Andy Hawthorne won the Men's Open division at the 36th Annual Lewis Pro-Am tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota by defeating Tim Landeryou in the final, 15-14, 15-0.
In the semi-finals, Hawthorne beat Lee Connell, 15-1, 15-8, and Landeryou took out Tanner Gross, 15-7, 15-10, which was a measure of payback, as Gross defeated Landeryou in the Pro division earlier in the event.
Over in Cincinnati, Kimberly Irons won the Women's Open division with a victory over Maiko Sato in the final, 15-13, 15-10. Irons defeated veteran Kerri Wachtel, 15-8, 15-8, in one semi-final, while Sato beat Sofia Rascon in the other semi, 15-14, 0-15, 11-5.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Men's Open Final
Andy Hawthorne d. Tim Landeryou, 15-14, 15-0
Semi-finals
Andy Hawthorne d. Lee Connell, 15-1, 15-8
Tim Landderyou d. Tanner Gross, 15-7, 15-10
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Women's Open Final
Kimberly Irons d. Maiko Sato, 15-13, 15-10
Semi-finals
Maiko Sato d. Sofia Rascon, 15-14, 0-15, 11-5
Kimberly Irons d. Kerri Wachtel, 15-8, 15-8
Quarter finals
Maiko Sato d. Cheyenne Hayes, 15-9, 15-9
Sofia Rascon d. Da'monique Davis, 15-12, 15-11
Kimberly Irons d. Sharon Jackson, 15-14, 7-15, 11-5
Kerri Wachtel d. Mariana Tobon Gordon, 15-12, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 27, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Waselenchuk a double winner at IRT 36th Annual Lewis Pro-Am
Kane Waselenchuk won twice on Sunday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 36th Annual Lewis Pro-Am tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as he took both the singles and doubles titles, wining the latter with Jason Mannino.
But Waselenchuk wasn't as dominant as he had been earlier in the tournament, which is likely down to the quality of his opponent, as Alvaro Beltran - the IRT's #3 player - fought hard throughout their match, but lost in three straight games, 11-6, 11-4, 15-13.
It was a very competitive match, unlike the three Waselenchuk won to get to the final. In those, his opponents scored only 7 points in 9 games. Beltran scored more than three times the points of Waselenchuk's first three opponents.
Waselenchuk's been involved in 15-13 games on three previous occasions, but they are all more than a decade ago. His record in 15-13 games is 2-1. The wins were against Jack Huczek in August 2002, when the first game of their match, and against Cliff Swain in January 2002, and the loss was against Mike Green in November 2003 in Chicago. Waselenchuk won the matches against Huczek and Green, but lost to Swain.
Beltran's strategy was to drive serve to Waselenchuk and usually to the right side, so to the left-handed Waselenchuk's backhand. Beltran did so from different spots in the service box, and also hit some drive serves to the left side and drive Z serves.
Beltran got at least the first three points in each game, and in game one it was the first five points. However, as some are fond of saying "it's not how you start; it's how you finish," and Beltran had a hard time finishing against Waselenchuk, who would step up his game roll point after point.
Although that roll got progressively more difficult as the match went along, as there were more rallies in game two than game one - despite Beltran scoring two fewer points. Waselenchuk needed 16 rallies to get the final five points in game two, when it took only five rallies to get the final five points of game one.
Game three was even closer, as Beltran also took a 5-0 lead and then fell behind 8-5 before tying the game 8-8. Waselenchuk then scored two quick points to have his first match point at 10-8.
But Beltran continued to battle, and the score went up and up. Beltran had a chance to win game three when he served at 12-11, but Waselenchuk got the serve back with a forehand down the line shot, and then served his 7th ace of the match - a drive serve to the left side - that tied the game at 12-12.
Waselenchuk won the match on his 7th match point. He hit a drive serve to the left side. Beltran hit a backhand pinch shot, which was left up and Waselenchuk hit the ball down the right side with a backhand pass shot.
Doubles
Waselenchuk and Jason Mannino won the Pro Doubles title with a narrow victory over Rocky Carson and Jose Rojas, 13-15, 15-11, 11-9. Carson and Rojas looked the fresher team as the match started out, as they took a 9-1 lead in game one. But Waselenchuk and Mannino came back to tie it at 13-13.
But a side out ended a streak of eight points by Waselenchuk and Mannino, and gave Rojas and Carson a chance to end the game, which they took full advantage of. Rojas, playing the left side, got the winning point as he hit a soft serve that came off the side wall early and in between his opponents. Waselenchuk tried to return the ball off the short hop, but he skipped it resulting a 15-13 win for Rojas and Carson.
But Waselenchuk and Mannino put it together in game two, as they won it 15-11 to force a tie-breaker. In the breaker, It was Waselenchuk and Mannino who started well as they got out to a 7-2 lead.
Rojas and Carson battled back and drew within one at 6-7. Then after a side out at 9-6, Rojas and Carson tied it after three rallies ended with skips: two by Waselenchuk and one by Mannino.
However, Waselenchuk and Mannino held firm, and got the serve back. Waselenchuk hit a drive serve to the left side for an ace to give them their first match point. They didn't convert that, as Rojas and Carson got a half down. But then Mannino hit one of his customary half lob serves and Carson stepped up to hit it early with one of his customary overhead returns, but he pounded it into the floor, giving the game and match to Waselenchuk and Mannino.
The match was very entertaining, as one would expect with four of the best racquetball players in the world on one court. There are possibilities for more doubles next season, and we would welcome that.
There's a break in the IRT schedule for Tier 1 events, as the next IRT Tier 1 will be the Florida Spring Break Pro/Am in Tampa from March 6-9.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final (Seedings)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-6, 11-4, 15-13
Pro Doubles
Final
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk d. 1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas, 13-15, 15-11, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
But Waselenchuk wasn't as dominant as he had been earlier in the tournament, which is likely down to the quality of his opponent, as Alvaro Beltran - the IRT's #3 player - fought hard throughout their match, but lost in three straight games, 11-6, 11-4, 15-13.
It was a very competitive match, unlike the three Waselenchuk won to get to the final. In those, his opponents scored only 7 points in 9 games. Beltran scored more than three times the points of Waselenchuk's first three opponents.
Waselenchuk's been involved in 15-13 games on three previous occasions, but they are all more than a decade ago. His record in 15-13 games is 2-1. The wins were against Jack Huczek in August 2002, when the first game of their match, and against Cliff Swain in January 2002, and the loss was against Mike Green in November 2003 in Chicago. Waselenchuk won the matches against Huczek and Green, but lost to Swain.
Beltran's strategy was to drive serve to Waselenchuk and usually to the right side, so to the left-handed Waselenchuk's backhand. Beltran did so from different spots in the service box, and also hit some drive serves to the left side and drive Z serves.
Beltran got at least the first three points in each game, and in game one it was the first five points. However, as some are fond of saying "it's not how you start; it's how you finish," and Beltran had a hard time finishing against Waselenchuk, who would step up his game roll point after point.
Although that roll got progressively more difficult as the match went along, as there were more rallies in game two than game one - despite Beltran scoring two fewer points. Waselenchuk needed 16 rallies to get the final five points in game two, when it took only five rallies to get the final five points of game one.
Game three was even closer, as Beltran also took a 5-0 lead and then fell behind 8-5 before tying the game 8-8. Waselenchuk then scored two quick points to have his first match point at 10-8.
But Beltran continued to battle, and the score went up and up. Beltran had a chance to win game three when he served at 12-11, but Waselenchuk got the serve back with a forehand down the line shot, and then served his 7th ace of the match - a drive serve to the left side - that tied the game at 12-12.
Waselenchuk won the match on his 7th match point. He hit a drive serve to the left side. Beltran hit a backhand pinch shot, which was left up and Waselenchuk hit the ball down the right side with a backhand pass shot.
Doubles
Waselenchuk and Jason Mannino won the Pro Doubles title with a narrow victory over Rocky Carson and Jose Rojas, 13-15, 15-11, 11-9. Carson and Rojas looked the fresher team as the match started out, as they took a 9-1 lead in game one. But Waselenchuk and Mannino came back to tie it at 13-13.
But a side out ended a streak of eight points by Waselenchuk and Mannino, and gave Rojas and Carson a chance to end the game, which they took full advantage of. Rojas, playing the left side, got the winning point as he hit a soft serve that came off the side wall early and in between his opponents. Waselenchuk tried to return the ball off the short hop, but he skipped it resulting a 15-13 win for Rojas and Carson.
But Waselenchuk and Mannino put it together in game two, as they won it 15-11 to force a tie-breaker. In the breaker, It was Waselenchuk and Mannino who started well as they got out to a 7-2 lead.
Rojas and Carson battled back and drew within one at 6-7. Then after a side out at 9-6, Rojas and Carson tied it after three rallies ended with skips: two by Waselenchuk and one by Mannino.
However, Waselenchuk and Mannino held firm, and got the serve back. Waselenchuk hit a drive serve to the left side for an ace to give them their first match point. They didn't convert that, as Rojas and Carson got a half down. But then Mannino hit one of his customary half lob serves and Carson stepped up to hit it early with one of his customary overhead returns, but he pounded it into the floor, giving the game and match to Waselenchuk and Mannino.
The match was very entertaining, as one would expect with four of the best racquetball players in the world on one court. There are possibilities for more doubles next season, and we would welcome that.
There's a break in the IRT schedule for Tier 1 events, as the next IRT Tier 1 will be the Florida Spring Break Pro/Am in Tampa from March 6-9.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final (Seedings)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-6, 11-4, 15-13
Pro Doubles
Final
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk d. 1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas, 13-15, 15-11, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria wins LPRT Wilson Tour of Hope in Cincinnati
Paola Longoria was the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday by defeating LPRT #1 Rhonda Rajsich in the final, 5-11, 11-2, 11-1, 11-4. This marks her 20th women's pro tournament title in a row.
Longoria is the dominant women's racquetball player. Consider that Rajsich's win in game one of the final was only the 4th game Longoria has lost this season in 24 matches: a 72-4 season record. Also, it's the first time Longoria's dropped a game in a final since last season's LPRT event in Reseda, California, when Rajsich also took a game off her.
The next LPRT tournament is the Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas from February 21-23.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Final
Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 5-11, 11-2, 11-1, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria is the dominant women's racquetball player. Consider that Rajsich's win in game one of the final was only the 4th game Longoria has lost this season in 24 matches: a 72-4 season record. Also, it's the first time Longoria's dropped a game in a final since last season's LPRT event in Reseda, California, when Rajsich also took a game off her.
The next LPRT tournament is the Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas from February 21-23.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Final
Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 5-11, 11-2, 11-1, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, January 25, 2014
IRT 36th Annual Lewis Pro-Am - Waselenchuk dominant
Kane Waselenchuk reached the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 36th Annual Lewis Pro-Am tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with two of the most dominant wins of his career, as he defeated 8th seed Jansen Allen 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in the quarter finals and then 5th seed Chris Crowther, 11-0, 11-2, 11-3, in the semi-finals.
Giving up six points over six games in the quarter finals and semi-finals is likely unprecedented in IRT history.
Alvaro Beltran will be Waselenchuk's opponent in the final Sunday, and Beltran also gave one of his opponents a donut in advancing to the final, as he beat Rocky Carson, 11-9, 11-4, 11-0.
They are also playing doubles in Sioux Falls, and Waselenchuk and Beltran faced off in the semi-finals with Waselenchuk and Jason Mannino getting the better of Beltran and Crowther, 14-15, 15-11, 11-9, in a close match that got heated at the end, as both sides were questioning some of the referee's calls.
After forcing the tie-breaker, Waselenchuk and Mannino jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the breaker. However, Beltran and Crowther responded with seven straight points to lead 7-6.
After going back and forth, it was Beltran and Crowther who got to match point first at 10-8. But they couldn't finish it, and with Waselenchuk and Mannino serving at 9-10, Waselenchuk hit a ball that went to the right side passed Beltran who was slightly behind Mannino.
