Green & Saunders are Canadian Champions once again

Defending Champions Jennifer Saunders and Mike Green successfully defended their titles on Saturday at the 2013 Canadian Racquetball Championships in Langley, B.C. Both did so in two straight games, but the games were very competitive.

On the men's side, Green defeated 2nd seed Tim Landeryou, 15-10, 15-8, while Saunders beat Josée Grand'Maître, 15-6, 16-14.

Landeryou was undefeated in Canada this season, including a win Green at the last Canadian National Team Selection Event in February, but Green got the better of him on Saturday. Green was ahead early in game one at 7-3, but Landeryou dug in and was only down by one at 10-9, before Green closed it out.

In games two, they were tied at 4-4, when Green took the next four points to lead 8-4. However, after a timeout Landeryou got the serve back and scored three straight points to close the gap at 8-7.

However, Landeryou stalled there, and Green got two more points to get 10-7. Landeryou called another timeout, but that was not as successful as the first, as Landeryou could only score one more point the rest of the way as Green went on to win, 15-8, taking the match in two straight games.

The win completes an undefeated week for Green, who also won the Men's Open Doubles title with Coby Iwaasa earlier in the week.

Green's won four consecutive singles titles and nine overall. This is the fifth year he's won both the singles and doubles title. Green previously did so in 2010 and 2011 both with Kris Odegard as his partner in doubles and in 2004 and 2006, when Brian Istace was his doubles partner each time.

On the women's side, Saunders won game one comfortably against Grand'Maître, who is her doubles partner and the two won their 9th doubles title together earlier in the week.

But in game two, Grand'Maître came out strong using a variety of serves and making great shots during the rallies. The players were tied at 5-5, and then Grand'Maître pulled ahead and led 10-8, and she got to 14 first at 14-10.

Grand'maître served for the game at 14-10 and 14-12, but couldn't manage to find the winning point, as Saunders caught up at 14-14, and then went ahead 15-14 and won it on her first match point.

The victory is Saunders's seventh and ties her for most Canadian Women's Singles titles with Heather Stupp. Her combined total of 16 Canadian Singles and Doubles titles is second only to Grand'Maître, who has 17.

The 2013 Canadian National Racquetball Championships concluded Saturday May 25 in Langley, B.C. at Newlands Golf and Country Club.

2013 Canadian Racquetball Championships
Langley, B.C.
(seeding)

Men's Open Singles

Final

(1) Mike Green d. (2) Tim Landeryou, 15-10, 15-8

3rd Place - (4) Coby Iwaasa d. (3) Nathaniel Husulak, 15-11, 15-7

5th Place - (9) Pedro Castro d. (6) Corey Osborne, 16-14, 15-10

7th Place - (5) James Landeryou d. (10) Kurtis Cullen, Forfeit

9th Place - (8) Samuel Murray d. (7) Eric Desrochers, 15-8, 15-10

11th Place - (12) Troy Brooks d. (14) Sebastian Juteau, 15-6, 22-20

Women's Open Singles

Final

(1) Jennifer Saunders d. (2) Josée Grand'Maître, 15-6, 16-14

3rd Place - (3) Christine Richardson d. (4) Linda Ellerington, 15-10, 15-1

5th Place - (5) Michele Morissette d. (6) Valerie Fallu, Forfeit

7th Place - (8) Brigitte Richard d. (7) Nadia Verilli, 15-10, 5-15, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball….