Kane Waselenchuk defeated Rocky Carson for the 8th time in the 2014-15 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3, to win the Fresno Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California. This was the last Tier 1 event of the season, and the win should put Waselenchuk in the #1 spot when the new rankings come out next week.
Carson has been #1 the past few months due to Waselenchuk missing some tournaments because of injury earlier in the season. Carson didn’t miss any tournaments this season, and has been in at least the semi-finals each time except one quarterfinal.
Carson started the match well, leading 3-0. But he then fell behind as Waselenchuk scored six straight points to lead 6-3. They went back and forth from there, but the gap was never fewer than two, as Waselenchuk won game one 11-6.
In game two, Waselenchuk took the early lead, 4-0, and Carson came back and tied it 4-4, and then again at 6-6. Waselenchuk then pushed the lead to 9-6, and while Carson dug in and made Waselenchuk work for it, Carson couldn’t get any more points himself as Waselenchuk finished off the game, 11-6.
In game three, Waselenchuk again led early, and Carson again came back to 4-3, helped by two ace serves. But he couldn’t tie the score, and Waselenchuk racked up points in quick succession, using lob serves to both sides and at varying heights to begin rallies that he finished with some great shot-making.
The 2015-16 IRT season should begin in September. A recent conversation with Jason Mannino, IRT President, indicated that they are looking to have some Tier 1 events outside of the USA, which hasn’t happened for a few years now. That would be exciting and could bring some different players to the tour to challenge the veterans.
We look forward to next season. It’ll be here soon.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
Final
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 1 Rocky Carson, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Carson & Waselenchuk to meet in Fresno Summer Kickoff final
Rocky Carson, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), defeated fifth seed Marco Rojas, 11-9, 11-1, 11-3, in the semi-finals of the Fresno Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California. He’ll face off with IRT #2 Kane Waselenchuk in the final Saturday night, as Waselenchuk beat Alvaro Beltran, 11-5, 12-10, 11-7.
Rojas had the lead late in game one against Carson at 8-4 and 9-8. But he wasn’t able to finish. The mark of a champion is winning a game that you have no business winning, and that’s what Carson did.
After that Carson rolled through games two and three.
Waselenchuk also won in straight games, although Beltran played him closer. But wasn’t close early in game one, as Waselenchuk took a 10-2 lead. Beltran scored three unanswered points, and thought he had an opportunity to score more. But his return of serve on Waselenchuk’s the third game point was called a skip, ending the game at 11-5.
Beltran didn’t take the call well. He threw his racquet in the direction of the referee while still on the court, and it bounced off the court walls. The result was a technical assessed to begin game two. Thus, Waselenchuk began serving at 0-(-1).
In game two, Waselenchuk again took a big lead at 9-2, and again Beltran came back. This time he tied the game at 10-10 when Waselenchuk skipped a touch shot at the front of the court after Beltran had dove to keep the ball in play. But Beltran couldn’t score on the ensuing rally despite two more dives. With the serve back, Waselenchuk scored two points to finish the game with the winning point coming off a backhand cross court.
Beltran got his first leads of the match in game three at 1-0 and 2-1. But Waselenchuk took the lead after that and never gave it up, although they were close at 6-5. From there Waselenchuk scored five unanswered points to lead 10-5.
A backhand cross court return got the serve back for Beltran. He scored two points with a forehand pinch, and an encroachment call on Waselenchuk. Beltran wanted an avoidable on the next rally, but the referee ruled only a hinder on Waselenchuk, who hits a winning return down the line to regain serve. The match ends with a Beltran backhand skip.
Carson and Waselenchuk will be meeting in the final for the 8th time this season. Waselenchuk has won all seven of the previous matches, and six of the seven matches were three straight games. Only once did their final go four games, and that was the first final of the season in San Marcos back in September.
The final at 7 PM PDT Saturday via the IRT Network.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson d. 5 Marco Rojas, 11-9, 11-1, 11-3
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-5, 12-10, 11-7
Final
1 Rocky Carson v. 2 Kane Waselenchuk - 7 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rojas had the lead late in game one against Carson at 8-4 and 9-8. But he wasn’t able to finish. The mark of a champion is winning a game that you have no business winning, and that’s what Carson did.
After that Carson rolled through games two and three.
Waselenchuk also won in straight games, although Beltran played him closer. But wasn’t close early in game one, as Waselenchuk took a 10-2 lead. Beltran scored three unanswered points, and thought he had an opportunity to score more. But his return of serve on Waselenchuk’s the third game point was called a skip, ending the game at 11-5.
Beltran didn’t take the call well. He threw his racquet in the direction of the referee while still on the court, and it bounced off the court walls. The result was a technical assessed to begin game two. Thus, Waselenchuk began serving at 0-(-1).
In game two, Waselenchuk again took a big lead at 9-2, and again Beltran came back. This time he tied the game at 10-10 when Waselenchuk skipped a touch shot at the front of the court after Beltran had dove to keep the ball in play. But Beltran couldn’t score on the ensuing rally despite two more dives. With the serve back, Waselenchuk scored two points to finish the game with the winning point coming off a backhand cross court.
Beltran got his first leads of the match in game three at 1-0 and 2-1. But Waselenchuk took the lead after that and never gave it up, although they were close at 6-5. From there Waselenchuk scored five unanswered points to lead 10-5.
A backhand cross court return got the serve back for Beltran. He scored two points with a forehand pinch, and an encroachment call on Waselenchuk. Beltran wanted an avoidable on the next rally, but the referee ruled only a hinder on Waselenchuk, who hits a winning return down the line to regain serve. The match ends with a Beltran backhand skip.
Carson and Waselenchuk will be meeting in the final for the 8th time this season. Waselenchuk has won all seven of the previous matches, and six of the seven matches were three straight games. Only once did their final go four games, and that was the first final of the season in San Marcos back in September.
The final at 7 PM PDT Saturday via the IRT Network.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson d. 5 Marco Rojas, 11-9, 11-1, 11-3
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-5, 12-10, 11-7
Final
1 Rocky Carson v. 2 Kane Waselenchuk - 7 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT Fresno Summer Kickoff - Quarterfinals
Fifth seed Marco Rojas upset 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7, in the quarterfinals of the Fresno Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California - the last International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event of the season. It’s the third time the two have met on tour, and Rojas has won all three. In fact, Rojas’s first IRT match was against De La Rosa back in 2010 in San Diego.
Rojas will play IRT #1 Rocky Carson in the semi-finals Saturday morning, as Carson defeated Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-5, 7-11, 11-3, in the quarters. Rojas played Carson nine times on tour, and lost all nine.