Beltran felt he was hindered by Mannino, but the referee disagreed, and called no hinder. Both Beltran and Crowther vehemently disagreed, and Crowther's immediate reaction was to slam the ball in the referee's direction, which resulted in a technical.
Thus, the score went from Waselenchuk and Mannino serving at 9-10 to them serving at 10-9. They didn't finish off the match on the next serve, but Beltran and Crowther were clearly distracted by their disagreement with the referee and they failed to score another point.
The IRT Network will carry both the singles and doubles finals on Sunday morning with the singles final scheduled for 10:30 AM CST and the doubles final for 11:30 AM CST.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarter finals (Seedings)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 8 Jansen Allen, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1
5 Chris Crowther d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Tony Carson, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5, 13-11
2 Rocky Carson d. 7 Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-3, 11-9
Semi-finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 5 Chris Crowther, 11-0, 11-2, 11-3
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 2 Rocky Carson, 11-9, 11-4, 11-0
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Sunday 10:30 AM
Pro Doubles
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas d. 4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 15-8, 15-13
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk d. 2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther, 14-15, 15-11, 11-9
Final
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas v. 3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk - Sunday 11:30 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Giving up six points over six games in the quarter finals and semi-finals is likely unprecedented in IRT history.
Alvaro Beltran will be Waselenchuk's opponent in the final Sunday, and Beltran also gave one of his opponents a donut in advancing to the final, as he beat Rocky Carson, 11-9, 11-4, 11-0.
They are also playing doubles in Sioux Falls, and Waselenchuk and Beltran faced off in the semi-finals with Waselenchuk and Jason Mannino getting the better of Beltran and Crowther, 14-15, 15-11, 11-9, in a close match that got heated at the end, as both sides were questioning some of the referee's calls.
After forcing the tie-breaker, Waselenchuk and Mannino jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the breaker. However, Beltran and Crowther responded with seven straight points to lead 7-6.
After going back and forth, it was Beltran and Crowther who got to match point first at 10-8. But they couldn't finish it, and with Waselenchuk and Mannino serving at 9-10, Waselenchuk hit a ball that went to the right side passed Beltran who was slightly behind Mannino.
Beltran felt he was hindered by Mannino, but the referee disagreed, and called no hinder. Both Beltran and Crowther vehemently disagreed, and Crowther's immediate reaction was to slam the ball in the referee's direction, which resulted in a technical.
Thus, the score went from Waselenchuk and Mannino serving at 9-10 to them serving at 10-9. They didn't finish off the match on the next serve, but Beltran and Crowther were clearly distracted by their disagreement with the referee and they failed to score another point.
The IRT Network will carry both the singles and doubles finals on Sunday morning with the singles final scheduled for 10:30 AM CST and the doubles final for 11:30 AM CST.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarter finals (Seedings)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 8 Jansen Allen, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1
5 Chris Crowther d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Tony Carson, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5, 13-11
2 Rocky Carson d. 7 Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-3, 11-9
Semi-finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 5 Chris Crowther, 11-0, 11-2, 11-3
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 2 Rocky Carson, 11-9, 11-4, 11-0
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Sunday 10:30 AM
Pro Doubles
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas d. 4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 15-8, 15-13
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk d. 2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther, 14-15, 15-11, 11-9
Final
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas v. 3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk - Sunday 11:30 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope - Longoria & Rajsich reach the final
After a day with several upsets there were none on Saturday at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio, so it will be LPRT #1 Paola Longoria versus LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich in the final once again.
Longoria is seeking her 20th women's pro tournament victory in a row. She's undefeated since May 2011. In the semi-finals, Longoria defeated 4th Maria Jose Vargas, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4.
Rajsich beat 11th seed Frédérique Lambert in the other semi, 11-8, 11-4, 11-9.
Longoria and Rajsich met in the final of last LPRT in Monterrey, Mexico, and Rajsich had leads in both games one and two, yet Longoria prevailed in three straight games. Rajsich will try to end Longoria's streak on Sunday.
Matches aren't available on the LPRT Network because of insufficient internet connection at the club.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Quarter finals (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Da'monique Davis, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
4 Maria Jose Vargas d. 21 Michelle Key, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3
11 Frédérique Lambert d. 14 Aubrey Kirch, 11-7, 9-11, 11-1, 9-11, 11-9
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 7 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Maria Jose Vargas, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 11 Frédérique Lambert, 11-8, 11-4, 11-9
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich - Sunday Noon
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria is seeking her 20th women's pro tournament victory in a row. She's undefeated since May 2011. In the semi-finals, Longoria defeated 4th Maria Jose Vargas, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4.
Rajsich beat 11th seed Frédérique Lambert in the other semi, 11-8, 11-4, 11-9.
Longoria and Rajsich met in the final of last LPRT in Monterrey, Mexico, and Rajsich had leads in both games one and two, yet Longoria prevailed in three straight games. Rajsich will try to end Longoria's streak on Sunday.
Matches aren't available on the LPRT Network because of insufficient internet connection at the club.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Quarter finals (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Da'monique Davis, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
4 Maria Jose Vargas d. 21 Michelle Key, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3
11 Frédérique Lambert d. 14 Aubrey Kirch, 11-7, 9-11, 11-1, 9-11, 11-9
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 7 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Maria Jose Vargas, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 11 Frédérique Lambert, 11-8, 11-4, 11-9
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich - Sunday Noon
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, January 24, 2014
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope - Round of 16
More upsets at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio, including a win by 14th seed Aubrey Kirch over 3rd seed Samantha Salas, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, in the Round of 16. Kirch will play another upset winner in the quarter finals in 11th seed Frédérique Lambert, as Lambert beat 6th seed Susana Acosta, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6.
That match will be a repeat of the 2011 World Junior Girl's U18 title match, which Kirch - then O'Brien - won.
Perhaps the most impressive upset was 21st seed Michelle Key's win over 5th seed Cristina Amaya, as it was in three straight games, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10. Kirch will play 4th Maria Jose Vargas in the quarters, as Vargas came back from 2-1 down against Sofia Rascon to win 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3.
The top three seeds all won comfortably in three straight games, including LPRT #1 Paola Longoria's win over Sheryl Lotts, 11-4, 11-7, 11-2.
Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Network.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 16 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Sheryl Lotts, 11-4, 11-7, 11-2
8 Da'monique Davis d. 9 Adrienne Haynes, 2-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-2
21 Michelle Key d. 5 Cristina Amaya, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10
4 Maria Jose Vargas d. 13 Sofia Rascon, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3
14 Aubrey Kirch d. 3 Samantha Salas, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5
11 Frédérique Lambert d. 6 Susana Acosta, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 23 Kelly Gremley, 11-5, 11-2, 11-6
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Kerri Wachtel, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5
Quarter finals (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Da'monique Davis
4 Maria Jose Vargas v. 21 Michelle Key
11 Frédérique Lambert v. 14 Aubrey Kirch
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
That match will be a repeat of the 2011 World Junior Girl's U18 title match, which Kirch - then O'Brien - won.
Perhaps the most impressive upset was 21st seed Michelle Key's win over 5th seed Cristina Amaya, as it was in three straight games, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10. Kirch will play 4th Maria Jose Vargas in the quarters, as Vargas came back from 2-1 down against Sofia Rascon to win 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3.
The top three seeds all won comfortably in three straight games, including LPRT #1 Paola Longoria's win over Sheryl Lotts, 11-4, 11-7, 11-2.
Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Network.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 16 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Sheryl Lotts, 11-4, 11-7, 11-2
8 Da'monique Davis d. 9 Adrienne Haynes, 2-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-2
21 Michelle Key d. 5 Cristina Amaya, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10
4 Maria Jose Vargas d. 13 Sofia Rascon, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3
14 Aubrey Kirch d. 3 Samantha Salas, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5
11 Frédérique Lambert d. 6 Susana Acosta, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 23 Kelly Gremley, 11-5, 11-2, 11-6
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Kerri Wachtel, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5
Quarter finals (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Da'monique Davis
4 Maria Jose Vargas v. 21 Michelle Key
11 Frédérique Lambert v. 14 Aubrey Kirch
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT 36th Annual Lewis Pro Am - Round of 32 & 16
No upsets so far at the 36th Annual Lewis Pro-Am - a Tier 1 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but there have been some great matches, as three of the Round of 16 matches went tie-breaker.
Sixth seed Tony Carson, coming back from injury, won the first two games against Charlie Pratt, but then found himself in a tie-breaker, as Pratt won games three and four. Carson scored the first two points of the breaker, before Pratt responded with three straight making the score 3-2.
But after that it was all Carson, as he only allowed Pratt one more point, winning the match 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 6-11, 11-4. Pratt used a variety of drive serves in the match as did Carson, but Carson also hit several lobs serves to the right side - Pratt's forehand.
Also needing five games to advance were 7th seed Marco Rojas who beat Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5, and 8th seed Jansen Allen who defeated veteran Andy Hawthorne, 11-3, 8-11, 13-15, 11-7, 11-5.
The IRT Network will carry the quarter-finals beginning Saturday at 10 AM CST. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon with the final Sunday morning at 10:30 AM CST.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Preliminary Round 1
Q8: Lee Meinerz d. Tyler Thielen, 11-2, 11-7, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6
Q1: Andy Hawthorne
Q4: Hiroshi Shimizu d. Matt Greenway, 11-9, 11-1, 11-5
Q5: Lee Connell d. Joel Cassens, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7
Q6: Mike Guidry d. Derek Izzi, 11-9, 11-0, 11-5
Q3: Charlie Pratt
Q2: Alejandro Landa
Q7: Tanner Gross d. Tim Landeryou, 11-8, 11-7, 3-11, 8-11, 11-7
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Lee Meinerz, 11-1, 11-0, 11-0
8 Jansen Allen d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-3, 8-11, 13-15, 11-7, 11-5
5 Chris Crowther d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 7-11, 11-0, 11-6, 11-6
4 Jose Rojas d. Lee Connell, 11-7, 7-11, 11-1, 11-8
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Mike Guidry, 11-1, 11-7, 11-6
6 Tony Carson d. Charlie Pratt, 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 6-11, 11-4
7 Marco Rojas d. Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5
2 Rocky Carson d. Tanner Gross, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 8 Jansen Allen
4 Jose Rojas v. 5 Chris Crowther or Hiroshi Shimizu
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 6 Tony Carson
2 Rocky Carson v. 7 Marco Rojas
Pro Doubles
Quarter finals
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas - BYE
4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. 5 Alejandro Landa & Charlie Pratt, 15-5, 4-15, 11-7
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk d. 6 Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou, 15-4, 15-6
2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther - BYE
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas v. 4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther v. 3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sixth seed Tony Carson, coming back from injury, won the first two games against Charlie Pratt, but then found himself in a tie-breaker, as Pratt won games three and four. Carson scored the first two points of the breaker, before Pratt responded with three straight making the score 3-2.
But after that it was all Carson, as he only allowed Pratt one more point, winning the match 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 6-11, 11-4. Pratt used a variety of drive serves in the match as did Carson, but Carson also hit several lobs serves to the right side - Pratt's forehand.
Also needing five games to advance were 7th seed Marco Rojas who beat Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5, and 8th seed Jansen Allen who defeated veteran Andy Hawthorne, 11-3, 8-11, 13-15, 11-7, 11-5.
The IRT Network will carry the quarter-finals beginning Saturday at 10 AM CST. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon with the final Sunday morning at 10:30 AM CST.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Preliminary Round 1
Q8: Lee Meinerz d. Tyler Thielen, 11-2, 11-7, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6
Q1: Andy Hawthorne
Q4: Hiroshi Shimizu d. Matt Greenway, 11-9, 11-1, 11-5
Q5: Lee Connell d. Joel Cassens, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7
Q6: Mike Guidry d. Derek Izzi, 11-9, 11-0, 11-5
Q3: Charlie Pratt
Q2: Alejandro Landa
Q7: Tanner Gross d. Tim Landeryou, 11-8, 11-7, 3-11, 8-11, 11-7
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Lee Meinerz, 11-1, 11-0, 11-0
8 Jansen Allen d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-3, 8-11, 13-15, 11-7, 11-5
5 Chris Crowther d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 7-11, 11-0, 11-6, 11-6
4 Jose Rojas d. Lee Connell, 11-7, 7-11, 11-1, 11-8
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Mike Guidry, 11-1, 11-7, 11-6
6 Tony Carson d. Charlie Pratt, 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 6-11, 11-4
7 Marco Rojas d. Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5
2 Rocky Carson d. Tanner Gross, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 8 Jansen Allen
4 Jose Rojas v. 5 Chris Crowther or Hiroshi Shimizu
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 6 Tony Carson
2 Rocky Carson v. 7 Marco Rojas
Pro Doubles
Quarter finals
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas - BYE
4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. 5 Alejandro Landa & Charlie Pratt, 15-5, 4-15, 11-7
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk d. 6 Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou, 15-4, 15-6
2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther - BYE
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas v. 4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther v. 3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope - Round of 32
There have been a couple of upsets in the first round of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. The biggest of them has been 23rd seed Kelly Gremley's win over 10th seed Jennifer Saunders, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.
Also, 21st seed Michelle Key defeated 12th seed Hailey Miller, 11-9, 11-9, 11-2, and Sheryl Lotts won the 16/17 seed match against Sharon Jackson, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6.
Finally, Kerri Wachtel, playing in her first tournament of the season, beat Carolina Luque, 11-8, 13-11, 11-4.
Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Network.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Sheryl Lotts d. 16 Sharon Jackson, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6
9 Adrienne Haynes d. 24 Lily Berry, 10-12, 15-13, 12-10, 11-5
8 Da'monique Davis d. 25 Cheyenne Hayes, 11-1, 11-1, 11-7
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
21 Michelle Key d. 12 Hailey Miller, 11-9, 11-9, 11-2
13 Sofia Rascon d. 20 Cecilia Orozco, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
4 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3 Samantha Salas - BYE
14 Aubrey Kirch d. 19 Marianna Tobon, 11-2, 11-7, 11-5
11 Frédérique Lambert d. 22 Maiko Sato, 11-3, 11-8, 12-10
6 Susana Acosta d. 27 Maria Delli-Santi, 11-2, 11-5, 11-1
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 26 Jocelyn Loredo, 11-1, 11-1, 11-1
23 Kelly Gremley d. 10 Jennifer Saunders, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
15 Kerri Wachtel d. 18 Carolina Luque, 11-8, 13-11, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Round of 16 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
8 Da'monique Davis v. 9 Adrienne Haynes
5 Cristina Amaya v. 21 Michelle Key
4 Maria Jose Vargas v. 13 Sofia Rascon
3 Samantha Salas v. 14 Aubrey Kirch
6 Susana Acosta v. 11 Frédérique Lambert
7 Cheryl Gudinas v. 23 Kelly Gremley
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Kerri Wachtel
Follow the bouncing ball....
Also, 21st seed Michelle Key defeated 12th seed Hailey Miller, 11-9, 11-9, 11-2, and Sheryl Lotts won the 16/17 seed match against Sharon Jackson, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6.
Finally, Kerri Wachtel, playing in her first tournament of the season, beat Carolina Luque, 11-8, 13-11, 11-4.
Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Network.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Sheryl Lotts d. 16 Sharon Jackson, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6
9 Adrienne Haynes d. 24 Lily Berry, 10-12, 15-13, 12-10, 11-5
8 Da'monique Davis d. 25 Cheyenne Hayes, 11-1, 11-1, 11-7
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
21 Michelle Key d. 12 Hailey Miller, 11-9, 11-9, 11-2
13 Sofia Rascon d. 20 Cecilia Orozco, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
4 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3 Samantha Salas - BYE
14 Aubrey Kirch d. 19 Marianna Tobon, 11-2, 11-7, 11-5
11 Frédérique Lambert d. 22 Maiko Sato, 11-3, 11-8, 12-10
6 Susana Acosta d. 27 Maria Delli-Santi, 11-2, 11-5, 11-1
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 26 Jocelyn Loredo, 11-1, 11-1, 11-1
23 Kelly Gremley d. 10 Jennifer Saunders, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
15 Kerri Wachtel d. 18 Carolina Luque, 11-8, 13-11, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Round of 16 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
8 Da'monique Davis v. 9 Adrienne Haynes
5 Cristina Amaya v. 21 Michelle Key
4 Maria Jose Vargas v. 13 Sofia Rascon
3 Samantha Salas v. 14 Aubrey Kirch
6 Susana Acosta v. 11 Frédérique Lambert
7 Cheryl Gudinas v. 23 Kelly Gremley
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Kerri Wachtel
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT - 36th Lewis Pro-Am Preview
The 36th Annual Lewis Pro-Am is a Tier 1 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event for the first time, and although there's a small draw, players are clearly happy to be there. Also, the tournament features a small doubles competition, which will have IRT President and former #1 player Jason Mannino competing for the first time in a few years. He's teamed up with the current IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, and they are seeded 3rd in the draw.
In the singles draw, there are a few good match ups early on, including Jansen Allen and Andy Hawthorne, Marco Rojas and Alejandro Landa and Tony Carson - making his return to the tour after missing some events do to injury - versus Charlie Pratt. Also, Japanese veteran, Hiroshi Shimizu, who almost knocked off Alvaro Beltran at the California Open, will likely play Chris Crowther in the Round of 16.
The tournament will have the first singles round (Round of 32) on Friday morning wit the Round of 16 on Friday afternoon. The quarter finals and semi-finals will both be on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
This is the format that is used by the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), and our understanding is that some players favour that formatting rather than all the qualifying on Thursday night, when a player can play two or three times almost back to back and then have to play again at 10 AM Friday morning. That's a tough schedule for anyone.
The IRT Network will carry the action live over the web beginning Friday morning at 11:45 AM CST.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Preliminary Round 1
Q8: Lee Meinerz v. Tyler Thielen
Q1: Andy Hawthorne
Q4: Hiroshi Shimizu v. Matt Greenway
Q5: Lee Connell v. Joel Cassens
Q6: Derek Izzi v. Mike Guidry
Q3: Charlie Pratt
Q2: Alejandro Landa
Q7: Tanner Gross v. Tim Landeryou
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Jansen Allen v. Andy Hawthorne
5 Chris Crowther v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Tony Carson v. Charlie Pratt
7 Marco Rojas v. Alejandro Landa
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Pro Doubles
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas - BYE
4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson v. 5 Alejandro Landa & Charlie Pratt
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk v. 6 Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou
2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the singles draw, there are a few good match ups early on, including Jansen Allen and Andy Hawthorne, Marco Rojas and Alejandro Landa and Tony Carson - making his return to the tour after missing some events do to injury - versus Charlie Pratt. Also, Japanese veteran, Hiroshi Shimizu, who almost knocked off Alvaro Beltran at the California Open, will likely play Chris Crowther in the Round of 16.
The tournament will have the first singles round (Round of 32) on Friday morning wit the Round of 16 on Friday afternoon. The quarter finals and semi-finals will both be on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
This is the format that is used by the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), and our understanding is that some players favour that formatting rather than all the qualifying on Thursday night, when a player can play two or three times almost back to back and then have to play again at 10 AM Friday morning. That's a tough schedule for anyone.
The IRT Network will carry the action live over the web beginning Friday morning at 11:45 AM CST.
2014 Lewis Pro-Am 36th Annual
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Preliminary Round 1
Q8: Lee Meinerz v. Tyler Thielen
Q1: Andy Hawthorne
Q4: Hiroshi Shimizu v. Matt Greenway
Q5: Lee Connell v. Joel Cassens
Q6: Derek Izzi v. Mike Guidry
Q3: Charlie Pratt
Q2: Alejandro Landa
Q7: Tanner Gross v. Tim Landeryou
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Jansen Allen v. Andy Hawthorne
5 Chris Crowther v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Tony Carson v. Charlie Pratt
7 Marco Rojas v. Alejandro Landa
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Pro Doubles
1 Rocky Carson & Jose Rojas - BYE
4 Jansen Allen & Tony Carson v. 5 Alejandro Landa & Charlie Pratt
3 Jason Mannino & Kane Waselenchuk v. 6 Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou
2 Alvaro Beltran & Chris Crowther - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 23, 2014
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope - Preview
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) is back in action this weekend with the Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio, or as some people are calling it the "Kerri Wachtel Invitational," as veteran Wachtel and her husband Chris are the tour directors for what has been one of the longer running women's pro events.
Wachtel is in the draw for the first time this season, and in the bottom bracket of the draw that could be called a veteran's bracket, as along with Wachtel, who's seeded 15th, are 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich, 7th seed Cheryl Gudinas and 10th seed Jennifer Saunders. Look for one of them to be in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Paola Longoria - LPRT #1 - is the favorite to win the tournament. She might not be pushed until the semis, when Longoria will likely face either 5th seed Cristina Amaya or 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas.
But again there are several good, young players who will be looking to make their mark in Cincinnati, including Aubrey Kirch, Frédérique Lambert, Michelle Key, Sofia Rascon and Sharon Jackson.
Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Network.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 Sharon Jackson v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
9 Adrienne Haynes v. 24 Lily Berry
8 Da'monique Davis v. 25 Cheyenne Hayes
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
12 Hailey Miller v. 21 Michelle Key
13 Sofia Rascon v. 20 Cecilia Orozco
4 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3 Samantha Salas - BYE
14 Aubrey Kirch v. 19 Marianna Tobon
11 Frédérique Lambert v. 22 Maiko Sato
6 Susana Acosta v. 27 Maria Delli-Santi
7 Cheryl Gudinas v. 26 Jocelyn Loredo
10 Jennifer Saunders v. 23 Kelly Gremley
15 Kerri Wachtel v. 18 Carolina Luque
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wachtel is in the draw for the first time this season, and in the bottom bracket of the draw that could be called a veteran's bracket, as along with Wachtel, who's seeded 15th, are 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich, 7th seed Cheryl Gudinas and 10th seed Jennifer Saunders. Look for one of them to be in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Paola Longoria - LPRT #1 - is the favorite to win the tournament. She might not be pushed until the semis, when Longoria will likely face either 5th seed Cristina Amaya or 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas.
But again there are several good, young players who will be looking to make their mark in Cincinnati, including Aubrey Kirch, Frédérique Lambert, Michelle Key, Sofia Rascon and Sharon Jackson.
Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Network.
LPRT Wilson Tour for Hope
January 24-26, 2014 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 (seedings)
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 Sharon Jackson v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
9 Adrienne Haynes v. 24 Lily Berry
8 Da'monique Davis v. 25 Cheyenne Hayes
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
12 Hailey Miller v. 21 Michelle Key
13 Sofia Rascon v. 20 Cecilia Orozco
4 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3 Samantha Salas - BYE
14 Aubrey Kirch v. 19 Marianna Tobon
11 Frédérique Lambert v. 22 Maiko Sato
6 Susana Acosta v. 27 Maria Delli-Santi
7 Cheryl Gudinas v. 26 Jocelyn Loredo
10 Jennifer Saunders v. 23 Kelly Gremley
15 Kerri Wachtel v. 18 Carolina Luque
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, January 20, 2014
Lambert & Green win Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
On the weekend, Frédérique Lambert and Mike Green won the men's and women's divisions, respectively, at Racquetball Canada's second National Team Selection Event of the season in Brossard, Que.
Lambert defeated reigning Canadian Women's Champion Jennifer Saunders, 1-15, 15-10, 11-9, in the women's final. After the first game, which was all Saunders, Lambert switched serving strategy to lob serves from drive serves, as she usually does.
The switch worked, and was somewhat ironic, as lob serves, especially nick lobs are Saunders' primary weapon.
With the win, Lambert will become the #1 women's player in Canada, as she also defeated Saunders at the first National Team Selection Event of the season in Winnipeg in December.
Green is the reigning National Men's Champion and he defeated 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon, 15-8, 15-8, in the men's final Sunday.
In the men's semi-finals, Green was up against the young phenom 17 year old Coby Iwaasa. After winning game one, Green lost game two to the young Iwaasa, but Green recovered and won the tie-breaker by a comfortable margin, making the final score 15-12, 8-15, 11-1.
