while Solis and Davis beat Stephen Henderson and John Oxford in the other semi-final, 15-5, 15-10.
The Women's Open/Elite title went to Maria Jose Vargas, who was undefeated in a five player round robin. Janel Tisinger was runner-up with Hailey Miller third.
Harbor Island Open
Mike Harmon won the Harbor Island Open in Tampa, Florida on the weekend. Harmon defeated Wesley Miller, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7, in the final. Both Harmon and Miller needed tie-breakers to win their respective semi-final matches. Harmon beat Scott Gargasz, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-4, in one semi and Miller defeated Francisco Troncoso, 11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-5, in the other.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Men's Open
Final
Marco Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 15-13, 13-15, 11-8
Semi-finals
Marco Rojas d. Matthew Majxner, 10-15, 15-8, 11-8
Jose Diaz d. David Horn, 15-13, 15-7
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa d. Greg Solis & Scott Davis, 15-5, 15-9
Semi-finals
Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa d. Cliff Swain & Mike Ledge, 15-6, 15-9
Greg Solis & Scott Davis d. Stephen Henderson & John Oxford, 15-5, 15-10
Women's Open/Elite
1. Maria Jose Vargas
2. Janel Tisinger
3. Hailey Miller
4. Rebecca Nielsen
5. Mary Scaran
2013 Harbor Island Open - Tampa, Florida
Final
Mike Harmon d. Wesley Miller, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7
Semi-finals
Mike Harmon d. Scott Gargasz, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-4
Wesley Miller d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball....
In the semi-finals, Rojas defeated Matthew Majxner, 10-15, 15-8, 11-8, and Diaz beat David Horn, 15-13, 15-7.
The Men's Open Doubles title went to Polo Gutierrez and Alejandro Landa, who defeated Greg Solis and Scott Davis, 15-5, 15-9 in the final. Gutierrez and Landa beat Cliff Swain and Mike Ledge in the semi-finals, 15-6, 15-9, while Solis and Davis beat Stephen Henderson and John Oxford in the other semi-final, 15-5, 15-10.
The Women's Open/Elite title went to Maria Jose Vargas, who was undefeated in a five player round robin. Janel Tisinger was runner-up with Hailey Miller third.
Harbor Island Open
Mike Harmon won the Harbor Island Open in Tampa, Florida on the weekend. Harmon defeated Wesley Miller, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7, in the final. Both Harmon and Miller needed tie-breakers to win their respective semi-final matches. Harmon beat Scott Gargasz, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-4, in one semi and Miller defeated Francisco Troncoso, 11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-5, in the other.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Men's Open
Final
Marco Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 15-13, 13-15, 11-8
Semi-finals
Marco Rojas d. Matthew Majxner, 10-15, 15-8, 11-8
Jose Diaz d. David Horn, 15-13, 15-7
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa d. Greg Solis & Scott Davis, 15-5, 15-9
Semi-finals
Polo Gutierrez & Alejandro Landa d. Cliff Swain & Mike Ledge, 15-6, 15-9
Greg Solis & Scott Davis d. Stephen Henderson & John Oxford, 15-5, 15-10
Women's Open/Elite
1. Maria Jose Vargas
2. Janel Tisinger
3. Hailey Miller
4. Rebecca Nielsen
5. Mary Scaran
2013 Harbor Island Open - Tampa, Florida
Final
Mike Harmon d. Wesley Miller, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7
Semi-finals
Mike Harmon d. Scott Gargasz, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-4
Wesley Miller d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, January 6, 2013
IRT - Waselenchuk wins 2013 California Open
Kane Waselenchuk eked out a victory Sunday at the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California, as he defeated Rocky Carson, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, to win the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) first tournament of 2013.
It was four years ago in this event that Waselenchuk last lost a completed match (injury defaults aside), and it looked like that might happen again Sunday as Carson took game one, 13-11. Waselenchuk didn't look to be his best this weekend, dropping two games en route to the final and he also looked a bit shaky early in the final. We counted 10 skips by Waselenchuk in game one, and although some were forced errors that's often as many errors as he makes in a match, not a game.
That said, Waselenchuk did fight off Carson's first game point at 10-9 and then got one of his own at 11-10. But he wasn't able to finish it off.
Carson's service strategy was primarily to use drive and off speed serves to the right side - Waselenchuk's backhand - but setting up just to the right of the drive serve line on the left side of the service box.
The upset looked on as Carson went up 6-0 to start game two. But Waselenchuk dug in, having switched to lob serves to the right side - Carson's forehand, and cut the deficit to 6-5, when Carson called a time out.
That changed nothing as Waselenchuk continued to pile up the points and held Carson at bay winning the game 11-6 on eleven unanswered points. That's the kind of performance that people expect from the IRT's #1 player.
Game three started slowly as they played 10 rallies at 1-1 before Waselenchuk got a point to make it 2-1. He got four more points in quick order to make it 6-1.