Second seed Kane Waselenchuk beat Rojas’s brother, Jose, in straight games, 11-6, 12-10, 11-5, although Jose Rojas had a big lead in game two, at 9-5, and even led 10-8. It looked like the match would go at least four games, but Waselenchuk, who’s on a mission to reclaim the #1 ranking, came back, aided by two late serve return errors by Rojas that gave Waselenchuk his first game point. But at that point, Rojas hit a winning return to regain serve.
However, Rojas wasn’t able to pull out game two, and in game three he went down 7-1 to Waselenchuk, and the writing was on the wall.
Third seed Alvaro Beltran will be Waselenchuk’s opponent in the semis, as he defeated Charlie Pratt, 11-1, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4.
You can watch the semi-finals at 11 AM and noon PDT via the IRT Network. on Saturday, and the final at 7 PM PDT Saturday night.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
Quarterfinals
1 Rocky Carson d. 8 Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-5, 7-11, 11-3
5 Marco Rojas d. 4 Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Charlie Pratt, 11-1, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 7 Jose Rojas, 11-6, 12-10, 11-5
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson v. 5 Marco Rojas - 11 AM PDT
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rojas will play IRT #1 Rocky Carson in the semi-finals Saturday morning, as Carson defeated Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-5, 7-11, 11-3, in the quarters. Rojas played Carson nine times on tour, and lost all nine.
Second seed Kane Waselenchuk beat Rojas’s brother, Jose, in straight games, 11-6, 12-10, 11-5, although Jose Rojas had a big lead in game two, at 9-5, and even led 10-8. It looked like the match would go at least four games, but Waselenchuk, who’s on a mission to reclaim the #1 ranking, came back, aided by two late serve return errors by Rojas that gave Waselenchuk his first game point. But at that point, Rojas hit a winning return to regain serve.
However, Rojas wasn’t able to pull out game two, and in game three he went down 7-1 to Waselenchuk, and the writing was on the wall.
Third seed Alvaro Beltran will be Waselenchuk’s opponent in the semis, as he defeated Charlie Pratt, 11-1, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4.
You can watch the semi-finals at 11 AM and noon PDT via the IRT Network. on Saturday, and the final at 7 PM PDT Saturday night.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
Quarterfinals
1 Rocky Carson d. 8 Jansen Allen, 11-2, 11-5, 7-11, 11-3
5 Marco Rojas d. 4 Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Charlie Pratt, 11-1, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 7 Jose Rojas, 11-6, 12-10, 11-5
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson v. 5 Marco Rojas - 11 AM PDT
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, May 29, 2015
IRT Fresno Summer Kickoff - Round of 16
The cream is rising to the top at the Fresno Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California - the last International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event of the season. Top seed Rocky Carson defeated Majeed Shahin in straight games, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4, and 2nd seed Kane Waselenchuk also won in straight games over Teobaldo Fumero, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0.
Carson will face Jansen Allen in the quarterfinals Friday night, as Allen defeated Robert Collins, 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0, while Waselenchuk will play Jose Rojas, who won the Jose/Jose battle, taking out Jose Diaz in three games, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3.
You can watch the quarterfinals beginning at 4 PM PDT via the IRT Network. Note: the semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final at 7 PM PDT Saturday night.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
Round of 16
1 Rocky Carson d. Majeed Shahin, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4
8 Jansen Allen d. Robert Collins, 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0
5 Marco Rojas d. Felipe Camacho, 11-8, 11-2, 11-1
4 Daniel De La Rosa d. David Horn, 11-2, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Javier Moreno, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7
6 Charlie Pratt v. Matthew Majxner
7 Jose Rojas v. Jose Diaz, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. Teobaldo Fumero, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0
Quarterfinals
1 Rocky Carson v. 8 Jansen Allen - 4 PM PDT
4 Daniel De La Rosa v. 5 Marco Rojas - 6 PM PDT
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 6 Charlie Pratt or Matthew Majxner - 7 PM PDT
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 7 Jose Rojas - 5 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Carson will face Jansen Allen in the quarterfinals Friday night, as Allen defeated Robert Collins, 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0, while Waselenchuk will play Jose Rojas, who won the Jose/Jose battle, taking out Jose Diaz in three games, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3.
You can watch the quarterfinals beginning at 4 PM PDT via the IRT Network. Note: the semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final at 7 PM PDT Saturday night.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
Round of 16
1 Rocky Carson d. Majeed Shahin, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4
8 Jansen Allen d. Robert Collins, 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-0
5 Marco Rojas d. Felipe Camacho, 11-8, 11-2, 11-1
4 Daniel De La Rosa d. David Horn, 11-2, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6
3 Alvaro Beltran d. Javier Moreno, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7
6 Charlie Pratt v. Matthew Majxner
7 Jose Rojas v. Jose Diaz, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. Teobaldo Fumero, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0
Quarterfinals
1 Rocky Carson v. 8 Jansen Allen - 4 PM PDT
4 Daniel De La Rosa v. 5 Marco Rojas - 6 PM PDT
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 6 Charlie Pratt or Matthew Majxner - 7 PM PDT
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 7 Jose Rojas - 5 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT Fresno Summer Kickoff - Round of 32
No surprises in the preliminary rounds of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Fresno Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California on Thursday, so there will be a a Mexican standoff between Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno, as well as the Jose v. Jose battle, as Jose Rojas and Jose Diaz will square off.
You can follow this weekend’s action via the IRT Network beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
First round
Brian Pineda d. Carlos Borjas, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9
Mauro Rojas d. Matthew Barserian, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-4
Terry Mumby d. Brian Watson, 11-1, 10-12, 11-4, 3-11, 11-8
Set Cubillos d. John Wolfe, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9
Round of 32
Q8: Majeed Shahin d. Herb Yamashiro, 11-3, 11-7, 12-10
Q1: Robert Collins d. Brian Pineda, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2
Q4: Felipe Camacho d. Mauro Rojas, 4-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6
Q5: David Horn d. Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 11-5, 11-8, 11-2
Q6: Javier Moreno d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-9, 11-4, 4-11, 11-4
Q3: Matthew Majxner d. Terry Mumby, 9-11, 11-0, 11-0, 11-9
Q2: Jose Diaz d. Set Cubillos, 11-4, 11-4, 11-1
Q7: Teobaldo Fumero d. Hiroshi Shimzu, forfeit
Round of 16
1 Rocky Carson v. Majeed Shahin
8 Jansen Allen v. Robert Collins
5 Marco Rojas v. Felipe Camacho
4 Daniel De La Rosa v. David Horn
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Javier Moreno
6 Charlie Pratt v. Matthew Majxner
7 Jose Rojas v. Jose Diaz
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. Teobaldo Fumero
Follow the bouncing ball….
You can follow this weekend’s action via the IRT Network beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
First round
Brian Pineda d. Carlos Borjas, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9
Mauro Rojas d. Matthew Barserian, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-4
Terry Mumby d. Brian Watson, 11-1, 10-12, 11-4, 3-11, 11-8
Set Cubillos d. John Wolfe, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9
Round of 32
Q8: Majeed Shahin d. Herb Yamashiro, 11-3, 11-7, 12-10
Q1: Robert Collins d. Brian Pineda, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2
Q4: Felipe Camacho d. Mauro Rojas, 4-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6
Q5: David Horn d. Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 11-5, 11-8, 11-2
Q6: Javier Moreno d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-9, 11-4, 4-11, 11-4
Q3: Matthew Majxner d. Terry Mumby, 9-11, 11-0, 11-0, 11-9
Q2: Jose Diaz d. Set Cubillos, 11-4, 11-4, 11-1
Q7: Teobaldo Fumero d. Hiroshi Shimzu, forfeit
Round of 16
1 Rocky Carson v. Majeed Shahin
8 Jansen Allen v. Robert Collins
5 Marco Rojas v. Felipe Camacho
4 Daniel De La Rosa v. David Horn
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Javier Moreno
6 Charlie Pratt v. Matthew Majxner
7 Jose Rojas v. Jose Diaz
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. Teobaldo Fumero
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, May 28, 2015
IRT Fresno Summer Kickoff Preview
The final event of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2014-15 season begins today in Fresno, California with the Fresno Summer Kickoff. There's a good field of 28 players with all the top players except for Ben Croft, who has reportedly had shoulder surgery. He also missed the previous event in Edinburg, Texas.
There could be a Mexican standoff in Fresno, as veterans and doubles partners Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno are scheduled to meet in the Round of 16. Moreno will need to beat Francisco Troncoso to make that happen though.
Also potential Round of 16 matches are David Horn versus Daniel De La Rosa and Jose v. Jose, as Jose Rojas and Jose Diaz could square off.
Race for #1
Finally, of course, the interest in Fresno will likely be about Kane Waselenchuk, who has been the season ending IRT #1 for the past six seasons, but has been #2 the last few months, as injury kept him out events early in the season.
Rocky Carson is the #1 IRT player, and could finish as #1, if Waselenchuk fails to win in Fresno. But Waselenchuk's won all but one event he's entered this season, and that loss was a withdrawal due to his inner ear injury, which also prevented him from playing in three other events this season.
Thus, if you've bet on Carson to finish #1, you should have got very favourable odds, because Waselenchuk's the clear favourite.
You can follow this weekend’s action via the IRT Network beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
First round
Brian Pineda v. Carlos Borjas
Matthew Barserian v. Mauro Rojas
Brian Watson v. Terry Mumby
Set Cubillos v. John Wolfe
Round of 32
Q8: Majeed Shahin v. Herb Yamashiro
Q1: Robert Collins v. Brian Pineda or Carlos Borjas
Q4: Felipe Camacho v. Matthew Barserian or Mauro Rojas
Q5: David Horn v. Miguel Rodriguez Jr.
Q6: Javier Moreno v. Francisco Troncoso
Q3: Matthew Majxner v. Brian Watson or Terry Mumby
Q2: Jose Diaz v. Set Cubillos or John Wolfe
Q7: Hiroshi Shimzu v. Teobaldo Fumero
Round of 16
1 Rocky Carson v. Q8
8 Jansen Allen v. Q1
5 Marco Rojas v. Q4
4 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Charlie Pratt v. Q3
7 Jose Rojas v. Q2
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
There could be a Mexican standoff in Fresno, as veterans and doubles partners Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno are scheduled to meet in the Round of 16. Moreno will need to beat Francisco Troncoso to make that happen though.
Also potential Round of 16 matches are David Horn versus Daniel De La Rosa and Jose v. Jose, as Jose Rojas and Jose Diaz could square off.
Race for #1
Finally, of course, the interest in Fresno will likely be about Kane Waselenchuk, who has been the season ending IRT #1 for the past six seasons, but has been #2 the last few months, as injury kept him out events early in the season.
Rocky Carson is the #1 IRT player, and could finish as #1, if Waselenchuk fails to win in Fresno. But Waselenchuk's won all but one event he's entered this season, and that loss was a withdrawal due to his inner ear injury, which also prevented him from playing in three other events this season.
Thus, if you've bet on Carson to finish #1, you should have got very favourable odds, because Waselenchuk's the clear favourite.
You can follow this weekend’s action via the IRT Network beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday.
2015 Fresno Summer Kickoff
Fresno, California
First round
Brian Pineda v. Carlos Borjas
Matthew Barserian v. Mauro Rojas
Brian Watson v. Terry Mumby
Set Cubillos v. John Wolfe
Round of 32
Q8: Majeed Shahin v. Herb Yamashiro
Q1: Robert Collins v. Brian Pineda or Carlos Borjas
Q4: Felipe Camacho v. Matthew Barserian or Mauro Rojas
Q5: David Horn v. Miguel Rodriguez Jr.
Q6: Javier Moreno v. Francisco Troncoso
Q3: Matthew Majxner v. Brian Watson or Terry Mumby
Q2: Jose Diaz v. Set Cubillos or John Wolfe
Q7: Hiroshi Shimzu v. Teobaldo Fumero
Round of 16
1 Rocky Carson v. Q8
8 Jansen Allen v. Q1
5 Marco Rojas v. Q4
4 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Charlie Pratt v. Q3
7 Jose Rojas v. Q2
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Longoria top LPRT rankings for 6th time
Several changes in the top 20 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season ending rankings from 2013-14 to 2014-15, including changes in the top five. But for the 4th season in a row - and 6th in the last 7 seasons - Paola Longoria is the #1 women's professional racquetball player. Her six season ending #1 titles tie her for 2nd all time with Lynn Adams and put her one behind Michelle Gould with seven.
But the LPRT's #2 player has changed, as Maria Jose Vargas passed Rhonda Rajsich this season for the second spot, which is a career best finish for Vargas. Rajsich is #3.
Also on a career high is Frédérique Lambert, who finished 4th ahead of Samantha Salas in 5th and Cristina Amaya in 6th. Lambert was 6th last year.
New to the top 10 are Michelle Key and Sofia Rascon, who came in 7th and 8th, respectively, both career highs for them. Da'monique Davis rounds out the top 10 at #10.
But notably, Cheryl Gudinas finished 9th this season, up from 11th last season, and it's her 21st top 10 finish on the women's pro tour, which is far more than any other woman. Jackie Paraiso is 2nd with 16 top ten finishes and Rajsich is 3rd with 15.
Four new players in the next 10, as Alexandra Herrera is 12th, Jessica Parrilla 14th, Kim Thomas 18th, and Lucia Gonzalez 20th.
Those four players replaced Aubrey Kirch, who was 7th last season, Sharon Jackson (16th), Jennifer Saunders (17th), and Hailey Miller (18th).
LPRT Rankings - May 25, 2015
2014-15 SEASON ENDING RANKINGS
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2689.00
2 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1980.00
3 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1565.48
4 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 897.00
5 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 733.00
6 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 704.50
7 Michelle Key (USA) 549.97
8 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 499.00
9 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 485.50
10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 481.75
11 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 453.50
12 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 430.00
13 Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) 346.50
14 Sheryl Lotts (USA) 345.54
15 Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) 295.44
16 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 257.25
17 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 250.50
18 Kim Thomas (USA) 236.54
19 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 212.50
20 Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico) 166.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
But the LPRT's #2 player has changed, as Maria Jose Vargas passed Rhonda Rajsich this season for the second spot, which is a career best finish for Vargas. Rajsich is #3.
Also on a career high is Frédérique Lambert, who finished 4th ahead of Samantha Salas in 5th and Cristina Amaya in 6th. Lambert was 6th last year.
New to the top 10 are Michelle Key and Sofia Rascon, who came in 7th and 8th, respectively, both career highs for them. Da'monique Davis rounds out the top 10 at #10.
But notably, Cheryl Gudinas finished 9th this season, up from 11th last season, and it's her 21st top 10 finish on the women's pro tour, which is far more than any other woman. Jackie Paraiso is 2nd with 16 top ten finishes and Rajsich is 3rd with 15.
Four new players in the next 10, as Alexandra Herrera is 12th, Jessica Parrilla 14th, Kim Thomas 18th, and Lucia Gonzalez 20th.
Those four players replaced Aubrey Kirch, who was 7th last season, Sharon Jackson (16th), Jennifer Saunders (17th), and Hailey Miller (18th).
LPRT Rankings - May 25, 2015
2014-15 SEASON ENDING RANKINGS
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2689.00
2 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1980.00
3 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1565.48
4 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 897.00
5 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 733.00
6 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 704.50
7 Michelle Key (USA) 549.97
8 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 499.00
9 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 485.50
10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 481.75
11 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 453.50
12 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 430.00
13 Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) 346.50
14 Sheryl Lotts (USA) 345.54
15 Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) 295.44
16 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 257.25
17 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 250.50
18 Kim Thomas (USA) 236.54
19 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 212.50
20 Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico) 166.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Bredenbeck & Rajsich defend successfully at US Singles Championships
Jake Brendenbeck and Rhonda Rajsich successfully defended their titles in the US Team Qualifying Men's and Women's divisions, respectively, at the USA Racquetball (USAR) Nationals in Denver, Colorado. Bredenbeck defeated Marco Rojas, 15-8, 15-11, to win his 2nd title, while Rajsich won for an 8th time by defeating Cheryl Gudinas in the final, 15-7, 15-5.
Rajsich's win is also her fifth consecutive win, tying her with Gudinas and Michelle Gould for most consecutive titles. The three - Rajsich, Gudinas and Gould - now are also tied with most titles overall with eight.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 20-24, 2015, Denver, Colorado
Men's US Team Qualifying
Final
Jake Bredenbeck d. Marco Rojas, 15-8, 15-11
3rd Place
David Horn d. Adam Manilla, 15-7, 14-15, 11-8
Women's US Team Qualifying
Final
Rhonda Rajsich d. Cheryl Gudinas, 15-7, 15-5
3rd Place
Kimberly Thomas d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-9, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rajsich's win is also her fifth consecutive win, tying her with Gudinas and Michelle Gould for most consecutive titles. The three - Rajsich, Gudinas and Gould - now are also tied with most titles overall with eight.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 20-24, 2015, Denver, Colorado
Men's US Team Qualifying
Final
Jake Bredenbeck d. Marco Rojas, 15-8, 15-11
3rd Place
David Horn d. Adam Manilla, 15-7, 14-15, 11-8
Women's US Team Qualifying
Final
Rhonda Rajsich d. Cheryl Gudinas, 15-7, 15-5
3rd Place
Kimberly Thomas d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-9, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
New Men's & Women's Canadian Racquetball Champions
Coby Iwaasa and Frédérique Lambert both won their first Canadian National Championship in Men's and Women's Open Singles, respectively, at the 2015 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Burnaby, B.C. Saturday. Lambert ended the reign of six time defending champion Jennifer Saunders in two straight games, 15-7, 15-7, while a new men's champion was guaranteed as Iwaasa and Samuel Murray were each in the men's final for the first time.
Iwaasa prevailed, but needed a tie-breaker to win his first title with the final score of 15-10, 12-15, 11-7. Iwaasa won Men's Doubles earlier in the week with Mike Green, and becomes the sixth man to win both Open Singles and Open Doubles at the Canadian Championships.
The players to previously win both are Mike Ceresia, Kane Waselenchuk, Vincent Gagnon, Wayne Bowes, who did it twice, and Green, who won both five times.
Iwaasa got a good start in game one, going out to a 13-2 lead. But Murray dug in, and made it close before Iwaasa finished it off at 15-10. Murray's momentum continued in game two, as they were close all the way.
Iwaasa had a slight advantage at 10-8 late in game two, but Murray tied it at 10-10, and then went ahead 12-10. Iwaasa tied it at 12-12, but Murray held him there, scoring three points to take game two and force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Iwaasa seemed to find another gear early, as he drove serve well to score three quick points with a drive serve to the right, to the left and then a Z to the right. He extended that lead to 7-1, and looked like he might roll over Murray.
But again Murray came back using a kiss lob serve to the left side (Iwaasa's backhand), as well as lobs to the right, and a half Z lob to the right (Iwaasa's forehand). He got within one at 8-7.
Then there was a long rally that ended with Iwaasa making a touch forehand shot down the line in the front court. A timeout was called, and when play resumed Iwaasa got three straight points without giving up serve, including an drive serve ace to the left side.
The winning shot came after Iwaasa drove the ball to the right side, Murray hit a ceiling ball, and Iwaasa finished it off with a forehand pinch winner.
This is the first time since 2002 that both the Men's and Women's Canadian Open Singles Champions are winning their first titles. In 2002, Green and Saunders both won for the first time.
This was the last opportunity for players to earn points to qualify them for the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July. The results from this week will be used to recommend players to the Canadian Olympic Committee, who will make the final team selections. That announcement is expected in approximately a week.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles (seedings)
Final
4) Coby Iwaasa d. 2) Samuel Murray, 15-10, 12-15, 11-7
3rd Place
3) Vincent Gagnon d. 1) Mike Green, forfeit
5th Place
James Landeryou d. Tim Landeryou, 15-6, 15-10
7th Place
Nathaniel Husulak d. Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-6
9th Place
Pedro Castro d. Nicolas Bousquet, 15-10, 15-13
11th Place
Tanner Mattson d. Trevor Webb, 15-12, 16-14
Women's Open Singles
Final
1) Frédérique Lambert v. 2) Jennifer Saunders
3rd Place
4) Michele Morissette d. 6) Valerie Fallu, 15-13, 9-15, 11-6
5th Place
Christine Richardson d. Linda Ellerington, 15-9, 15-8
7th Place
Alexis Iwaasa d. Brigitte Richard, forfeit
9th Place
Danielle Drury d. McKenzie Brayley, 15-7, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball…
Iwaasa prevailed, but needed a tie-breaker to win his first title with the final score of 15-10, 12-15, 11-7. Iwaasa won Men's Doubles earlier in the week with Mike Green, and becomes the sixth man to win both Open Singles and Open Doubles at the Canadian Championships.
The players to previously win both are Mike Ceresia, Kane Waselenchuk, Vincent Gagnon, Wayne Bowes, who did it twice, and Green, who won both five times.
Iwaasa got a good start in game one, going out to a 13-2 lead. But Murray dug in, and made it close before Iwaasa finished it off at 15-10. Murray's momentum continued in game two, as they were close all the way.
Iwaasa had a slight advantage at 10-8 late in game two, but Murray tied it at 10-10, and then went ahead 12-10. Iwaasa tied it at 12-12, but Murray held him there, scoring three points to take game two and force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Iwaasa seemed to find another gear early, as he drove serve well to score three quick points with a drive serve to the right, to the left and then a Z to the right. He extended that lead to 7-1, and looked like he might roll over Murray.
But again Murray came back using a kiss lob serve to the left side (Iwaasa's backhand), as well as lobs to the right, and a half Z lob to the right (Iwaasa's forehand). He got within one at 8-7.
Then there was a long rally that ended with Iwaasa making a touch forehand shot down the line in the front court. A timeout was called, and when play resumed Iwaasa got three straight points without giving up serve, including an drive serve ace to the left side.
The winning shot came after Iwaasa drove the ball to the right side, Murray hit a ceiling ball, and Iwaasa finished it off with a forehand pinch winner.
This is the first time since 2002 that both the Men's and Women's Canadian Open Singles Champions are winning their first titles. In 2002, Green and Saunders both won for the first time.
This was the last opportunity for players to earn points to qualify them for the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July. The results from this week will be used to recommend players to the Canadian Olympic Committee, who will make the final team selections. That announcement is expected in approximately a week.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles (seedings)
Final
4) Coby Iwaasa d. 2) Samuel Murray, 15-10, 12-15, 11-7
3rd Place
3) Vincent Gagnon d. 1) Mike Green, forfeit
5th Place
James Landeryou d. Tim Landeryou, 15-6, 15-10
7th Place
Nathaniel Husulak d. Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-6
9th Place
Pedro Castro d. Nicolas Bousquet, 15-10, 15-13
11th Place
Tanner Mattson d. Trevor Webb, 15-12, 16-14
Women's Open Singles
Final
1) Frédérique Lambert v. 2) Jennifer Saunders
3rd Place
4) Michele Morissette d. 6) Valerie Fallu, 15-13, 9-15, 11-6
5th Place
Christine Richardson d. Linda Ellerington, 15-9, 15-8
7th Place
Alexis Iwaasa d. Brigitte Richard, forfeit
9th Place
Danielle Drury d. McKenzie Brayley, 15-7, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball…
Friday, May 22, 2015
Change & consistency at Canadian Racquetball Championships
Friday's semi-final results in Men's Open at the 2015 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Burnaby, B.C. could be the signal of a changing of the guard in Canada, as the veterans Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon were defeated by players more than 10 years their junior.
Green, 41 and the top seed, lost to 18 year old Coby Iwaasa, 15-11, 15-12, while Gagnon, 33, lost to 21 year old Samuel Murray, 15-10, 15-10. It's the first time Iwaasa's defeated Green, but the third time Murray's beaten Gagnon in the last seven months.
Both Green and Gagnon had significant leads during their matches. Green was ahead 7-2 in game one, and 11-7 in games two, and Gagnon was up 8-1 in game one, but neither could not capitalize on those advantages.
Thus, Murray and Iwaasa will face off in the first Canadian Men's Open final without either Green or Gagnon since 2005, when Corey Osborne defeated Kris Odegard.
As much as the men's side is about change, the women's side is about consistency, as Jennifer Saunders and Frédérique Lambert - the top two seeds - will face off for the second consecutive year, and fifth time in the last seven years. In fact, Saunders has been in the final every year since 2000, when the tournament was also in Burnaby and Christie Van Hees defeated Lori-Jane Powell in the final.
Saunders has won eight of the fifteen finals she has been in, including the last six consecutive finals, five of which have been against Lambert. Lambert has yet to win a Canadian singles championship, although she did win doubles with Brandi Jacobson Prentice in 2010.
On Friday, Lambert defeated Michèle Morissette, 15-2, 15-12, in one semi-final, and Saunders beat Valerie Fallu, 15-6, 15-12, in the other.
The singles finals are Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
You can watch the action live via Sports Canada.tv on Saturday. The women's final is at noon PDT and the men's final is at 1 PM PDT.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles (seedings)
Semi-finals - Friday
4) Coby Iwaasa d. 1) Mike Green, 15-11, 15-12
2) Samuel Murray d. 3) Vincent Gagnon, 15-10, 15-10
Final - Saturday
2) Samuel Murray v. 4) Coby Iwaasa - 1 PM PDT
Women's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Frédérique Lambert v. 4) Michele Morissette, 15-2, 15-12
2) Jennifer Saunders v. 6) Valerie Fallu, 15-6, 15-12
Final - Saturday
1) Frédérique Lambert v. 2) Jennifer Saunders - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball…
Green, 41 and the top seed, lost to 18 year old Coby Iwaasa, 15-11, 15-12, while Gagnon, 33, lost to 21 year old Samuel Murray, 15-10, 15-10. It's the first time Iwaasa's defeated Green, but the third time Murray's beaten Gagnon in the last seven months.
Both Green and Gagnon had significant leads during their matches. Green was ahead 7-2 in game one, and 11-7 in games two, and Gagnon was up 8-1 in game one, but neither could not capitalize on those advantages.
Thus, Murray and Iwaasa will face off in the first Canadian Men's Open final without either Green or Gagnon since 2005, when Corey Osborne defeated Kris Odegard.
As much as the men's side is about change, the women's side is about consistency, as Jennifer Saunders and Frédérique Lambert - the top two seeds - will face off for the second consecutive year, and fifth time in the last seven years. In fact, Saunders has been in the final every year since 2000, when the tournament was also in Burnaby and Christie Van Hees defeated Lori-Jane Powell in the final.
Saunders has won eight of the fifteen finals she has been in, including the last six consecutive finals, five of which have been against Lambert. Lambert has yet to win a Canadian singles championship, although she did win doubles with Brandi Jacobson Prentice in 2010.
On Friday, Lambert defeated Michèle Morissette, 15-2, 15-12, in one semi-final, and Saunders beat Valerie Fallu, 15-6, 15-12, in the other.
The singles finals are Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
You can watch the action live via Sports Canada.tv on Saturday. The women's final is at noon PDT and the men's final is at 1 PM PDT.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles (seedings)
Semi-finals - Friday
4) Coby Iwaasa d. 1) Mike Green, 15-11, 15-12
2) Samuel Murray d. 3) Vincent Gagnon, 15-10, 15-10
Final - Saturday
2) Samuel Murray v. 4) Coby Iwaasa - 1 PM PDT
Women's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Frédérique Lambert v. 4) Michele Morissette, 15-2, 15-12
2) Jennifer Saunders v. 6) Valerie Fallu, 15-6, 15-12
Final - Saturday
1) Frédérique Lambert v. 2) Jennifer Saunders - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball…
Bredenbeck & Rajsich can defend titles at US National Singles Championships
The top seeds and defending champions - Jake Brendenbeck and Rhonda Rajsich - made it through to the finals in the US Team Qualifying Men's and Women's, respectively, divisions at the USA Racquetball (USAR) Nationals in Denver, Colorado. Bredenbeck played twice on the Friday, defeating Jeff Stark, 15-12, 15-8, in the quarterfinals and Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-13, in the semi-finals.
Manilla was a surprise semi-finalists, as he upset 4th seed Jansen Allen, 15-14, 13-15, 11-8, in the quarters.
Marco Rojas will face Bredenbeck in the final in what will be a rematch of one of last year's semi-finals, which Bredenbeck won. He went on to take the title last year, defeating David Horn in the final.
This year, Rojas took out Horn in the semis, 15-12, 15-4, to earn his rematch with Bredenbeck.
Either Bredenbeck or Rojas has won this title each of the last three years. Bredenbeck won it in 2014. Rojas won in 2013 and 2012.
In the Women's US Team Qualifying Division, Rajsich will face 2nd seed Cheryl Gudinas in the final. In the semi-finals, Rajsich defeated T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-15, 15-5, and Gudinas beat Kimberly Thomas, 15-8, 15-9.
A win for Rajsich will be her 8th USA Racquetball championship in Women's Singles, which would tie her with Gudinas and Michelle Gould for the most ever. Also, it would be Rajsich's fifth consecutive win, which would tie her with Gudinas and Gould for most consecutive titles.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 20-24, 2015, Denver, Colorado
Men's US Team Qualifying
Quarterfinals
Jake Bredenbeck d. Jeff Stark, 15-12, 15-8
Adam Manilla d. Jansen Allen, 15-14, 13-15, 11-8
Marco Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 13-15, 15-13, 11-6
David Horn d. Anthony Herrera, 15-3, 3-15, 11-3
Semi-finals
Jake Bredenbeck d. Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-13
Marco Rojas d. David Horn, 15-12, 15-4
Final
Jake Bredenbeck v. Marco Rojas
Women's US Team Qualifying
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-5, 15-5
Cheryl Gudinas d. Kimberly Thomas, 15-8, 15-9
Final
Rhonda Rajsich v. Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Manilla was a surprise semi-finalists, as he upset 4th seed Jansen Allen, 15-14, 13-15, 11-8, in the quarters.
Marco Rojas will face Bredenbeck in the final in what will be a rematch of one of last year's semi-finals, which Bredenbeck won. He went on to take the title last year, defeating David Horn in the final.
This year, Rojas took out Horn in the semis, 15-12, 15-4, to earn his rematch with Bredenbeck.
Either Bredenbeck or Rojas has won this title each of the last three years. Bredenbeck won it in 2014. Rojas won in 2013 and 2012.
In the Women's US Team Qualifying Division, Rajsich will face 2nd seed Cheryl Gudinas in the final. In the semi-finals, Rajsich defeated T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-15, 15-5, and Gudinas beat Kimberly Thomas, 15-8, 15-9.
A win for Rajsich will be her 8th USA Racquetball championship in Women's Singles, which would tie her with Gudinas and Michelle Gould for the most ever. Also, it would be Rajsich's fifth consecutive win, which would tie her with Gudinas and Gould for most consecutive titles.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 20-24, 2015, Denver, Colorado
Men's US Team Qualifying
Quarterfinals
Jake Bredenbeck d. Jeff Stark, 15-12, 15-8
Adam Manilla d. Jansen Allen, 15-14, 13-15, 11-8
Marco Rojas d. Jose Diaz, 13-15, 15-13, 11-6
David Horn d. Anthony Herrera, 15-3, 3-15, 11-3
Semi-finals
Jake Bredenbeck d. Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-13
Marco Rojas d. David Horn, 15-12, 15-4
Final
Jake Bredenbeck v. Marco Rojas
Women's US Team Qualifying
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-5, 15-5
Cheryl Gudinas d. Kimberly Thomas, 15-8, 15-9
Final
Rhonda Rajsich v. Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball….
USA Racquetball National Singles Championships - First Rounds
There's only been one small upset so far in the US Team Qualifying divisions at the USA Racquetball (USAR) Nationals in Denver, Colorado. That came in the 8/9 match, as 9th seed Jeff Stark defeated 8th seed Brad Schopieray, 15-11, 15-8. Stark will play top seed Jake Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals, as Bredenbeck defeated Joel Barshaw, 15-0, 15-9, in the Round of 16.
The winner of Bredenbeck-Stark will play the winner of Jansen Allen and Adam Manilla. Allan defeated Nicholas Riffel, 15-5, 15-7, and Manilla beat Brent Walters, 15-3, 15-7, in the 16s.
There are two doubles partner showdowns on the bottom half of the men's draw, as Marco Rojas is playing Jose Diaz and David Horn is up against Anthony Herrera.
The Women's US Team Qualifying Division has had no upsets so far. Top seed Rhonda Rajsich defeated Jennifer Dering, 15-1, 15-1, and will play T. J. Baumbaugh in the semi-finals, as Baumbaugh beat Mary Kirchoff, 7-15, 15-13, 11-1.
In the other semi-final, it will be Kimberly Thomas versus Cheryl Gudinas, as Thomas defeated Briana Jacquet, 15-6, 15-2, in one quarter and Gudinas beat Hannah Shnurman, 15-3, 15-5, in the other quarter.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 20-24, 2015, Denver, Colorado
Men's US Team Qualifying
First Round
Joel Barshaw d. Jeremy McGlothin, 15-7, 15-6
Jordan Walters d. Jeremy Best, 15-12, 14-15, 11-6
Robert Hemphill d. Tyler Thielen, 15-7, 15-8
Round of 16
Jake Bredenbeck d. Joel Barshaw, 15-0, 15-9
Jeff Stark d. Brad Schopieray, 15-11, 15-8
Adam Manilla d. Brent Walters, 15-3, 15-7
Jansen Allen d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-5, 15-7
Marco Rojas d. Jordan Walters, 15-6, 15-7
Jose Diaz d. Thomas Carter, 15-6, 15-4
Anthony Herrera d. Bradly Rogers, 15-5, 15-6
David Horn d. Robert Hemphill, 15-5, 15-7
Quarterfinals
Jake Bredenbeck v. Jeff Stark
Jansen Allen v. Adam Manilla
Marco Rojas v. Jose Diaz
David Horn v. Anthony Herrera
Women's US Team Qualifying
Quarterfinals
Rhonda Rajsich d. Jennifer Dering, 15-1, 15-1
T. J. Baumbaugh d. Mary Kirchoff, 7-15, 15-13, 11-1
Kimberly Thomas d. Briana Jacquet, 15-6, 15-2
Cheryl Gudinas d. Hannah Shnurman, 15-3, 15-5
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich v. T. J. Baumbaugh
Cheryl Gudinas v. Kimberly Thomas
Follow the bouncing ball….
The winner of Bredenbeck-Stark will play the winner of Jansen Allen and Adam Manilla. Allan defeated Nicholas Riffel, 15-5, 15-7, and Manilla beat Brent Walters, 15-3, 15-7, in the 16s.
There are two doubles partner showdowns on the bottom half of the men's draw, as Marco Rojas is playing Jose Diaz and David Horn is up against Anthony Herrera.
The Women's US Team Qualifying Division has had no upsets so far. Top seed Rhonda Rajsich defeated Jennifer Dering, 15-1, 15-1, and will play T. J. Baumbaugh in the semi-finals, as Baumbaugh beat Mary Kirchoff, 7-15, 15-13, 11-1.
In the other semi-final, it will be Kimberly Thomas versus Cheryl Gudinas, as Thomas defeated Briana Jacquet, 15-6, 15-2, in one quarter and Gudinas beat Hannah Shnurman, 15-3, 15-5, in the other quarter.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 20-24, 2015, Denver, Colorado
Men's US Team Qualifying
First Round
Joel Barshaw d. Jeremy McGlothin, 15-7, 15-6
Jordan Walters d. Jeremy Best, 15-12, 14-15, 11-6
Robert Hemphill d. Tyler Thielen, 15-7, 15-8
Round of 16
Jake Bredenbeck d. Joel Barshaw, 15-0, 15-9
Jeff Stark d. Brad Schopieray, 15-11, 15-8
Adam Manilla d. Brent Walters, 15-3, 15-7
Jansen Allen d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-5, 15-7
Marco Rojas d. Jordan Walters, 15-6, 15-7
Jose Diaz d. Thomas Carter, 15-6, 15-4
Anthony Herrera d. Bradly Rogers, 15-5, 15-6
David Horn d. Robert Hemphill, 15-5, 15-7
Quarterfinals
Jake Bredenbeck v. Jeff Stark
Jansen Allen v. Adam Manilla
Marco Rojas v. Jose Diaz
David Horn v. Anthony Herrera
Women's US Team Qualifying
Quarterfinals
Rhonda Rajsich d. Jennifer Dering, 15-1, 15-1
T. J. Baumbaugh d. Mary Kirchoff, 7-15, 15-13, 11-1
Kimberly Thomas d. Briana Jacquet, 15-6, 15-2
Cheryl Gudinas d. Hannah Shnurman, 15-3, 15-5
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich v. T. J. Baumbaugh
Cheryl Gudinas v. Kimberly Thomas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Seven of eight top seeds through to the semis at Canadian Racquetball Championships
Valerie Fallu had the only upset win in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Burnaby, B.C., as she beat 3rd seed Christine Richardson, 15-9, 15-6, in the Women's Singles quarters Thursday. Fallu will play Jennifer Saunders in the semi-finals on Friday after Saunders defeated Brigitte Richard, 15-7, 15-1.
On the top half of the women's draw, Frédérique Lambert defeated Alexis Iwaasa, 15-3, 15-6, and Michèle Morissette beat Linda Ellerington, 15-9, 15-9, to set up an all Québec battle in the other semi-final.
The top four men's seeds are through to the semis, although 2nd seed Samuel Murray only squeaked by Nathaniel Husulak, 5-15, 15-9, 12-10. Murray will play Vincent Gagnon in the semis, after Gagnon beat James Landeryou, 17-15, 15-5.
The top half of the men's draw features a semi that some probably think should be the final, as Canadian #1 Mike Green will face off with 4th seed Coby Iwaasa. In their respective quarters, Green beat Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-10, and Iwaasa defeated Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-0.
Green is trying to win his 10th Canadian Men's Singles Championship, which would tie him with Sherman Greenfeld. Iwaasa has had impressive results on the men's pro tours this season, including a tournament win on the World Racquetball Tour and a victory over Jose Rojas on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) last weekend.
The singles semi-finals go Friday with the finals on Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Mike Green d. Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-10
Coby Iwaasa d. Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-0
Vincent Gagnon d. James Landeryou, 17-15, 15-5
Samuel Murray d. Nathaniel Husulak, 5-15, 15-9, 12-10
Semi-finals - Friday
Mike Green v. Coby Iwaasa
Samuel Murray v. Vincent Gagnon
Women's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Frédérique Lambert d. Alexis Iwaasa, 15-3, 15-6
Michele Morissette d. Linda Ellerington, 15-9, 15-9
Valerie Fallu d. Christine Richardson, 15-9, 15-6
Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard, 15-7, 15-1
Semi-finals - Friday
Frédérique Lambert v. Michele Morissette
Jennifer Saunders v. Valerie Fallu
Follow the bouncing ball…
On the top half of the women's draw, Frédérique Lambert defeated Alexis Iwaasa, 15-3, 15-6, and Michèle Morissette beat Linda Ellerington, 15-9, 15-9, to set up an all Québec battle in the other semi-final.