In the other semi-final, Gagnon defeated Tim Landeryou, 15-13, 13-15, 11-9, and the margin of victory could not have been smaller as Racquetball Canada matches have to be won by two points minimum.
Landeryou beat Iwaasa in the 3rd place match, 15-7, 14-16, 11-6. During that match Landeryou was in control throughout, as he kept the ball out of the middle, while too many of Iwaasa's shots went into the middle. The match only went to a tie-breaker as Iwaasa started hitting lob Z serves to the right side - Landeryou's forehand - that Landeryou had some difficulty returning.
This event was the last opportunity players had to earn points towards selection for the team representing Canada at the 2014 Pan American Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia in April. Those points will also count toward selection for Team Canada at the 2014 World Championships in Burlington, Ont., Canada in June.
RACQUETBALL CANADA NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION EVENT
Nautilus Plus
Brossard, Quebec
Men's Open
Final - Mike Green d. Vincent Gagnon, 15-8, 15-8
3rd - Tim Landeryou d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-7, 14-16, 11-6
5th - Pedro Castro d. Samuel Murray, 15-4, 5-15, 12-10
7th - Lee Connell d. Nathaniel Husulak, 15-12, 15-4
9th - Tanner Mattson d. Kurtis Cullen, 15-7, 8-15, 11-9
Women's Open
Final - Frédérique Lambert d. Jennifer Saunders, 1-15, 15-10, 11-9
3rd - Josée Grand'Maître d. Michèle Morissette, 15-8, 15-7
5th - Christine Richardson d. Valerie Fallu, 15-13, 10-15, 11-3
7th - Leanne Neubauer d. Brigitte Richard, 15-4, 16-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Lambert defeated reigning Canadian Women's Champion Jennifer Saunders, 1-15, 15-10, 11-9, in the women's final. After the first game, which was all Saunders, Lambert switched serving strategy to lob serves from drive serves, as she usually does.
The switch worked, and was somewhat ironic, as lob serves, especially nick lobs are Saunders' primary weapon.
With the win, Lambert will become the #1 women's player in Canada, as she also defeated Saunders at the first National Team Selection Event of the season in Winnipeg in December.
Green is the reigning National Men's Champion and he defeated 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon, 15-8, 15-8, in the men's final Sunday.
In the men's semi-finals, Green was up against the young phenom 17 year old Coby Iwaasa. After winning game one, Green lost game two to the young Iwaasa, but Green recovered and won the tie-breaker by a comfortable margin, making the final score 15-12, 8-15, 11-1.
In the other semi-final, Gagnon defeated Tim Landeryou, 15-13, 13-15, 11-9, and the margin of victory could not have been smaller as Racquetball Canada matches have to be won by two points minimum.
Landeryou beat Iwaasa in the 3rd place match, 15-7, 14-16, 11-6. During that match Landeryou was in control throughout, as he kept the ball out of the middle, while too many of Iwaasa's shots went into the middle. The match only went to a tie-breaker as Iwaasa started hitting lob Z serves to the right side - Landeryou's forehand - that Landeryou had some difficulty returning.
This event was the last opportunity players had to earn points towards selection for the team representing Canada at the 2014 Pan American Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia in April. Those points will also count toward selection for Team Canada at the 2014 World Championships in Burlington, Ont., Canada in June.
RACQUETBALL CANADA NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION EVENT
Nautilus Plus
Brossard, Quebec
Men's Open
Final - Mike Green d. Vincent Gagnon, 15-8, 15-8
3rd - Tim Landeryou d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-7, 14-16, 11-6
5th - Pedro Castro d. Samuel Murray, 15-4, 5-15, 12-10
7th - Lee Connell d. Nathaniel Husulak, 15-12, 15-4
9th - Tanner Mattson d. Kurtis Cullen, 15-7, 8-15, 11-9
Women's Open
Final - Frédérique Lambert d. Jennifer Saunders, 1-15, 15-10, 11-9
3rd - Josée Grand'Maître d. Michèle Morissette, 15-8, 15-7
5th - Christine Richardson d. Valerie Fallu, 15-13, 10-15, 11-3
7th - Leanne Neubauer d. Brigitte Richard, 15-4, 16-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 13, 2014
Weekend Round-Up - Hawthorne, Parrilla & Vesley winners
Andy Hawthorne was the Men's Open division of the Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am on the weekend. He defeated Robert Collins in the final, 14-15, 15-11, 11-5.
In the semi-finals, Hawthorne, the top seed, beat Alejandro Herrera and Collins defeated Manolo Sandoval, who knocked off 2nd seed David Horn in the Round of 16, 15-9, 15-12.
Hawthorne also won the Men's Open Doubles division with Alejandro Herrera, as they had a walk over win against Fabian Pedraza and Anthony Herrera. In the semi-finals, Hawthorne and Herrera beat Nicolas Bousquet and Sebastian Juteau, 15-4, 15-11, and Pedraza and Herrera squeaked out win over Vincent Gagnon and Samuel Murray, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9.
The Women's Open title went to Jessica Parrilla, who defeated Michelle Key in the final. Parrilla defeated Beth Shea, 15-10, 15-13, in one semi with Key beating Kimberly Ferina, 15-1, 15-6, in the other.
Racquetball Blizzard
Filip Vesley won the Racquetball Blizzard tournament - a Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in St Louis, Missouri - on the weekend. He defeated Ryan Maher, 11-6, 11-1, 11-4, in the final.
In the semi-finals, Vesley beat Bryan Shaw, 2-11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-2, and Maher defeated Lee Meinerz, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Men's Open
Final
Andy Hawthorne d. Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5, 4-11, 11-9
Semi-finals
Andy Hawthorne d. Alejandro Herrera
Robert Collins d. Manolo Sandoval
Men's Open Doubles
Andy Hawthorne & Alejandro Herrera d. Fabian Pedraza & Anthony Herrera, forfeit
Semi-finals
Andy Hawthorne & Alejandro Herrera d. Nicolas Bousquet & Sebastian Juteau, 15-4, 15-11
Fabian Pedraza & Anthony Herrera d. Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9
Women's Open
Final
Jessica Parrilla d. Michelle Key
Semi-finals
Jessica Parrilla d. Beth Shea, 15-10, 15-13
Michelle Key d. Kimberly Ferina, 15-1, 15-6
Racquetball Blizzard, St Louis, Missouri
Men's Open
Final
Filip Vesley d. Ryan Maher, 11-6, 11-1, 11-4
Semi-finals
Filip Vesley d. Bryan Shaw, 2-11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-2
Ryan Maher d. Lee Meinerz, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Hawthorne, the top seed, beat Alejandro Herrera and Collins defeated Manolo Sandoval, who knocked off 2nd seed David Horn in the Round of 16, 15-9, 15-12.
Hawthorne also won the Men's Open Doubles division with Alejandro Herrera, as they had a walk over win against Fabian Pedraza and Anthony Herrera. In the semi-finals, Hawthorne and Herrera beat Nicolas Bousquet and Sebastian Juteau, 15-4, 15-11, and Pedraza and Herrera squeaked out win over Vincent Gagnon and Samuel Murray, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9.
The Women's Open title went to Jessica Parrilla, who defeated Michelle Key in the final. Parrilla defeated Beth Shea, 15-10, 15-13, in one semi with Key beating Kimberly Ferina, 15-1, 15-6, in the other.
Racquetball Blizzard
Filip Vesley won the Racquetball Blizzard tournament - a Tier 5 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in St Louis, Missouri - on the weekend. He defeated Ryan Maher, 11-6, 11-1, 11-4, in the final.
In the semi-finals, Vesley beat Bryan Shaw, 2-11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-2, and Maher defeated Lee Meinerz, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Men's Open
Final
Andy Hawthorne d. Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5, 4-11, 11-9
Semi-finals
Andy Hawthorne d. Alejandro Herrera
Robert Collins d. Manolo Sandoval
Men's Open Doubles
Andy Hawthorne & Alejandro Herrera d. Fabian Pedraza & Anthony Herrera, forfeit
Semi-finals
Andy Hawthorne & Alejandro Herrera d. Nicolas Bousquet & Sebastian Juteau, 15-4, 15-11
Fabian Pedraza & Anthony Herrera d. Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9
Women's Open
Final
Jessica Parrilla d. Michelle Key
Semi-finals
Jessica Parrilla d. Beth Shea, 15-10, 15-13
Michelle Key d. Kimberly Ferina, 15-1, 15-6
Racquetball Blizzard, St Louis, Missouri
Men's Open
Final
Filip Vesley d. Ryan Maher, 11-6, 11-1, 11-4
Semi-finals
Filip Vesley d. Bryan Shaw, 2-11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-2
Ryan Maher d. Lee Meinerz, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
2014 IRT New York City Pro-Am - Early Results
Results from Thursday's preliminary round and the Round of 16 on Friday at this past weekend's International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am were slow coming out, but we've got them all for you now.
There were impressive wins by Adam Manilla, US Junior Team member, who reached the Round of 16 with a win over Mauricio Zelada, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 4-11, 11-2, and Canadian National Team member Vincent Gagnon, who beat Charlie Pratt, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 to reach the 16 and then went tie-breaker with Jansen Allen before losing, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7.
Also, David Horn beat 4th seed Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, in the Round of 16. Word was that Rojas wasn't 100% due to an illness, but still Rojas is a high quality player and Horn had to make the shots. And he won in three straight, which is impressive.
The IRT will be back in action in Sioux Falls, South Dakota next week for the Lewis Drugs Pro-Am January 23-26, 2014.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Preliminary Round 1
Jared Torres d. Alexander Barch, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Manolo Sandoval d. Tony Dornelle, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5
Sebastien Juteau d. Oscar Arias, 11-1, 9-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5
Sean Klingaman d. Scott Manship, 11-1, 12-10, 11-0
Nicolas Bousquet d. Michael Leduc
Preliminary Round 2
Alejandro Herrera d. Jared Torres, 11-0, 11-4, 11-4
Andree Parrilla d. Manolo Sandoval, 13-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-4
Spencer Shoemaker d. James Scott, 8-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7
Adam Manilla d. Jonathan Clay, 11-4, 11-4, 11-2
David Horn d. Sebastien Juteau, 11-1, 11-2, 11-5
Andrew Kopf d. Joseph Palazzo
Mitch Posner d. John Scott
Anthony Herrera d. Sean Klingaman, 11-5, 11-9, 12-14, 11-7
Vincent Gagnon d. Samuel Murray, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5
Tanner Gross d. Thomas Carter, 11-7, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6
Robert Collins d. Nicolas Bousquet, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3
Nick Montalbano d. Alec Wasilonsky
Preliminary Round 3
Q8 Alejandro Herrera d. Andree Parrilla, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8
Q1 Jose Diaz d. Spencer Shoemaker, 11-7, 11-0, 11-5
Q4 Adam Manilla d. Mauricio Zelada, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 4-11, 11-2
Q5 David Horn d. Andrew Kopf, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Q6 Anthony Herrera d. Mitch Posner, 11-2, 11-1, 11-3
Q3 Vincent Gagnon d. Charlie Pratt, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9
Q2 Andy Hawthorne d. Tanner Gross, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4
Q7 Nick Montalbano d. Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5, 4-11, 11-9
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
8 Chris Crowther d. Jose Diaz, 11-4, 12-10, 11-4
5 Marco Rojas d. Adam Manilla, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5
David Horn d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9
6 Jansen Allen d. Vincent Gagnon, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7
7 Daniel De La Rosa d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-6, 12-10
2 Rocky Carson d. Nick Montalbano, 11-4, 11-0, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
There were impressive wins by Adam Manilla, US Junior Team member, who reached the Round of 16 with a win over Mauricio Zelada, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 4-11, 11-2, and Canadian National Team member Vincent Gagnon, who beat Charlie Pratt, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 to reach the 16 and then went tie-breaker with Jansen Allen before losing, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7.