This time Carson responded and cut the lead to 6-5 before another stagnation that lasted 10 rallies, ending with a point for Carson after Waselenchuk skipped a backhand serve return that made it 6-6. Waselenchuk ran the score to 10-6, and was able to close out the game at 11-8.
At that point, you'd be excused for thinking that it was going to be Waselenchuk in four games, as he seemed to have got things sorted out. If you weren't thinking that after the third game, you may well have been thinking it when Waselenchuk went up 6-0 in game four.
However, Carson is a never say die type of player, and he got a couple points back and then gave up a couple points to put Waselenchuk up 8-2. After several rallies at 8-3, Carson got a point to make it 8-4, and then in the course of 11 rallies won the game.
It was a colossal change of momentum that resulted in a fifth game tie-breaker.
The tie-breaker was close all the way with neither player having more than a two point advantage until the end. Then at 5-3 for Carson, Waselenchuk seemed to injure himself or perhaps more severely feel the effects of the knee injury that kept him out of last month's New Jersey Open.
After that Waselenchuk clearly seemed to labor at times, especially moving to the left. However, he seemed to respond by trying to shoot the ball more accurately, so that he needn't move as much.
And there were a few rallies where Carson helped Waselenchuk out by skipping a shot that seemed to be very makable without the need for anything spectacular. Combined with Waselenchuk's extra attention to detail was enough for Waselenchuk to pull out game five 11-8 and win the match.
If Carson is the sort of person to regret missed opportunities, he might be having some regret tonight, as Waselenchuk never seemed to have his 'A' game during the match, and didn't seem to be 100% physically in game five. Thus, the situation seemed set up for an upset.
But the mark of a true champion is to win when you're not at your best, and that's exactly what Waselenchuk did.
The IRT will be back in action on the east coast next weekend with the New York Pro-Am in Syosset, N.Y. Play begins on Thursday January 10, 2013.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
It was four years ago in this event that Waselenchuk last lost a completed match (injury defaults aside), and it looked like that might happen again Sunday as Carson took game one, 13-11. Waselenchuk didn't look to be his best this weekend, dropping two games en route to the final and he also looked a bit shaky early in the final. We counted 10 skips by Waselenchuk in game one, and although some were forced errors that's often as many errors as he makes in a match, not a game.
That said, Waselenchuk did fight off Carson's first game point at 10-9 and then got one of his own at 11-10. But he wasn't able to finish it off.
Carson's service strategy was primarily to use drive and off speed serves to the right side - Waselenchuk's backhand - but setting up just to the right of the drive serve line on the left side of the service box.
The upset looked on as Carson went up 6-0 to start game two. But Waselenchuk dug in, having switched to lob serves to the right side - Carson's forehand, and cut the deficit to 6-5, when Carson called a time out.
That changed nothing as Waselenchuk continued to pile up the points and held Carson at bay winning the game 11-6 on eleven unanswered points. That's the kind of performance that people expect from the IRT's #1 player.
Game three started slowly as they played 10 rallies at 1-1 before Waselenchuk got a point to make it 2-1. He got four more points in quick order to make it 6-1.
This time Carson responded and cut the lead to 6-5 before another stagnation that lasted 10 rallies, ending with a point for Carson after Waselenchuk skipped a backhand serve return that made it 6-6. Waselenchuk ran the score to 10-6, and was able to close out the game at 11-8.
At that point, you'd be excused for thinking that it was going to be Waselenchuk in four games, as he seemed to have got things sorted out. If you weren't thinking that after the third game, you may well have been thinking it when Waselenchuk went up 6-0 in game four.
However, Carson is a never say die type of player, and he got a couple points back and then gave up a couple points to put Waselenchuk up 8-2. After several rallies at 8-3, Carson got a point to make it 8-4, and then in the course of 11 rallies won the game.
It was a colossal change of momentum that resulted in a fifth game tie-breaker.
The tie-breaker was close all the way with neither player having more than a two point advantage until the end. Then at 5-3 for Carson, Waselenchuk seemed to injure himself or perhaps more severely feel the effects of the knee injury that kept him out of last month's New Jersey Open.
After that Waselenchuk clearly seemed to labor at times, especially moving to the left. However, he seemed to respond by trying to shoot the ball more accurately, so that he needn't move as much.
And there were a few rallies where Carson helped Waselenchuk out by skipping a shot that seemed to be very makable without the need for anything spectacular. Combined with Waselenchuk's extra attention to detail was enough for Waselenchuk to pull out game five 11-8 and win the match.
If Carson is the sort of person to regret missed opportunities, he might be having some regret tonight, as Waselenchuk never seemed to have his 'A' game during the match, and didn't seem to be 100% physically in game five. Thus, the situation seemed set up for an upset.
But the mark of a true champion is to win when you're not at your best, and that's exactly what Waselenchuk did.
The IRT will be back in action on the east coast next weekend with the New York Pro-Am in Syosset, N.Y. Play begins on Thursday January 10, 2013.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, January 5, 2013
IRT - 2013 California Open - Waselenchuk & Carson to meet in final
Kane Waselenchuk and Rocky Carson will meet Sunday in the final of the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California, as they won their respective semi-finals Saturday. Waselenchuk - the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) #1 player - defeated Alex Landa, 11-2, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, and Carson, the IRT's #2, beat IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran in five games, 5-11, 11-4, 5-11, 12-10, 11-5.
Waselenchuk won the first game against Landa easily, but in game two he and Landa were back and forth early on. Then Waselenchuk pulled ahead to lead 7-4 and extended his lead to 10-5.
But Landa dug in and scored three points to make it 10-8 before Waselenchuk finished off it off at 11-8.
Landa used that momentum in game four, as he took an early lead at 3-1. But Waselenchuk drew level at 6-6. However, Landa continued to battle going out to an 8-7 lead and then winning it 11-7. Landa was full measure for the win, although game point was off a Waselenchuk backhand skip at about 6' from the front wall. An uncharacteristic unforced error.
But in game four, Waselenchuk returned to form and won it going away, 11-3.
The loss ended Landa's fine run through the draw. Many have speculated who the successor to Waselenchuk will be - though everyone acknowledges that successor will have some time to wait before any such succession happens.
Two names mentioned as potential successors are Jose Rojas and Daniel De La Rosa. Landa beat them both on Friday, which suggests that he could be one of the players to watch and maybe even take over the top spot when the time comes.
In the other semi-final, Carson dropped two of the first three games against Beltran, so his back was against the wall in game four. The players were neck and neck in that game, tied at 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10.
Carson got to 10 first, leading 10-8. But he was not able to finish it before Beltran scored two points to tie it up and put himself two points away from the first final of 2013.
However, Carson held Beltran at 10 and scored two of his own to force the deciding fifth game tie-breaker. Carson was in control through that game, getting a 4-2 lead and then adding three points to make it 7-2. Beltran tried to come back and did make it 7-5. But that was a much as he could get as the former #1 finished off the game and match at 11-5.
The IRT Network will web-cast the California Open final at noon PST on Sunday.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Alex Landa, 11-2, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3
Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 5-11, 11-4, 5-11, 12-10, 11-5
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Rocky Carson - Noon Sunday PST
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk won the first game against Landa easily, but in game two he and Landa were back and forth early on. Then Waselenchuk pulled ahead to lead 7-4 and extended his lead to 10-5.
But Landa dug in and scored three points to make it 10-8 before Waselenchuk finished off it off at 11-8.
Landa used that momentum in game four, as he took an early lead at 3-1. But Waselenchuk drew level at 6-6. However, Landa continued to battle going out to an 8-7 lead and then winning it 11-7. Landa was full measure for the win, although game point was off a Waselenchuk backhand skip at about 6' from the front wall. An uncharacteristic unforced error.
But in game four, Waselenchuk returned to form and won it going away, 11-3.
The loss ended Landa's fine run through the draw. Many have speculated who the successor to Waselenchuk will be - though everyone acknowledges that successor will have some time to wait before any such succession happens.
Two names mentioned as potential successors are Jose Rojas and Daniel De La Rosa. Landa beat them both on Friday, which suggests that he could be one of the players to watch and maybe even take over the top spot when the time comes.
In the other semi-final, Carson dropped two of the first three games against Beltran, so his back was against the wall in game four. The players were neck and neck in that game, tied at 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10.
Carson got to 10 first, leading 10-8. But he was not able to finish it before Beltran scored two points to tie it up and put himself two points away from the first final of 2013.
However, Carson held Beltran at 10 and scored two of his own to force the deciding fifth game tie-breaker. Carson was in control through that game, getting a 4-2 lead and then adding three points to make it 7-2. Beltran tried to come back and did make it 7-5. But that was a much as he could get as the former #1 finished off the game and match at 11-5.
The IRT Network will web-cast the California Open final at noon PST on Sunday.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Alex Landa, 11-2, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3
Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 5-11, 11-4, 5-11, 12-10, 11-5
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Rocky Carson - Noon Sunday PST
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT - 2013 California Open - Quarter finals
The top three seeds have made it to the semi-finals at the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California, but only the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) #1 player - Kane Waselenchuk - won his semi in three straight games. Both #2 Rocky Carson and #3 Alvaro Beltran needed tie-breakers to win their quarter final matches.
Rocky Carson lost the first two games of his match against Tony Carson - no relation - but came back to win it in five games, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2.
Carson will play Beltran in the semis, and Beltran also played a five game match in the quarters, where he beat Ben Croft, 11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3. Both players were drive serving and primarily to the left side - their opponent's backhand. Although on the match winning point, Beltran drove serve to the right side and the ball cracked out at the five foot line for an ace.
In the last quarter final of the day, Alex Landa defeated Daniel De La Rosa in five games, 11-13, 11-8, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9. Landa was down 9-3 in the tie-breaker but came back with eight straight points to win it, and reach his first career semi-final.
