2013 US Open - Waselenchuk wins 9th title, sets career mark at 71

Kane Waselenchuk set a new mark for career wins on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) at 71 on Sunday, as he won his 9th US Open title by defeating Rocky Carson, 11-9, 11-1, 11-6.

Waselenchuk was previously tied at 70 with Cliff Swain.

In game one, it didn't look like it would be Waselenchuk's as Carson was playing well. But they were scoring points back and forth and tied at 5-5. Then Carson took control as he went up 9-5.

Waselenchuk changed his serve strategy and began lob serving to the right side - Carson's forehand, and that got him back into the game as he came back with six unanswered points all off lob serves.

Game two was all Waselenchuk as he went back to drive serving and Carson only served twice before Waselenchuk won it 11-1. There were only 14 rallies in game two.

In game three Waselenchuk led early at 4-0, but Carson came back to make it 4-4 and then 5-4. Waselenchuk tied it at 5-5, and they traded side outs until Waselenchuk hit a down the line forehand to make it 6-5. Another one like that made it 7-5, and again they traded side outs.

However, slowly but surely Waselenchuk worked his way to match point, and then on his second opportunity, he drove serve to the left. Carson hit a backhand cross court, and Waselenchuk killed it down the line with his backhand.

The next IRT Tier 1 event is the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan November 7-10, 2013.

2013 IRT US Open, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Final - Sunday (with seedings)

1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 2 Rocky Carson, 11-9, 11-1, 11-6

Follow the bouncing ball….