Also, David Horn beat 4th seed Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, in the Round of 16. Word was that Rojas wasn't 100% due to an illness, but still Rojas is a high quality player and Horn had to make the shots. And he won in three straight, which is impressive.
The IRT will be back in action in Sioux Falls, South Dakota next week for the Lewis Drugs Pro-Am January 23-26, 2014.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Preliminary Round 1
Jared Torres d. Alexander Barch, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Manolo Sandoval d. Tony Dornelle, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5
Sebastien Juteau d. Oscar Arias, 11-1, 9-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5
Sean Klingaman d. Scott Manship, 11-1, 12-10, 11-0
Nicolas Bousquet d. Michael Leduc
Preliminary Round 2
Alejandro Herrera d. Jared Torres, 11-0, 11-4, 11-4
Andree Parrilla d. Manolo Sandoval, 13-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-4
Spencer Shoemaker d. James Scott, 8-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7
Adam Manilla d. Jonathan Clay, 11-4, 11-4, 11-2
David Horn d. Sebastien Juteau, 11-1, 11-2, 11-5
Andrew Kopf d. Joseph Palazzo
Mitch Posner d. John Scott
Anthony Herrera d. Sean Klingaman, 11-5, 11-9, 12-14, 11-7
Vincent Gagnon d. Samuel Murray, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5
Tanner Gross d. Thomas Carter, 11-7, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6
Robert Collins d. Nicolas Bousquet, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3
Nick Montalbano d. Alec Wasilonsky
Preliminary Round 3
Q8 Alejandro Herrera d. Andree Parrilla, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8
Q1 Jose Diaz d. Spencer Shoemaker, 11-7, 11-0, 11-5
Q4 Adam Manilla d. Mauricio Zelada, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 4-11, 11-2
Q5 David Horn d. Andrew Kopf, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Q6 Anthony Herrera d. Mitch Posner, 11-2, 11-1, 11-3
Q3 Vincent Gagnon d. Charlie Pratt, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9
Q2 Andy Hawthorne d. Tanner Gross, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4
Q7 Nick Montalbano d. Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5, 4-11, 11-9
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
8 Chris Crowther d. Jose Diaz, 11-4, 12-10, 11-4
5 Marco Rojas d. Adam Manilla, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5
David Horn d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Anthony Herrera, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9
6 Jansen Allen d. Vincent Gagnon, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7
7 Daniel De La Rosa d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-6, 12-10
2 Rocky Carson d. Nick Montalbano, 11-4, 11-0, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Waselenchuk wins 2014 IRT Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am
Kane Waselenchuk won his 74th career International Racquetball Tour (IRT) title Sunday at the Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am by defeating Alvaro Beltran in the final, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4.
Beltran started strong by drive serving in game one, which was somewhat uncharacteristic as Beltran often uses a straight lob serve close to the right wall.
Afterwards, Beltran explained that Waselenchuk is "going to try to overpower you, so I tried to do the same thing." And it worked for one game.
Although in that game, it was Waselenchuk who led 7-3, as Beltran skipped several shots. But Beltran got the momentum back and scored six straight points to lead 9-7.
However, the IRT #1 player responded with three points of his own to get a game point at 10-9. But Beltran forced Waselenchuk into a skipped shot, and three points to win the game, 12-10, although Waselenchuk disputed the last two rallies: one two bounce call against Waselenchuk and next Waselenchuk thought two bounces should have been called against Beltran.
Game two was also hard fought, as they went back and forth until being at 5-5. Then Waselenchuk hit an ace to the right side. Another ace to the right made it 7-5. After Beltran skipped a shot on the next rally to make it 8-5, he called timeout.
But that didn't change the momentum, although it did slow Waselenchuk down, as he needed ten rallies to get the final three points.
Game three was again hard fought early on as it took several rallies to get to 2-2. But Waselenchuk made a run to make it 6-2, and although Beltran scored a point to make it 6-3, that was just a bump on Waselenchuk's path to an 11-3 win.
Down 2-1 to Waselenchuk is always a bad place to be, but Beltran didn't stop fighting, although he was losing most of the battles, as Waselenchuk went up 6-1 in game four but needed over 16 rallies to get there.
From there it was just a matter of time before Waselenchuk closed out the match, as he won game four 11-4.
Waselenchuk said "I started out slow," and felt he "wasn't going to be playing lights out," as he did on Saturday. However, "I knew I would last longer than him," so he wasn't concerned, and felt his play improved as the match went along.
Waselenchuk complimented his opponent, saying Beltran "played great."
Beltran said he "felt good" in the match, but "skipped a few balls" which is "part of the pressure" that Waselenchuk puts on his opponents.
Beltran "felt my legs tie after the second or third game," but the difference was "he played better than me."
Those watching the match might have thought that the refereeing was questionable at times, but both players were unhappy with the referee at some point during the match, and perhaps that's as it should be.
The IRT will be back in action in two weeks in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the Lewis Drugs Pro-Am January 23-26.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Beltran started strong by drive serving in game one, which was somewhat uncharacteristic as Beltran often uses a straight lob serve close to the right wall.
Afterwards, Beltran explained that Waselenchuk is "going to try to overpower you, so I tried to do the same thing." And it worked for one game.
Although in that game, it was Waselenchuk who led 7-3, as Beltran skipped several shots. But Beltran got the momentum back and scored six straight points to lead 9-7.
However, the IRT #1 player responded with three points of his own to get a game point at 10-9. But Beltran forced Waselenchuk into a skipped shot, and three points to win the game, 12-10, although Waselenchuk disputed the last two rallies: one two bounce call against Waselenchuk and next Waselenchuk thought two bounces should have been called against Beltran.
Game two was also hard fought, as they went back and forth until being at 5-5. Then Waselenchuk hit an ace to the right side. Another ace to the right made it 7-5. After Beltran skipped a shot on the next rally to make it 8-5, he called timeout.
But that didn't change the momentum, although it did slow Waselenchuk down, as he needed ten rallies to get the final three points.
Game three was again hard fought early on as it took several rallies to get to 2-2. But Waselenchuk made a run to make it 6-2, and although Beltran scored a point to make it 6-3, that was just a bump on Waselenchuk's path to an 11-3 win.
Down 2-1 to Waselenchuk is always a bad place to be, but Beltran didn't stop fighting, although he was losing most of the battles, as Waselenchuk went up 6-1 in game four but needed over 16 rallies to get there.
From there it was just a matter of time before Waselenchuk closed out the match, as he won game four 11-4.
Waselenchuk said "I started out slow," and felt he "wasn't going to be playing lights out," as he did on Saturday. However, "I knew I would last longer than him," so he wasn't concerned, and felt his play improved as the match went along.
Waselenchuk complimented his opponent, saying Beltran "played great."
Beltran said he "felt good" in the match, but "skipped a few balls" which is "part of the pressure" that Waselenchuk puts on his opponents.
Beltran "felt my legs tie after the second or third game," but the difference was "he played better than me."
Those watching the match might have thought that the refereeing was questionable at times, but both players were unhappy with the referee at some point during the match, and perhaps that's as it should be.
The IRT will be back in action in two weeks in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the Lewis Drugs Pro-Am January 23-26.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 10-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 11, 2014
2014 IRT Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Waselenchuk & Beltran win semis
Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), will have a chance to win this 74th career title Sunday at the Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am, as he defeated Marco Rojas in the semi-finals on Saturday, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1. In the last six IRT seasons, Waselenchuk's only lost two completed matches.
Alvaro Beltran will be Waselenchuk's opponent Sunday, and is one of the players who have defeated Waselenchuk over those six seasons. But that was back in January 2009.
Nevertheless, Beltran earned the right at another shot at Waselenchuk with a win over Daniel De La Rosa in the other semi-final, but Beltran needed a tie-breaker to get it done, winning 13-11, 1-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5.
Waselenchuk came out strong against Rojas, hitting several aces in game one, which he won comfortably. The story was similar in game two, as Waselenchuk ran the score to 9-0 before Rojas scored a point. But to his credit, Rojas scored four points before Waselenchuk finished off game two at 11-4.
In game three, there were several sideouts that kept the score at 0-0, and it was Rojas who broke the ice to lead 1-0 after Waselenchuk skipped a backhand serve return.
But that was the last point Rojas earned, as Waselenchuk ran 11 in a row to win the game, 11-1, and match in three straight games.
After the match, Waselenchuk said he felt "great," and "when I'm healthy this is the kind of damage I can do." He added, "I don't need to make any more statements in my career," so he's "just playing."
Asked about his motivation given that he's now the career IRT wins leader, Waselenchuk said it's his "family … to provide a good life for them," and that he has "a passion for the sport" that is "in my blood."
The IRT Network will have the final at noon EST on Sunday.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 5 Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 7 Daniel De La Rosa, 13-11, 1-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5
Final - Sunday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Noon EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
Alvaro Beltran will be Waselenchuk's opponent Sunday, and is one of the players who have defeated Waselenchuk over those six seasons. But that was back in January 2009.
Nevertheless, Beltran earned the right at another shot at Waselenchuk with a win over Daniel De La Rosa in the other semi-final, but Beltran needed a tie-breaker to get it done, winning 13-11, 1-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5.
Waselenchuk came out strong against Rojas, hitting several aces in game one, which he won comfortably. The story was similar in game two, as Waselenchuk ran the score to 9-0 before Rojas scored a point. But to his credit, Rojas scored four points before Waselenchuk finished off game two at 11-4.
In game three, there were several sideouts that kept the score at 0-0, and it was Rojas who broke the ice to lead 1-0 after Waselenchuk skipped a backhand serve return.
But that was the last point Rojas earned, as Waselenchuk ran 11 in a row to win the game, 11-1, and match in three straight games.
After the match, Waselenchuk said he felt "great," and "when I'm healthy this is the kind of damage I can do." He added, "I don't need to make any more statements in my career," so he's "just playing."
Asked about his motivation given that he's now the career IRT wins leader, Waselenchuk said it's his "family … to provide a good life for them," and that he has "a passion for the sport" that is "in my blood."
The IRT Network will have the final at noon EST on Sunday.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 5 Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 7 Daniel De La Rosa, 13-11, 1-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5
Final - Sunday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Noon EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 10, 2014
2014 IRT Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am Quarter-finals
Daniel De La Rosa continued his fine play this season on Friday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am as he defeated IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the quarter finals, 9-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-5. It's De La Rosa's second win against Carson this season.
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk won his quarter final match, although he needed four games against Chris Crowther before prevailing, 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5. Third seed Alvaro Beltran defeated Jansen Allen, 11-6, 11-5, 13-11, and fifth seed Marco Rojas beat David Horn, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7.
Carson started well against De La Rosa, going up 6-1 in game one of their match. De La Rosa called a time out at that point and proceeded to cut the lead to 6-4. Carson built the lead back up again at 9-5, but then De La Rosa came back and tied it at 9-9.
There was a slight controversy at 8-9 with De La Rosa serving, as a shot by Carson was called good, when it seemed to skip. Carson gave De La Rosa a replay, and on the ensuing rally, De La Rosa skipped a forehand shot.
Carson won the first game with an ace drive serve that cracked out on the left side.
Despite not winning game one, De La Rosa's comeback late in the game seemed to spur him on, as he went out to a 7-0 lead in game two. Carson scored a couple of points, but De La Rosa extended the lead to 10-2, with the 10th point coming on a drive serve ace to the left side. After that Carson threw the ball out of the court and was assessed a technical, which made the score 10-1.
De La Rosa won game two on the next rally with a backhand shot down the line.
They were close in game three, as they tied at 3-3 and 6-6. However, De La Rosa put together a couple of points to make it 8-6 and never relinquished the lead, as he went on to win 11-8.
The shot of the game came at 8-10, as De La Rosa hit a backhand splat that was flat. A perfect shot. The pinch or the splat was one of De La Rosa's go to shots during the match.
De La Rosa led from start to finish in game four, although after leading 5-1, Carson did cut the difference to a single point at 6-5. However, that was as close as he'd get as De La Rosa won it, 11-5.
On the match winning rally, De La Rosa drove serve to the left; Carson returned it cross court, and De La Rosa laid out to his right hitting the ball into the front right corner for a winning pinch shot.
