Frédérique Lambert knocked off the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour's (LPRT's) #2 player Rhonda Rajsich, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, in the quarter finals off the New Jersey Open to advance to her 3rd semi-final of the season and 3rd of her young career.
In the semis later on Saturday, Lambert, currently ranked 7th on the LPRT, will face LPRT #3 Maria Jose Vargas, as Vargas beat Susana Acosta, 11-8, 11-3, 11-2, in the quarters.
After looking in control in games one and two, Lambert fell behind Rajsich in game three, as the veteran went up 6-3 and got the score to 10-6 with two straight drive serve aces to the left side - Lambert's backhand.
But Lambert held off that first game point, and scored three points of her own to close the gap to 10-9. At that point, Rajsich's nose was bleeding and she had to take 14 min of injury time to make it stop.
Rajsich was able to stop the nose bleed, and she got the serve back when play resumed. However, Lambert did tie the game at 10-10. However, Rajsich held Lambert at 10 and score two consecutive points the game winner coming on another drive serve ace that stuck in the back left corner.
In game four, Lambert again looked in control as she took a 6-2 lead that she extended to 10-3. But credit Rajsich for not giving up and fighting back to close the gap to 10-9, fighting off three match points in the process.
Lambert finally won the match with a forehand cross court after Rajsich had dove to the back wall to keep the ball in play.
In the other two quarter finals, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria dropped the first game against Cheryl Gudinas, then stormed back to win in four, 5-11, 11-0, 11-2, 11-8, and Samantha Salas sweep by Aubrey Kirch, 11-4, 11-3, 11-0.
The New Jersey Open semi-finals are scheduled for 5 PM and 6 PM EST and can be view via the LPRT Network.
New Jersey Open, Warren, New Jersey
Quarter finals (seeding)
1 Paola Longoria d. 9 Cheryl Gudinas, 5-11, 11-0, 11-2, 11-8
4 Samantha Salas d. 12 Aubrey Kirch, 11-4, 11-3, 11-0
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 6 Susana Acosta, 11-8, 11-3, 11-2
7 Frédérique Lambert d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 4 Samantha Salas - 6 PM EST
3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 7 Frédérique Lambert - 5 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, March 8, 2014
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