Landa will play Waselenchuk, who defeated Mexican Javier Moreno, 11-2, 11-0, 11-8, in a battle of two left-handed players.
The IRT Network is web-casting California Open semi-finals and final. The first semi-final will be at 4 PM PST Saturday with the second to follow at 5 PM PST or immediately after the conclusion of the first semi. The final will be noon PST on Sunday.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Quarter-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Javier Moreno, 11-2, 11-0, 11-8
Daniel De La Rosa v. Alex Landa
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft, 11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Daniel De La Rosa or Alex Landa - 5 PM PST
Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM PST
Follow the bouncing ball....
Rocky Carson lost the first two games of his match against Tony Carson - no relation - but came back to win it in five games, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2.
Carson will play Beltran in the semis, and Beltran also played a five game match in the quarters, where he beat Ben Croft, 11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3. Both players were drive serving and primarily to the left side - their opponent's backhand. Although on the match winning point, Beltran drove serve to the right side and the ball cracked out at the five foot line for an ace.
In the last quarter final of the day, Alex Landa defeated Daniel De La Rosa in five games, 11-13, 11-8, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9. Landa was down 9-3 in the tie-breaker but came back with eight straight points to win it, and reach his first career semi-final.
Landa will play Waselenchuk, who defeated Mexican Javier Moreno, 11-2, 11-0, 11-8, in a battle of two left-handed players.
The IRT Network is web-casting California Open semi-finals and final. The first semi-final will be at 4 PM PST Saturday with the second to follow at 5 PM PST or immediately after the conclusion of the first semi. The final will be noon PST on Sunday.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Quarter-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Javier Moreno, 11-2, 11-0, 11-8
Daniel De La Rosa v. Alex Landa
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft, 11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Daniel De La Rosa or Alex Landa - 5 PM PST
Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM PST
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, January 4, 2013
IRT - 2013 California Open Round of 16
Two major upsets in the in the Round of 16 at the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California, as Alex Landa defeated the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) #4 player Jose Rojas, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8, and Daniel De La Rosa beat #5 Chris Crowther, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3.
Moreover, Landa and De La Rosa will play each other in the quarter finals with the winner advancing to the semi-finals, and that will be the first career semi-final for each player.
Earlier Marco Rojas surprised IRT #1, Kane Waselenchuk, by winning the first game of their match, 11-5. Indeed, Rojas stormed out to a 8-0 lead before Waselenchuk got on the board.
But in the end Waselenchuk showed why he's the #1 player by limiting Rojas to six points over the next three games, and winning the match 5-11, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4. Waselenchuk was playing his first competitive match in about two months as he missed the New Jersey Open last month, so perhaps he was just a little off at the beginning of the match. But Rojas played well, including hitting some drive serve aces to Waselenchuk's backhand.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson won his match with relative ease, as he defeated Jansen Allen in three straight games, 11-3, 11-8, 11-5. Carson will play Tony Carson - no relation - in the quarter finals later on Friday, as T. Carson defeated Anthony Herrera, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2, 11-5, in the 16s.
But #3 Alvaro Betlran had his hands full with fellow Mexican Polo Gutierrez, as Gutierrez took the first two games from Beltran 11-1, 11-4. But Beltran cranked up his drive serve and responded with two wins of his own 11-6, and 11-2 to force a tie-breaker.
In that tie-breaker, Beltran went out to a lead at 4-0. Gutierrez held firm there for a few rallies, and they exchanged points to make it 5-1, when Beltran broke through to take a 10-1 advantage. But Gutierrez didn't roll over and got a few points to make it 10-5. Beltran won it on the 6th match point by drive serving left, which Gutierrez returned to the right and Beltran laid out to hit a pinch that rolled out of the front right corner to make the final score 11-5.
The Round of 16 continues in Reseda, California, and the IRT Network is web-casting California Open matches throughout the tournament. The first quarter final match will be at 4 PM PST.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Marco Rojas, 5-11, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4
Javier Moreno d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-4, 9-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9
Daniel De La Rosa d. Chris Crowther, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3
Alex Landa d. Jose Rojas, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8
Alvaro Beltran d. Polo Gutierrez, 4-11, 1-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-5
Ben Croft d. Brad Schopieray, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10
Tony Carson d. Anthony Herrera, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2, 11-5
Rocky Carson d. Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-8, 11-5
Quarter-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Javier Moreno
Alex Landa v. Daniel De La Rosa
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
Moreover, Landa and De La Rosa will play each other in the quarter finals with the winner advancing to the semi-finals, and that will be the first career semi-final for each player.
Earlier Marco Rojas surprised IRT #1, Kane Waselenchuk, by winning the first game of their match, 11-5. Indeed, Rojas stormed out to a 8-0 lead before Waselenchuk got on the board.