De La Rosa will play Beltran in the semi-finals, which will be their 6th meeting since early November, and Beltran's won the five previous times.
Beltran didn't have any difficulty with Allen until game three of their match. That game was a streaky one, as Beltran scored the first four points, Allen the next seven, and then Beltran two more to make the score 7-6 for Allen.
After Allen scored another point to make it 8-6, Beltran called a timeout and regrouped. He proceeded to score the next three points to lead 9-8. However, Allen got the serve back and scored a pair of his own to get his first game point at 10-9.
But he couldn't convert it. Beltran took advantage and got a match point at 11-10, as he hit one of his several smooth forehand pinch shots to the right corner. However, Allen got a side out and tied the game at 11-11 with a drive serve ace that cracked out on the right side.
Beltran then held firm, got the serve back and won the next two points with the last coming off a forehand down the line shot.
During the match Beltran hit some of his typical straight lob serves along the right wall, but Allen returned those serves pretty well, so for most of games two and three Beltran stood in the same spot, but then hit lob serves cross court that nicked off the left wall.
Waselenchuk won the first two games against Crowther comfortably, but in each they were close early on before Waselenchuk pulled away. In game three, they were again close early, but after being tied 4-4, it was Crowther who pulled away to lead 9-5, and although Waselenchuk did close the lead to 9-8, Crowther held on to win, 11-8.
Game four was similar, as they were tied 3-3 and then Waselenchuk pulled away and won 11-5, to advance to the semis.
In the semis, Waselenchuk will play Marco Rojas, who made his second career semi-final by defeating fellow Stockton, California resident David Horn in four games in what was often a streaky match.
The first of their games was the definition of streaky, as Rojas led 4-0. Horn tied it at 4-4, and then Rojas won 11-4. Rojas led game two from 3-2 to the end at 11-4.
But just when it looked like Rojas was going to sweep Horn out of the tournament, Horn put together six straight points at the beginning of game three to lead 6-0.
Rojas called a timeout, and then cut the lead to one point at 6-5 using Beltran-like lob serves along the right wall. But again Horn went on a streak, scoring five straight points to win game three, 11-5.
Horn scored four more points to lead early in game four, 4-0. But as often happened in this match the other player responded with a streak of his own, as Rojas, in this case, scored seven points to lead 7-4.
Horn got one back before Rojas scored another five to reach match point at 10-5. But Horn didn't quit, scoring a couple more points as he held off three match points.
However, on the fourth one, Horn skipped a backhand shot that gave the game and match to Rojas, who will play in the semi-finals for only the second time in his career.
Rojas also reached the semi-finals last year at the Party with the Pros event in St Louis. As in St Louis, Rojas will face Waselenchuk, who defeated him in three straight games.
Rojas will be looking to do better on Saturday.
The IRT Network will carry the semi-finals beginning at 4 PM EST Saturday afternoon and the final at noon EST on Sunday.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 8 Chris Crowther, 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5
5 Marco Rojas d. David Horn, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Jansen Allen, 11-6, 11-5, 13-11
7 Daniel De La Rosa d. 2 Rocky Carson, 9-11, 11-1, 118, 11-5
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 5 Marco Rojas - 5 PM EST
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 7 Daniel De La Rosa - 4 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk won his quarter final match, although he needed four games against Chris Crowther before prevailing, 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5. Third seed Alvaro Beltran defeated Jansen Allen, 11-6, 11-5, 13-11, and fifth seed Marco Rojas beat David Horn, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7.
Carson started well against De La Rosa, going up 6-1 in game one of their match. De La Rosa called a time out at that point and proceeded to cut the lead to 6-4. Carson built the lead back up again at 9-5, but then De La Rosa came back and tied it at 9-9.
There was a slight controversy at 8-9 with De La Rosa serving, as a shot by Carson was called good, when it seemed to skip. Carson gave De La Rosa a replay, and on the ensuing rally, De La Rosa skipped a forehand shot.
Carson won the first game with an ace drive serve that cracked out on the left side.
Despite not winning game one, De La Rosa's comeback late in the game seemed to spur him on, as he went out to a 7-0 lead in game two. Carson scored a couple of points, but De La Rosa extended the lead to 10-2, with the 10th point coming on a drive serve ace to the left side. After that Carson threw the ball out of the court and was assessed a technical, which made the score 10-1.
De La Rosa won game two on the next rally with a backhand shot down the line.
They were close in game three, as they tied at 3-3 and 6-6. However, De La Rosa put together a couple of points to make it 8-6 and never relinquished the lead, as he went on to win 11-8.
The shot of the game came at 8-10, as De La Rosa hit a backhand splat that was flat. A perfect shot. The pinch or the splat was one of De La Rosa's go to shots during the match.
De La Rosa led from start to finish in game four, although after leading 5-1, Carson did cut the difference to a single point at 6-5. However, that was as close as he'd get as De La Rosa won it, 11-5.
On the match winning rally, De La Rosa drove serve to the left; Carson returned it cross court, and De La Rosa laid out to his right hitting the ball into the front right corner for a winning pinch shot.
De La Rosa will play Beltran in the semi-finals, which will be their 6th meeting since early November, and Beltran's won the five previous times.
Beltran didn't have any difficulty with Allen until game three of their match. That game was a streaky one, as Beltran scored the first four points, Allen the next seven, and then Beltran two more to make the score 7-6 for Allen.
After Allen scored another point to make it 8-6, Beltran called a timeout and regrouped. He proceeded to score the next three points to lead 9-8. However, Allen got the serve back and scored a pair of his own to get his first game point at 10-9.
But he couldn't convert it. Beltran took advantage and got a match point at 11-10, as he hit one of his several smooth forehand pinch shots to the right corner. However, Allen got a side out and tied the game at 11-11 with a drive serve ace that cracked out on the right side.
Beltran then held firm, got the serve back and won the next two points with the last coming off a forehand down the line shot.
During the match Beltran hit some of his typical straight lob serves along the right wall, but Allen returned those serves pretty well, so for most of games two and three Beltran stood in the same spot, but then hit lob serves cross court that nicked off the left wall.
Waselenchuk won the first two games against Crowther comfortably, but in each they were close early on before Waselenchuk pulled away. In game three, they were again close early, but after being tied 4-4, it was Crowther who pulled away to lead 9-5, and although Waselenchuk did close the lead to 9-8, Crowther held on to win, 11-8.
Game four was similar, as they were tied 3-3 and then Waselenchuk pulled away and won 11-5, to advance to the semis.
In the semis, Waselenchuk will play Marco Rojas, who made his second career semi-final by defeating fellow Stockton, California resident David Horn in four games in what was often a streaky match.
The first of their games was the definition of streaky, as Rojas led 4-0. Horn tied it at 4-4, and then Rojas won 11-4. Rojas led game two from 3-2 to the end at 11-4.
But just when it looked like Rojas was going to sweep Horn out of the tournament, Horn put together six straight points at the beginning of game three to lead 6-0.
Rojas called a timeout, and then cut the lead to one point at 6-5 using Beltran-like lob serves along the right wall. But again Horn went on a streak, scoring five straight points to win game three, 11-5.
Horn scored four more points to lead early in game four, 4-0. But as often happened in this match the other player responded with a streak of his own, as Rojas, in this case, scored seven points to lead 7-4.
Horn got one back before Rojas scored another five to reach match point at 10-5. But Horn didn't quit, scoring a couple more points as he held off three match points.
However, on the fourth one, Horn skipped a backhand shot that gave the game and match to Rojas, who will play in the semi-finals for only the second time in his career.
Rojas also reached the semi-finals last year at the Party with the Pros event in St Louis. As in St Louis, Rojas will face Waselenchuk, who defeated him in three straight games.
Rojas will be looking to do better on Saturday.
The IRT Network will carry the semi-finals beginning at 4 PM EST Saturday afternoon and the final at noon EST on Sunday.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 8 Chris Crowther, 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5
5 Marco Rojas d. David Horn, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Jansen Allen, 11-6, 11-5, 13-11
7 Daniel De La Rosa d. 2 Rocky Carson, 9-11, 11-1, 118, 11-5
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 5 Marco Rojas - 5 PM EST
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 7 Daniel De La Rosa - 4 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
2014 IRT Cactus Salon NYC Pro-Am Round of 16
Results for the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am are slow to come out, but we have a partial run down of the Round of 16 for you. When we know exactly what happened in the preliminary rounds, we'll be sure to let you know.
For now, the big news is that IRT #4 Jose Rojas lost in three straight games to fellow Stockton player David Horn, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9. Rojas defeated Horn last week in the 16s at the California Open, but Horn turned the tables today.
Horn will play in his first career quarter final this afternoon against either Marco Rojas or Adam Manilla, the left handed US Junior National Team member who made it through Thursday's qualifying rounds.
The two top seeds both won comfortably in the Round of 16. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk defeated Alejandro Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1, and IRT #2 Rocky Carson beat Nick Montalbano, 11-4, 11-0, 11-4. Montalbano needed five games to beat Robert Collins in the last round of qualifying, so he may not have fully recovered for his match against Carson.
The IRT Network will carry the quarter finals beginning at 4 PM EST Friday afternoon.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
8 Chris Crowther d. Jose Diaz, 3-0
5 Marco Rojas v. Adam Manilla
David Horn d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Anthony Herrera
6 Jansen Allen d. Vincent Gagnon, 3-2
7 Daniel De La Rosa d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-6, 12-10
2 Rocky Carson d. Nick Montalbano, 11-4, 11-0, 11-4
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk v.8 Chris Crowther
5 Marco Rojas or Adam Manilla v. David Horn
6 Jansen Allen v. 3 Alvaro Beltran or Anthony Herrera
2 Rocky Carson v. 7 Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball….
For now, the big news is that IRT #4 Jose Rojas lost in three straight games to fellow Stockton player David Horn, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9. Rojas defeated Horn last week in the 16s at the California Open, but Horn turned the tables today.
Horn will play in his first career quarter final this afternoon against either Marco Rojas or Adam Manilla, the left handed US Junior National Team member who made it through Thursday's qualifying rounds.
The two top seeds both won comfortably in the Round of 16. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk defeated Alejandro Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1, and IRT #2 Rocky Carson beat Nick Montalbano, 11-4, 11-0, 11-4. Montalbano needed five games to beat Robert Collins in the last round of qualifying, so he may not have fully recovered for his match against Carson.
The IRT Network will carry the quarter finals beginning at 4 PM EST Friday afternoon.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
8 Chris Crowther d. Jose Diaz, 3-0
5 Marco Rojas v. Adam Manilla
David Horn d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Anthony Herrera
6 Jansen Allen d. Vincent Gagnon, 3-2
7 Daniel De La Rosa d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-1, 11-6, 12-10
2 Rocky Carson d. Nick Montalbano, 11-4, 11-0, 11-4
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk v.8 Chris Crowther
5 Marco Rojas or Adam Manilla v. David Horn
6 Jansen Allen v. 3 Alvaro Beltran or Anthony Herrera
2 Rocky Carson v. 7 Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 9, 2014
2014 IRT Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Preview
The Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am is the second of back to back tournaments on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and there's a large draw with three rounds of qualifying on Thursday before the Round of 16 begins on Friday.
The quarter finals could see a battle of brothers, as Jose and Marco Rojas are seeded 4th and 5th, respectively, and would meet in the quarters if they win their Round of 16 matches.
New York state native Nick Montalbano, who reached the 16 of this event last year and was a semi-finalist in last season's New Jersey Open, is in the draw, and he would meet 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the 16s if he wins his two qualifying matches.
There are several Canadians in the draw, led by Vincent Gagnon, who will likely play Charlie Pratt in the 3rd round of qualifying. That should be a good match and also set up a good battle in the 16s, as the winner will play Jansen Allen.
Also, there are two good juniors in the draw. Mexican Andree Parrilla is the U16 World Junior Champion, and left hander Adam Manilla is the US Junior National Champion in U18.
