LPRT Paola Longoria Invitational - Kirch defeats Amaya in Round of 16

Cristina Amaya was upset in the Round of 16 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Paola Longoria Invitational tournament in Monterrey, Mexico, as Aubrey Kirch came back from a 2-1 deficit in games to win in five games, 12-14, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4. It's a setback for Amaya, who recently achieved a career high by becoming the 3rd ranked LPRT player.

Kirch will face Maria Jose Vargas in the quarter-finals on Saturday, as Vargas defeated Jessica Parrilla, who was the big winner earlier in the day, in three games, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8. Vargas will be trying to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time this season, while Kirch has never got that far in a women's pro event.

But the top seed and the tournament's marquee player did advance to the quarter finals, as Paola Longoria beat Sofia Rascon, but it wasn't a sweep, as Rascon took a game from the LPRT's #1 player, as the final score line was 11-4, 6-11, 11-3, 11-2.

Longoria will play Jennifer Saunders in the quarters, as the 9th seeded Canadian had a mild upset win over 8th seed Da'monique Davis, 11-6, 0-11, 11-8, 11-9.

But there were bigger upsets Friday. For example, 20th seed Sharon Jackson knocked off the 4th seed Susana Acosta in four games, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, to reach the quarter finals for the first time in her career.

In another upset 10th seed Frédérique Lambert beat 7th seed Cheryl Gudinas, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10, to advance to the quarters for the second time this season, and second in her career. She'll play 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters, and Lambert beat Rajsich earlier this season on her way to the semi-finals in Toluca, Mexico.

Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Network.

Paola Longoria Invitational
Monterrey, Mexico

Singles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Sofia Rascon, 11-4, 6-11, 11-3, 11-2
9) Jennifer Saunders d. 8) Da'monique Davis, 11-6, 0-11, 11-8, 11-9

5) Samantha Salas Solis d. 12) T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-3, 11-2, 11-5
20) Sharon Jackson d. 4) Susana Acosta, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8

19) Aubrey Kirch d. 3) Cristina Amaya, 12-14, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4
6) Maria Jose Vargas d. 22) Jessica Parrilla, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8

10) Frédérique Lambert d. 7) Cheryl Gudinas, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 18) Krystal Csuk, 11-9, 11-8, 11-0

Singles - Quarter finals - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Jennifer Saunders
5) Samantha Salas Solis v. 20) Sharon Jackson

6) Maria Jose Vargas v. 19) Aubrey Kirch
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 10) Frédérique Lambert

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