But in the end Waselenchuk showed why he's the #1 player by limiting Rojas to six points over the next three games, and winning the match 5-11, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4. Waselenchuk was playing his first competitive match in about two months as he missed the New Jersey Open last month, so perhaps he was just a little off at the beginning of the match. But Rojas played well, including hitting some drive serve aces to Waselenchuk's backhand.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson won his match with relative ease, as he defeated Jansen Allen in three straight games, 11-3, 11-8, 11-5. Carson will play Tony Carson - no relation - in the quarter finals later on Friday, as T. Carson defeated Anthony Herrera, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2, 11-5, in the 16s.
But #3 Alvaro Betlran had his hands full with fellow Mexican Polo Gutierrez, as Gutierrez took the first two games from Beltran 11-1, 11-4. But Beltran cranked up his drive serve and responded with two wins of his own 11-6, and 11-2 to force a tie-breaker.
In that tie-breaker, Beltran went out to a lead at 4-0. Gutierrez held firm there for a few rallies, and they exchanged points to make it 5-1, when Beltran broke through to take a 10-1 advantage. But Gutierrez didn't roll over and got a few points to make it 10-5. Beltran won it on the 6th match point by drive serving left, which Gutierrez returned to the right and Beltran laid out to hit a pinch that rolled out of the front right corner to make the final score 11-5.
The Round of 16 continues in Reseda, California, and the IRT Network is web-casting California Open matches throughout the tournament. The first quarter final match will be at 4 PM PST.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Marco Rojas, 5-11, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4
Javier Moreno d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-4, 9-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9
Daniel De La Rosa d. Chris Crowther, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3
Alex Landa d. Jose Rojas, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8
Alvaro Beltran d. Polo Gutierrez, 4-11, 1-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-5
Ben Croft d. Brad Schopieray, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10
Tony Carson d. Anthony Herrera, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2, 11-5
Rocky Carson d. Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-8, 11-5
Quarter-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Javier Moreno
Alex Landa v. Daniel De La Rosa
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT - 2013 California Open Preliminary Results
As expected Jansen Allen and Jose Diaz had a barn-burner of a match in the final round of qualifying at the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California - the first International Racquetball Tour (IRT) of 2013. They went five games and Allen came out on top, defeating Diaz 6-11, 13-11, 11-2, 4-11, 11-4. Allen will play IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 Friday morning.
Eric Harper upset Arthur Schmeiser, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5, in the second round of qualifying, but then lost to Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-3, 12-10, in the final round. Rojas will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s.
The IRT Network will be web-casting California Open matches on Friday beginning with the Round of 16 at 10 AM PST.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Qualifying Round 3
Q8: Marco Rojas d. Eric Harper, 11-2, 11-3, 12-10
Q1: Javier Moreno d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 1-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-4
Q4: Daniel De La Rosa v. Jose Serrano
Q5: Alex Landa d. Thomas Fuhrmann, forfeit
Q6: Polo Gutierrez d. David Horn, 11-0, 12-10, 11-1
Q3: Brad Schopieray d. Rafael Filippini, 3-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-3
Q2: Anthony Herrera d. Andrew Gale, 11-9, 11-4, 11-1
Q7: Jansen Allen d. Jose Diaz, 6-11, 13-11, 11-2, 4-11, 11-4
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Marco Rojas
Andy Hawthorne v. Javier Moreno
Chris Crowther v. Daniel De La Rosa or Jose Serrano
Jose Rojas v. Alex Landa
Alvaro Beltran v. Polo Gutierrez
Ben Croft v. Brad Schopieray
Tony Carson v. Anthony Herrera
Rocky Carson v. Jansen Allen
Qualifying Round 2
Marco Rojas d. Hank Minardo, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5
Eric Harper d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5
Hiroshi Shimizu d. Tim Prigo, 11-9, 11-5, 12-10
Jose Serrano d. Luis Reveron, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5
Alex Landa d. Aaron Embry, 11-2, 11-5, 11-8
Thomas Fuhrmann d. Matt Majxner, 11-6, 11-8, 0-11, 5-11, 11-7
David Horn d. Mike Orr, 5-11, 11-7, 3-11, 12-10, 11-3
Polo Gutierrez d. Keith Minor, forfeit
Rafael Filippini d. Armondo Bermudez, 11-8, 11-3, 11-9
Andrew Gale d. Cliff Swain, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-0
Jose Diaz d. Majeed Shahin, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4
Jansen Allen d. Felipe Munoz, forfeit
Qualifying Round 1
Aaron Embry d. John Wolfe, 11-1, 11-1, 11-7
Keith Minor d. John Molinari, 11-2, 11-9, 11-4
Majeed Shahin d. Robert Collins, 11-2, 13-11, 2-11, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
Eric Harper upset Arthur Schmeiser, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5, in the second round of qualifying, but then lost to Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-3, 12-10, in the final round. Rojas will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s.
The IRT Network will be web-casting California Open matches on Friday beginning with the Round of 16 at 10 AM PST.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Qualifying Round 3
Q8: Marco Rojas d. Eric Harper, 11-2, 11-3, 12-10
Q1: Javier Moreno d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 1-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-4
Q4: Daniel De La Rosa v. Jose Serrano
Q5: Alex Landa d. Thomas Fuhrmann, forfeit
Q6: Polo Gutierrez d. David Horn, 11-0, 12-10, 11-1
Q3: Brad Schopieray d. Rafael Filippini, 3-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-3
Q2: Anthony Herrera d. Andrew Gale, 11-9, 11-4, 11-1
Q7: Jansen Allen d. Jose Diaz, 6-11, 13-11, 11-2, 4-11, 11-4
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Marco Rojas
Andy Hawthorne v. Javier Moreno
Chris Crowther v. Daniel De La Rosa or Jose Serrano
Jose Rojas v. Alex Landa
Alvaro Beltran v. Polo Gutierrez
Ben Croft v. Brad Schopieray
Tony Carson v. Anthony Herrera
Rocky Carson v. Jansen Allen
Qualifying Round 2
Marco Rojas d. Hank Minardo, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5
Eric Harper d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5
Hiroshi Shimizu d. Tim Prigo, 11-9, 11-5, 12-10
Jose Serrano d. Luis Reveron, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5
Alex Landa d. Aaron Embry, 11-2, 11-5, 11-8
Thomas Fuhrmann d. Matt Majxner, 11-6, 11-8, 0-11, 5-11, 11-7
David Horn d. Mike Orr, 5-11, 11-7, 3-11, 12-10, 11-3
Polo Gutierrez d. Keith Minor, forfeit
Rafael Filippini d. Armondo Bermudez, 11-8, 11-3, 11-9
Andrew Gale d. Cliff Swain, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-0
Jose Diaz d. Majeed Shahin, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4
Jansen Allen d. Felipe Munoz, forfeit
Qualifying Round 1
Aaron Embry d. John Wolfe, 11-1, 11-1, 11-7
Keith Minor d. John Molinari, 11-2, 11-9, 11-4
Majeed Shahin d. Robert Collins, 11-2, 13-11, 2-11, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, January 3, 2013
IRT - 2013 California Open Preview
And on the third day of 2013, the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) swings back into action with the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will be back in action after missing the last event of 2012 due to a nagging knee injury. That event - the New Jersey Open - was won by IRT #2 Rocky Carson, who'll be playing at home, in some sense, as lives in the Los Angeles area.
But Waselenchuk and Carson won't be in action until Friday, as the top 8 players are seeded into the Round of 16. Thursday belongs to the players trying to qualify for other 8 spots in the 16s.
The most intriguing of the potential qualifying matches is Jose Diaz versus Jansen Allen, which would be for a spot in the 16s against Rocky Carson. But they'll both have to win a match to set that up.
Other likely matches for spots in the 16s are between Polo Gutierrez and David Horn and veterans Javier Moreno and Hiroshi Shimizu.
The IRT Network will be web-casting California Open matches beginning Thursday January 3 at 8 PM PST.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Round 1
Aaron Embry v. John Wolfe
Keith Minor v. John Molinari
Majeed Shahin v. Robert Collins
Round 2
Marco Rojas v. Hank Minardo
Arthur Schmeiser v. Eric Harper
Hiroshi Shimizu v. Tim Prigo
Jose Serrano v. Luis Reveron
Alex Landa v. Aaron Embry or John Wolfe
Matt Majxner v. Thomas Fuhrmann
David Horn v. Mike Orr
Polo Gutierrez v. Keith Minor or John Molinari
Armondo Bermudez v. Rafael Filippini
Andrew Gale v. Cliff Swain
Jose Diaz v. Majeed Shahin or Robert Collins
Jansen Allen v. Felipe Munoz
Round 3
Q8: Marco Rojas or Hank Minardo v. Arthur Schmeiser or Eric Harper
Q1: Javier Moreno v. Hiroshi Shimizu or Tim Prigo
Q4: Daniel De La Rosa v. Jose Serrano or Luis Reveron
Q5: Alex Landa or Aaron Embry or John Wolfe v. Matt Majxner or Thomas Fuhrmann
Q6: Polo Gutierrez or Keith Minor or John Molinari v. David Horn or Mike Orr
Q3: Brad Schopieray v. Armondo Bermudez or Rafael Filippini
Q2: Anthony Herrera v. Andrew Gale or Cliff Swain
Q7: Jose Diaz or Majeed Shahin or Robert Collins v. Jansen Allen or Felipe Munoz
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
Chris Crowther v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Tony Carson v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
But Waselenchuk and Carson won't be in action until Friday, as the top 8 players are seeded into the Round of 16. Thursday belongs to the players trying to qualify for other 8 spots in the 16s.
The most intriguing of the potential qualifying matches is Jose Diaz versus Jansen Allen, which would be for a spot in the 16s against Rocky Carson. But they'll both have to win a match to set that up.
Other likely matches for spots in the 16s are between Polo Gutierrez and David Horn and veterans Javier Moreno and Hiroshi Shimizu.
The IRT Network will be web-casting California Open matches beginning Thursday January 3 at 8 PM PST.