To reach the 16s, Parrilla will have to defeat Tony Dornelle or Manolo Sandoval and then likely Alejandro Herrera, which would put him up against IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s. Manilla will have to overcome Jonathan Clay and Mauricio Zelada to claim the Q5 spot and a match will Marco Rojas in the Round of 16.
The IRT Network will carry the action live over the web beginning Thursday night from 8 PM EST and then all day Friday beginning at 10 AM EST.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Preliminary Round 1
Alexander Barch v. Jared Torres
Tony Dornelle v. Manolo Sandoval
Oscar Arias v. Sebastien Juteau
Scott Manship v. Sean Klingaman
Nicolas Bousquet v. Michael Leduc
Preliminary Round 2
Alejandro Herrera v. Alexander Barch or Jared Torres
Andree Parrilla v. Tony Dornelle or Manolo Sandoval
James Scott v. Spencer Shoemaker
Adam Manilla v. Jonathan Clay
David Horn v. Oscar Arias or Sebastien Juteau
Joseph Palazzo v. Andrew Kopf
John Scott v. Mitch Posner
Anthony Herrera v. Scott Manship or Sean Klingaman
Vincent Gagnon v. Samuel Murray
Tanner Gross v. Thomas Carter
Robert Collins v. Nicolas Bousquet or Michael Leduc
Nick Montalbano v. Alec Wasilonsky
Preliminary Round 3
Q8 Alejandro Herrera or Alexander Barch or Jared Torres v. Andree Parrilla or Tony Dornelle or Manolo Sandoval
Q1 Jose Diaz v. James Scott or Spencer Shoemaker
Q4 Mauricio Zelada v. Adam Manilla or Jonathan Clay
Q5 David Horn or Oscar Arias or Sebastien Juteau v. Joseph Palazzo or Andrew Kopf
Q6 Anthony Herrera or Scott Manship or Sean Klingaman v. John Scott or Mitch Posner
Q3 Charlie Pratt v. Vincent Gagnon or Samuel Murray
Q2 Andy Hawthorne v. Tanner Gross or Thomas Carter
Q7 Nick Montalbano or Alec Wasilonsky v. Robert Collins or Nicolas Bousquet or Michael Leduc
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Chris Crowther v. Q1
5 Marco Rojas v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Jansen Allen v. Q3
7 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q2
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
The quarter finals could see a battle of brothers, as Jose and Marco Rojas are seeded 4th and 5th, respectively, and would meet in the quarters if they win their Round of 16 matches.
New York state native Nick Montalbano, who reached the 16 of this event last year and was a semi-finalist in last season's New Jersey Open, is in the draw, and he would meet 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the 16s if he wins his two qualifying matches.
There are several Canadians in the draw, led by Vincent Gagnon, who will likely play Charlie Pratt in the 3rd round of qualifying. That should be a good match and also set up a good battle in the 16s, as the winner will play Jansen Allen.
Also, there are two good juniors in the draw. Mexican Andree Parrilla is the U16 World Junior Champion, and left hander Adam Manilla is the US Junior National Champion in U18.
To reach the 16s, Parrilla will have to defeat Tony Dornelle or Manolo Sandoval and then likely Alejandro Herrera, which would put him up against IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s. Manilla will have to overcome Jonathan Clay and Mauricio Zelada to claim the Q5 spot and a match will Marco Rojas in the Round of 16.
The IRT Network will carry the action live over the web beginning Thursday night from 8 PM EST and then all day Friday beginning at 10 AM EST.
2014 Cactus Salon New York City Pro-Am - Syosset, New York
Preliminary Round 1
Alexander Barch v. Jared Torres
Tony Dornelle v. Manolo Sandoval
Oscar Arias v. Sebastien Juteau
Scott Manship v. Sean Klingaman
Nicolas Bousquet v. Michael Leduc
Preliminary Round 2
Alejandro Herrera v. Alexander Barch or Jared Torres
Andree Parrilla v. Tony Dornelle or Manolo Sandoval
James Scott v. Spencer Shoemaker
Adam Manilla v. Jonathan Clay
David Horn v. Oscar Arias or Sebastien Juteau
Joseph Palazzo v. Andrew Kopf
John Scott v. Mitch Posner
Anthony Herrera v. Scott Manship or Sean Klingaman
Vincent Gagnon v. Samuel Murray
Tanner Gross v. Thomas Carter
Robert Collins v. Nicolas Bousquet or Michael Leduc
Nick Montalbano v. Alec Wasilonsky
Preliminary Round 3
Q8 Alejandro Herrera or Alexander Barch or Jared Torres v. Andree Parrilla or Tony Dornelle or Manolo Sandoval
Q1 Jose Diaz v. James Scott or Spencer Shoemaker
Q4 Mauricio Zelada v. Adam Manilla or Jonathan Clay
Q5 David Horn or Oscar Arias or Sebastien Juteau v. Joseph Palazzo or Andrew Kopf
Q6 Anthony Herrera or Scott Manship or Sean Klingaman v. John Scott or Mitch Posner
Q3 Charlie Pratt v. Vincent Gagnon or Samuel Murray
Q2 Andy Hawthorne v. Tanner Gross or Thomas Carter
Q7 Nick Montalbano or Alec Wasilonsky v. Robert Collins or Nicolas Bousquet or Michael Leduc
Main Draw of 16
(with seeding)
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Chris Crowther v. Q1
5 Marco Rojas v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Jansen Allen v. Q3
7 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q2
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
IRT Rankings - January 8, 2014
Only one change in the top 10 of the latest International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings, and it's a small change as Marco Rojas edges ahead of Jansen Allen into 9th spot 5 ranking points up on Allen in 10th.
Kane Waselenchuk remains #1 with Rocky Carson #2 and Alvaro Beltran #3. Jose Rojas is 4th, and he's only 76 points behind Beltran, so some good results for him this weekend at the New York City Pro-Am combined with poor results for Beltran could push him ahead of the Mexican and into the #3 spot for the first time in his career.
Daniel De La Rosa has had good results this season, and sits in 6th spot. But he's still well behind #5 Ben Croft.
There are few changes in the 11-20 places including David Horn getting back in the top 20 and Anthony Herrera dropping out of the top 20. He's now 21st.
The IRT is in action this weekend on Long Island, New York with the New York City Pro-Am, which begins January 9th and runs to January 12th.
IRT Rankings - January 8, 2014
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3844
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3674
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2788
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2712
5 Ben CROFT (USA) 2352
6 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 1816
7 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 1766
8 Tony CARSON (USA) 1461
9 Marco ROJAS (USA) 1252
10 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1247
11 Jose DIAZ (USA) 1056
12 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 840
13 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 709
14 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 700
15 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 691
16 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 670
17 Cliff Swain (USA) 640
18 Charlie PRATT (USA) 637
19 Mauricio ZELADA (USA) 592
20 David HORN (USA) 571
Follow the bouncing ball....
Kane Waselenchuk remains #1 with Rocky Carson #2 and Alvaro Beltran #3. Jose Rojas is 4th, and he's only 76 points behind Beltran, so some good results for him this weekend at the New York City Pro-Am combined with poor results for Beltran could push him ahead of the Mexican and into the #3 spot for the first time in his career.
Daniel De La Rosa has had good results this season, and sits in 6th spot. But he's still well behind #5 Ben Croft.
There are few changes in the 11-20 places including David Horn getting back in the top 20 and Anthony Herrera dropping out of the top 20. He's now 21st.
The IRT is in action this weekend on Long Island, New York with the New York City Pro-Am, which begins January 9th and runs to January 12th.
IRT Rankings - January 8, 2014
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3844
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3674
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2788
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2712
5 Ben CROFT (USA) 2352
6 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 1816
7 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 1766
8 Tony CARSON (USA) 1461
9 Marco ROJAS (USA) 1252
10 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1247
11 Jose DIAZ (USA) 1056
12 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 840
13 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 709
14 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 700
15 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 691
16 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 670
17 Cliff Swain (USA) 640
18 Charlie PRATT (USA) 637
19 Mauricio ZELADA (USA) 592
20 David HORN (USA) 571
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Waselenchuk wins 2014 IRT Coast to Coast California Open
Kane Waselenchuk demonstrated once again why he is the #1 racquetball player in the world, as he defeated Rocky Carson - the #2 player - in three straight games, 11-5, 11-0, 11-7, to win the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California. It's Waselenchuk's 73rd IRT tournament title.
Waselenchuk seems to be healthy now after missing a tournament earlier in the season due to injury, and afterwards said that "this was a tough" match, because he still feels like he's coming back from that injury. But Waselenchuk added "that's the kind of damage I can do when I'm healthy."
Proof of that is that Waselenchuk was playing against the #2 player in the world in Carson, and he blanked him in the second game. Waselenchuk also held IRT #4 Jose Rojas pointless in one of their semi-final games on Saturday.
A healthy Waselenchuk can very dangerous on court.
In the match, Waselenchuk primarily drove serve, but did so to left and the right as well as hitting some drive Z serves to the left. He used that Z serve on second serve as well as lob serves to the right side, which Waselenchuk sometimes did on first serve later in the match.
Carson used a variety of serves as well, but often went with an off speed drive serve to the right side - Waselenchuk's backhand.
Carson played tough, as Waselenchuk acknowledged afterwards, but Carson said it was a "frustrating match" for him due to the amount of pressure that Waselechuk was applying to him during the match. Carson was only really close to Waselenchuk in game three, when they were tied at 5-5.
But then Waselenchuk held Carson at 5, as he scored five straight points to get his first match point. Carson fought that off, as well as a second match point before Waselenchuk hit a winner on his third match point opportunity, winning it with a forehand kill shot on the right side of the court.
The IRT will be on Long Island, New York next weekend for the Cactus Salon New York City Pro/Am. Play begin Thursday January 9, 2014 and will be covered by the IRT Network all weekend.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 2 Rocky Carson, 11-5, 11-0, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk seems to be healthy now after missing a tournament earlier in the season due to injury, and afterwards said that "this was a tough" match, because he still feels like he's coming back from that injury. But Waselenchuk added "that's the kind of damage I can do when I'm healthy."
Proof of that is that Waselenchuk was playing against the #2 player in the world in Carson, and he blanked him in the second game. Waselenchuk also held IRT #4 Jose Rojas pointless in one of their semi-final games on Saturday.
A healthy Waselenchuk can very dangerous on court.
In the match, Waselenchuk primarily drove serve, but did so to left and the right as well as hitting some drive Z serves to the left. He used that Z serve on second serve as well as lob serves to the right side, which Waselenchuk sometimes did on first serve later in the match.
Carson used a variety of serves as well, but often went with an off speed drive serve to the right side - Waselenchuk's backhand.
Carson played tough, as Waselenchuk acknowledged afterwards, but Carson said it was a "frustrating match" for him due to the amount of pressure that Waselechuk was applying to him during the match. Carson was only really close to Waselenchuk in game three, when they were tied at 5-5.
But then Waselenchuk held Carson at 5, as he scored five straight points to get his first match point. Carson fought that off, as well as a second match point before Waselenchuk hit a winner on his third match point opportunity, winning it with a forehand kill shot on the right side of the court.
The IRT will be on Long Island, New York next weekend for the Cactus Salon New York City Pro/Am. Play begin Thursday January 9, 2014 and will be covered by the IRT Network all weekend.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 2 Rocky Carson, 11-5, 11-0, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
2014 IRT Coast to Coast California Open - Semi-finals
It's #1 versus #2 in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California, as Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, will take on Rocky Carson, IRT #2. Both advanced to the final by winning their first three matches of the tournament in three straight games.
In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk only gave up seven points to Jose Rojas, winning 11-6, 11-0, 11-1, and Carson was only slightly more generous with Alvaro Beltran, who he defeated 11-4, 11-4, 11-8.
Waselenchuk and Carson have met regularly in IRT finals over the past few season, but this will be only their second meeting this season, and first since early October when they faced off in the US Open final, which Waselenchuk won
That victory was Waselenchuk's 71st on tour, setting the career tournament wins record. A win in Reseda will be his 73rd tour victory. In contrast, a victory for Carson would be his 19th IRT title.