2013 California Open - Reseda, California
Round 1
Aaron Embry v. John Wolfe
Keith Minor v. John Molinari
Majeed Shahin v. Robert Collins
Round 2
Marco Rojas v. Hank Minardo
Arthur Schmeiser v. Eric Harper
Hiroshi Shimizu v. Tim Prigo
Jose Serrano v. Luis Reveron
Alex Landa v. Aaron Embry or John Wolfe
Matt Majxner v. Thomas Fuhrmann
David Horn v. Mike Orr
Polo Gutierrez v. Keith Minor or John Molinari
Armondo Bermudez v. Rafael Filippini
Andrew Gale v. Cliff Swain
Jose Diaz v. Majeed Shahin or Robert Collins
Jansen Allen v. Felipe Munoz
Round 3
Q8: Marco Rojas or Hank Minardo v. Arthur Schmeiser or Eric Harper
Q1: Javier Moreno v. Hiroshi Shimizu or Tim Prigo
Q4: Daniel De La Rosa v. Jose Serrano or Luis Reveron
Q5: Alex Landa or Aaron Embry or John Wolfe v. Matt Majxner or Thomas Fuhrmann
Q6: Polo Gutierrez or Keith Minor or John Molinari v. David Horn or Mike Orr
Q3: Brad Schopieray v. Armondo Bermudez or Rafael Filippini
Q2: Anthony Herrera v. Andrew Gale or Cliff Swain
Q7: Jose Diaz or Majeed Shahin or Robert Collins v. Jansen Allen or Felipe Munoz
Main Draw - Round of 16 - Friday
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
Chris Crowther v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Tony Carson v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Top 10 Racquetball Stories of 2012
2012 has ended and 2013 has just begun, so it's time to reflect on the twelve months that have gone by and what's happened in racquetball during that period.
Thus, we present The Racquetball Blog Top 10 stories of 2012.
10) Ektelon. News of Ektelon's sale caused some ripples in the racquetball world, as Ektelon is the oldest racquetball manufacturer. But it seems like business as usual under the new ownership, which is good for all concerned. If a sport's companies aren't healthy, then how can the sport itself be healthy?
9) IRT Network. The IRT Network was created a few years ago to webcast matches from International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events, and they have continually improved their service. Racquetball is difficult to film but the IRT has multiple cameras and good definition, which makes following the action enjoyable. Moreover, they have expanded their coverage from IRT Tier 1 events to include Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) events as well as some outdoor events.
8) Krystal Csuk. Csuk (pronouced "CHUK") took a big step up in her game in 2012, reaching the semi-finals at three events, and she finished 4th at the end of the 2011-12 season, which was only her second top 10 finish (Csuk was 10th the pervious season). She's now ranked 3rd on the LPRT.
7) Injuries. Injuries always play a part in sports, but we can't recall a year when there have been more injuries to prominent racquetball players. It began in 2011 really, with Cheryl Gudinas having surgery on her left knee, and Samantha Salas sat out most of the 2011-12 women's pro season with an injury to her right shoulder. Also, Jennifer Saunders missed the last two events of 2012 due to neck and back issues. On the men's side, in second International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event of 2012, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk's back acted up on him and prevented him from finishing the final of the New York City Pro-Am, ending his tournament winning streak. Waselenchuk missed two more IRT tournaments before returning and beginning another winning streak. Then Waselenchuk missed the last tournament of 2012 with a knee injury. Also, Charlie Pratt will likely miss the rest of the 2012-13 season due to an ankle injury.
6) Rocky Carson. How's that old commercial go? "We're number 2. We try harder."? That could apply to Carson, who had another good year, as he maintained his ranking as the #2 player on the IRT. Carson also won the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championship for the 3rd straight time - tying him for most men's titles with Jack Huczek. Carson's not the #1 player in the world, but he's clearly the next best player.
5) International wins. Players from outside North America had more impressive results in 2012 at both senior and junior events. Guatemala got their first medal at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, and Bolivia won men's doubles at the Pan-American Championships, a first for a South American nation. At the IRF World Juniors, Guatemala and Costa Rica both won gold for the first time. International racquetball is becoming more competitive and the North American nations' advantage continues to diminish.
4) Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour. The women's pro tour reorganized itself yet again. The year began with the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) but in the summer the players decided that they needed to make a change and that led to the creation of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). The change has been mostly seamless, as the event schedule is largely the same as previous WPRO seasons.
3) Mexican Women's Team Title. Mexico won the women's team title at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships this year, and it was their first win ever and the first time the USA women did not take the title. The Mexican team of Paola Longoria, Samantha Salas and Jessica Parrilla, almost didn't get to the final as they split their first two matches with Canada, as Jennifer Saunders beat Parrilla in singles (2-0) and Longoria and Salas beat Saunders and Josée Grand'Maître in doubles (2-1) before Longoria won the deciding match against Brandi Jacobson Prentice (2-0). In the final, Mexico defeated the USA in two straight matches: Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich (2-1) and Parrilla took out Cheryl Gudinas (2-1). The win signals the ascendancy of Mexico - and decline of the USA - in women's racquetball.
2) Kane Waselenchuk. He's the most dominant IRT player. It's been almost four years since someone got 11 points in three out of five games against Waselenchuk. In November, he turned 31, so Waselenchuk's likely closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and he has had some injuries in recent years. But if you're a racquetball fan, you need to see Waselenchuk play before his career ends, because he is the most exceptional racquetball player ever.
1) Paola Longoria. Longoria has won every event she's entered since May 2011. Singles, doubles, team events: she's won them all. LPRT #1, World Champion, gold medalist. She's at the top of her game and at only 23 could be at the top of women's racquetball for some years to come.
There are The Racquetball Blog's top 10 racquetball stories of 2012. If you think we missed something, please leave a comment.
We look forward to another year of following the bouncing ball.
Happy New Year everyone!
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thus, we present The Racquetball Blog Top 10 stories of 2012.
10) Ektelon. News of Ektelon's sale caused some ripples in the racquetball world, as Ektelon is the oldest racquetball manufacturer. But it seems like business as usual under the new ownership, which is good for all concerned. If a sport's companies aren't healthy, then how can the sport itself be healthy?
9) IRT Network. The IRT Network was created a few years ago to webcast matches from International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events, and they have continually improved their service. Racquetball is difficult to film but the IRT has multiple cameras and good definition, which makes following the action enjoyable. Moreover, they have expanded their coverage from IRT Tier 1 events to include Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) events as well as some outdoor events.
8) Krystal Csuk. Csuk (pronouced "CHUK") took a big step up in her game in 2012, reaching the semi-finals at three events, and she finished 4th at the end of the 2011-12 season, which was only her second top 10 finish (Csuk was 10th the pervious season). She's now ranked 3rd on the LPRT.
7) Injuries. Injuries always play a part in sports, but we can't recall a year when there have been more injuries to prominent racquetball players. It began in 2011 really, with Cheryl Gudinas having surgery on her left knee, and Samantha Salas sat out most of the 2011-12 women's pro season with an injury to her right shoulder. Also, Jennifer Saunders missed the last two events of 2012 due to neck and back issues. On the men's side, in second International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event of 2012, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk's back acted up on him and prevented him from finishing the final of the New York City Pro-Am, ending his tournament winning streak. Waselenchuk missed two more IRT tournaments before returning and beginning another winning streak. Then Waselenchuk missed the last tournament of 2012 with a knee injury. Also, Charlie Pratt will likely miss the rest of the 2012-13 season due to an ankle injury.
6) Rocky Carson. How's that old commercial go? "We're number 2. We try harder."? That could apply to Carson, who had another good year, as he maintained his ranking as the #2 player on the IRT. Carson also won the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championship for the 3rd straight time - tying him for most men's titles with Jack Huczek. Carson's not the #1 player in the world, but he's clearly the next best player.
5) International wins. Players from outside North America had more impressive results in 2012 at both senior and junior events. Guatemala got their first medal at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, and Bolivia won men's doubles at the Pan-American Championships, a first for a South American nation. At the IRF World Juniors, Guatemala and Costa Rica both won gold for the first time. International racquetball is becoming more competitive and the North American nations' advantage continues to diminish.
4) Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour. The women's pro tour reorganized itself yet again. The year began with the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) but in the summer the players decided that they needed to make a change and that led to the creation of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). The change has been mostly seamless, as the event schedule is largely the same as previous WPRO seasons.
3) Mexican Women's Team Title. Mexico won the women's team title at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships this year, and it was their first win ever and the first time the USA women did not take the title. The Mexican team of Paola Longoria, Samantha Salas and Jessica Parrilla, almost didn't get to the final as they split their first two matches with Canada, as Jennifer Saunders beat Parrilla in singles (2-0) and Longoria and Salas beat Saunders and Josée Grand'Maître in doubles (2-1) before Longoria won the deciding match against Brandi Jacobson Prentice (2-0). In the final, Mexico defeated the USA in two straight matches: Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich (2-1) and Parrilla took out Cheryl Gudinas (2-1). The win signals the ascendancy of Mexico - and decline of the USA - in women's racquetball.
2) Kane Waselenchuk. He's the most dominant IRT player. It's been almost four years since someone got 11 points in three out of five games against Waselenchuk. In November, he turned 31, so Waselenchuk's likely closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and he has had some injuries in recent years. But if you're a racquetball fan, you need to see Waselenchuk play before his career ends, because he is the most exceptional racquetball player ever.
1) Paola Longoria. Longoria has won every event she's entered since May 2011. Singles, doubles, team events: she's won them all. LPRT #1, World Champion, gold medalist. She's at the top of her game and at only 23 could be at the top of women's racquetball for some years to come.
There are The Racquetball Blog's top 10 racquetball stories of 2012. If you think we missed something, please leave a comment.
We look forward to another year of following the bouncing ball.
Happy New Year everyone!
Follow the bouncing ball....
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