The IRT Network will broadcast the final at noon PST Sunday.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-0, 11-2
2 Rocky Carson d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8
Final - Sunday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 2 Rocky Carson - Noon PST
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk only gave up seven points to Jose Rojas, winning 11-6, 11-0, 11-1, and Carson was only slightly more generous with Alvaro Beltran, who he defeated 11-4, 11-4, 11-8.
Waselenchuk and Carson have met regularly in IRT finals over the past few season, but this will be only their second meeting this season, and first since early October when they faced off in the US Open final, which Waselenchuk won
That victory was Waselenchuk's 71st on tour, setting the career tournament wins record. A win in Reseda will be his 73rd tour victory. In contrast, a victory for Carson would be his 19th IRT title.
The IRT Network will broadcast the final at noon PST Sunday.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-6, 11-0, 11-2
2 Rocky Carson d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8
Final - Sunday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 2 Rocky Carson - Noon PST
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 4, 2014
2014 IRT Coast to Coast California Open - Round of 16 & Quarter finals
The top four seeds are through to the semi-finals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California, but two of them didn't have an easy time getting there.
However, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and #2 Rocky Carson both won their Round of 16 and quarter final matches in three straight games. Waselenchuk defeated Tom Fuhrman, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2, in the 16s and Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-2, 11-2 in the quarters. Carson beat Matt Majxner, 12-10, 11-2, 11-0, in the 16s and Marco Rojas in the quarters, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7.
But IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran was pushed to a tie-breaker by Japanese veteran Hiroshi Shimizu, and then to extra points in that breaker, before he prevailed 4-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11. Beltran defeated Chris Crowther in the quarters, and will play Carson in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Jose Rojas, the IRT's #4 player, went tie-breaker in the semi-finals against Daniel De La Rosa, as De La Rosa won the first two games before Rojas rebounding to take the next three, winning 8-11, 5-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5.
The IRT Network will broadcast the semi-finals at 4 PM and 5 PM PST Saturday, and the final at noon Sunday.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Tom Fuhrman, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2
Jansen Allen d. 8 Ben Croft, 12-10, 11-7, 11-1
5 Daniel De La Rosa d. Javier Moreno, 11-1, 11-3, 5-11, 11-0
4 Jose Rojas d. David Horn, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 4-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11
6 Chris Crowther d. Alejandro Landa, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4
7 Marco Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5
2 Rocky Carson d. Matt Majxner, 12-10, 11-2, 11-0
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-2, 11-1
4 Jose Rojas d. 5 Daniel De La Rosa, 8-11, 5-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Chris Crowther
2 Rocky Carson d. 7 Marco Rojas, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 4 Jose Rojas - 5 PM PST
2 Rocky Carson v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM PST
Follow the bouncing ball….
However, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and #2 Rocky Carson both won their Round of 16 and quarter final matches in three straight games. Waselenchuk defeated Tom Fuhrman, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2, in the 16s and Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-2, 11-2 in the quarters. Carson beat Matt Majxner, 12-10, 11-2, 11-0, in the 16s and Marco Rojas in the quarters, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7.
But IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran was pushed to a tie-breaker by Japanese veteran Hiroshi Shimizu, and then to extra points in that breaker, before he prevailed 4-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11. Beltran defeated Chris Crowther in the quarters, and will play Carson in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Jose Rojas, the IRT's #4 player, went tie-breaker in the semi-finals against Daniel De La Rosa, as De La Rosa won the first two games before Rojas rebounding to take the next three, winning 8-11, 5-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5.
The IRT Network will broadcast the semi-finals at 4 PM and 5 PM PST Saturday, and the final at noon Sunday.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Tom Fuhrman, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2
Jansen Allen d. 8 Ben Croft, 12-10, 11-7, 11-1
5 Daniel De La Rosa d. Javier Moreno, 11-1, 11-3, 5-11, 11-0
4 Jose Rojas d. David Horn, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 4-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11
6 Chris Crowther d. Alejandro Landa, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4
7 Marco Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5
2 Rocky Carson d. Matt Majxner, 12-10, 11-2, 11-0
Quarter finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-2, 11-1
4 Jose Rojas d. 5 Daniel De La Rosa, 8-11, 5-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Chris Crowther
2 Rocky Carson d. 7 Marco Rojas, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 4 Jose Rojas - 5 PM PST
2 Rocky Carson v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM PST
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 3, 2014
2014 Coast to Coast California Open - Preliminary Results
There was only one upset in the preliminary rounds on Thursday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Coast to Coast California Open, and it was a minor upset, as Tom Fuhrman won the 16-17 seed match, defeating Francisco Troncoso, 8-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7.
The IRT Network has all of Friday's action. The Round of 16 begins at 10 AM PDT and the quarter finals from 4 PM PDT.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Preliminary Round 1
Amir Shahin d. John Wolfe, 10-12, 11-0, 11-8, 8-11, 11-2
Keith Minor d. Eric Harper, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Alejandro Arango d. Allan Hernandez
Armando Bermudez d. Felipe Munoz, WBF
Majeed Shahin d. Eddie Sada, 11-1, 11-5, 11-6
Preliminary Round 2
Q8 Tom Fuhrman d. Francisco Troncoso, 8-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7
Q1 Jansen Allen d. Amir Shahin, 11-6, 11-3, 11-0
Q4 Javier Moreno d. Keith Minor, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4
Q5 David Horn d. Alejandro Arango, 11-4, 12-10, 11-6
Q6 Hiroshi Shimizu d. Jeon Seung Jun, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7
Q3 Alejandro Landa d. Armando Bermudez, 11-3, 11-2, 11-0
Q2 Jose Diaz d. Majeed Shahin, 11-3, 11-4, 12-10
Q7 Matt Majxner d. Robert Collins, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
Main Draw of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Tom Fuhrman
8 Ben Croft v. Jansen Allen
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. Javier Moreno
4 Jose Rojas v. David Horn
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Hiroshi Shimizu
6 Chris Crowther v. Alejandro Landa
7 Marco Rojas v. Jose Diaz
2 Rocky Carson v. Matt Majxner
Follow the bouncing ball….
The IRT Network has all of Friday's action. The Round of 16 begins at 10 AM PDT and the quarter finals from 4 PM PDT.
2014 California Open - Reseda, California
Preliminary Round 1
Amir Shahin d. John Wolfe, 10-12, 11-0, 11-8, 8-11, 11-2
Keith Minor d. Eric Harper, 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Alejandro Arango d. Allan Hernandez
Armando Bermudez d. Felipe Munoz, WBF
Majeed Shahin d. Eddie Sada, 11-1, 11-5, 11-6
Preliminary Round 2
Q8 Tom Fuhrman d. Francisco Troncoso, 8-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7
Q1 Jansen Allen d. Amir Shahin, 11-6, 11-3, 11-0
Q4 Javier Moreno d. Keith Minor, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4
Q5 David Horn d. Alejandro Arango, 11-4, 12-10, 11-6
Q6 Hiroshi Shimizu d. Jeon Seung Jun, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7
Q3 Alejandro Landa d. Armando Bermudez, 11-3, 11-2, 11-0
Q2 Jose Diaz d. Majeed Shahin, 11-3, 11-4, 12-10
Q7 Matt Majxner d. Robert Collins, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
Main Draw of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Tom Fuhrman
8 Ben Croft v. Jansen Allen
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. Javier Moreno
4 Jose Rojas v. David Horn
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Hiroshi Shimizu
6 Chris Crowther v. Alejandro Landa
7 Marco Rojas v. Jose Diaz
2 Rocky Carson v. Matt Majxner
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 2, 2014
2014 California Open - Preview
It's 2014, and the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is wasting no time in getting back at it, as the California Open begins today in Reseda, California. The field is headlined by IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, and features 10 of the top 11 players.
If we look past the preliminary matches, Waselenchuk's road to another title could be one of his toughest, as he'll likely face IRT #5 Ben Croft in the quarter finals, then it will likely be either IRT #4 Jose Rojas or #6 Daniel De La Rosa in the semi-finals and then a likely final against IRT #2 Rocky Carson or #3 Alvaro Beltran.
Croft missed the last IRT event of 2013, the New Jersey Open, due to injury, which he described as a chronic one during the Coast to Coast California Open press conference on the IRT Network, although Croft did not state the exact nature of his injury. At that time, he wasn't even certain that he was going to play in Reseda.
However, Croft is in the draw, so we hope that means that he will be playing and if he's on the court, you can be certain Croft will give it all he's got.
Doubles in the future 2
During the press conference for the Coast to Coast California Open, IRT President Jason Mannino indicated that the IRT is interested in creating some doubles IRT events, but isn't sure when that will come about.
Also mentioned during the press conference, Rocky Carson will be playing doubles with Jose Rojas at the US National Doubles Championships in February and Mannino will play with Croft, if Croft is able.
The IRT Network will carry the action live over the web beginning Thursday night from 8 PM PDT and then all day Friday beginning at 10 AM PDT.
2014 Coast to Coast California Open - Reseda, California
Preliminary Round 1 Thursday
John Wolfe v. Amir Shahin
Eric Harper v. Keith Minor
Allan Hernandez v. Alejandro Arango
Felipe Munoz v. Armando Bermudez
Eddie Sada v. Majeed Shahin
Preliminary Round 2 Thursday
Q8 Francisco Troncoso v. Tom Fuhrman
Q1 Jansen Allen v. John Wolfe or Amir Shahin
Q4 Javier Moreno v. Eric Harper or Keith Minor
Q5 David Horn v. Allan Hernandez or Alejandro Arango
Q6 Hiroshi Shimizu v. Jeon Seung Jun
Q3 Alejandro Landa v. Felipe Munoz or Armando Bermudez
Q2 Jose Diaz v. Eddie Sada v. Majeed Shahin
Q7 Robert Collins v. Matt Majxner
Main Draw of 16 Friday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Ben Croft v. Q1
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Chris Crowther v. Q3
7 Marco Rojas v. Q2
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
If we look past the preliminary matches, Waselenchuk's road to another title could be one of his toughest, as he'll likely face IRT #5 Ben Croft in the quarter finals, then it will likely be either IRT #4 Jose Rojas or #6 Daniel De La Rosa in the semi-finals and then a likely final against IRT #2 Rocky Carson or #3 Alvaro Beltran.
Croft missed the last IRT event of 2013, the New Jersey Open, due to injury, which he described as a chronic one during the Coast to Coast California Open press conference on the IRT Network, although Croft did not state the exact nature of his injury. At that time, he wasn't even certain that he was going to play in Reseda.
However, Croft is in the draw, so we hope that means that he will be playing and if he's on the court, you can be certain Croft will give it all he's got.
Doubles in the future 2
During the press conference for the Coast to Coast California Open, IRT President Jason Mannino indicated that the IRT is interested in creating some doubles IRT events, but isn't sure when that will come about.
Also mentioned during the press conference, Rocky Carson will be playing doubles with Jose Rojas at the US National Doubles Championships in February and Mannino will play with Croft, if Croft is able.
The IRT Network will carry the action live over the web beginning Thursday night from 8 PM PDT and then all day Friday beginning at 10 AM PDT.
2014 Coast to Coast California Open - Reseda, California
Preliminary Round 1 Thursday
John Wolfe v. Amir Shahin
Eric Harper v. Keith Minor
Allan Hernandez v. Alejandro Arango
Felipe Munoz v. Armando Bermudez
Eddie Sada v. Majeed Shahin
Preliminary Round 2 Thursday
Q8 Francisco Troncoso v. Tom Fuhrman
Q1 Jansen Allen v. John Wolfe or Amir Shahin
Q4 Javier Moreno v. Eric Harper or Keith Minor
Q5 David Horn v. Allan Hernandez or Alejandro Arango
Q6 Hiroshi Shimizu v. Jeon Seung Jun
Q3 Alejandro Landa v. Felipe Munoz or Armando Bermudez
Q2 Jose Diaz v. Eddie Sada v. Majeed Shahin
Q7 Robert Collins v. Matt Majxner
Main Draw of 16 Friday
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Ben Croft v. Q1
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Chris Crowther v. Q3
7 Marco Rojas v. Q2
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
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