The top four men's seeds are through to the semis, although 2nd seed Samuel Murray only squeaked by Nathaniel Husulak, 5-15, 15-9, 12-10. Murray will play Vincent Gagnon in the semis, after Gagnon beat James Landeryou, 17-15, 15-5.
The top half of the men's draw features a semi that some probably think should be the final, as Canadian #1 Mike Green will face off with 4th seed Coby Iwaasa. In their respective quarters, Green beat Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-10, and Iwaasa defeated Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-0.
Green is trying to win his 10th Canadian Men's Singles Championship, which would tie him with Sherman Greenfeld. Iwaasa has had impressive results on the men's pro tours this season, including a tournament win on the World Racquetball Tour and a victory over Jose Rojas on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) last weekend.
The singles semi-finals go Friday with the finals on Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Mike Green d. Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-10
Coby Iwaasa d. Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-0
Vincent Gagnon d. James Landeryou, 17-15, 15-5
Samuel Murray d. Nathaniel Husulak, 5-15, 15-9, 12-10
Semi-finals - Friday
Mike Green v. Coby Iwaasa
Samuel Murray v. Vincent Gagnon
Women's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Frédérique Lambert d. Alexis Iwaasa, 15-3, 15-6
Michele Morissette d. Linda Ellerington, 15-9, 15-9
Valerie Fallu d. Christine Richardson, 15-9, 15-6
Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard, 15-7, 15-1
Semi-finals - Friday
Frédérique Lambert v. Michele Morissette
Jennifer Saunders v. Valerie Fallu
Follow the bouncing ball…
Thursday, May 21, 2015
First day of singles at Canadian Racquetball Championships
James Landeryou had the biggest upset on the first day of singles at the 2015 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Burnaby, B.C., as he defeated 6th seed Pedro Castro, 16-14, 16-14, in the Round of 16. James's brother, Tim, on the other hand, almost got upset by Tanner Mattson, but Tim, the 5th seed, managed to pull it out in a tie-breaker, 15-13, 11-15, 11-4.
Tim Landeryou will next face 4th seed Coby Iwaasa, who defeated Tommy Murray, 15-3, 15-1. James Landeryou, on the other hand, will face 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon, as he defeated Michael Leduc, 15-7, 15-10, in the 16s Wednesday.
On the women's side, Alexis Iwaasa beat Danielle Drury, 15-7, 4-15, 11-4, and Brigitte Richard defeated McKenzie Brayley, 15-2, 15-2
The singles semi-finals go Friday with the finals on Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles
Round of 16 - Wednesday
Mike Green d. Mitch Brayley, 15-4, 15-5
Lee Connell d. Nicolas Bousquet, 10-15, 15-8, 11-7
Tim Landeryou d. Tanner Mattson, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4
Coby Iwaasa d. Tommy Murray, 15-3, 15-1
Vincent Gagnon d. Michael Leduc, 15-7, 15-10
James Landeryou d. Pedro Castro, 16-14, 16-14
Nathaniel Husulak d. Chris Exner, 15-5, 15-3
Samuel Murray d. Trevor Webb, 15-1, 15-6
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Mike Green v. Lee Connell
Coby Iwaasa v. Tim Landeryou
Vincent Gagnon v. James Landeryou
Samuel Murray v. Nathaniel Husulak
Round of 32 - Wednesday
Mike Green - BYE
Mitch Brayley d. Troy Brooks, 15-9, 15-10
Nicolas Bousquet d. Jeff Buller, 15-3, 15-2
Lee Connell d. David Serra, 13-15, 15-6, 11-3
Tim Landeryou - BYE
Tanner Mattson d. Dylan Scattolon, 15-9, 15-10
Tommy Murray d. Anthony Schonberger, 15-8, 15-4
Coby Iwaasa - BYE
Vincent Gagon - BYE
Michael Leduc d. Matthew Swaine, 13-15, 15-13, 11-7
James Landeryou d. Eric Urtega, 15-1, 15-6
Pedro Castro - BYE
Nathaniel Husulak d. Kyle Wiseman, 15-3, 15-1
Chris Exner d. Travis Einarson, 15-6, 10-15, 11-2
Trevor Webb d. Chandon Yu, 15-7, 11-15, 11-5
Samuel Murray - BYE
Women's Open Singles
First Round - Wednesday
Alexis Iwaasa d. Danielle Drury, 15-7, 4-15, 11-4
Brigitte Richard d. McKenzie Brayley, 15-2, 15-2
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Frédérique Lambert v. Alexis Iwaasa
Michele Morissette v. Linda Ellerington
Christine Richardson v. Valerie Fallu
Jennifer Saunders v. Brigitte Richard
Follow the bouncing ball…
Tim Landeryou will next face 4th seed Coby Iwaasa, who defeated Tommy Murray, 15-3, 15-1. James Landeryou, on the other hand, will face 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon, as he defeated Michael Leduc, 15-7, 15-10, in the 16s Wednesday.
On the women's side, Alexis Iwaasa beat Danielle Drury, 15-7, 4-15, 11-4, and Brigitte Richard defeated McKenzie Brayley, 15-2, 15-2
The singles semi-finals go Friday with the finals on Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Rev's, Burnaby, British Colombia
Men's Open Singles
Round of 16 - Wednesday
Mike Green d. Mitch Brayley, 15-4, 15-5
Lee Connell d. Nicolas Bousquet, 10-15, 15-8, 11-7
Tim Landeryou d. Tanner Mattson, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4
Coby Iwaasa d. Tommy Murray, 15-3, 15-1
Vincent Gagnon d. Michael Leduc, 15-7, 15-10
James Landeryou d. Pedro Castro, 16-14, 16-14
Nathaniel Husulak d. Chris Exner, 15-5, 15-3
Samuel Murray d. Trevor Webb, 15-1, 15-6
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Mike Green v. Lee Connell
Coby Iwaasa v. Tim Landeryou
Vincent Gagnon v. James Landeryou
Samuel Murray v. Nathaniel Husulak
Round of 32 - Wednesday
Mike Green - BYE
Mitch Brayley d. Troy Brooks, 15-9, 15-10
Nicolas Bousquet d. Jeff Buller, 15-3, 15-2
Lee Connell d. David Serra, 13-15, 15-6, 11-3
Tim Landeryou - BYE
Tanner Mattson d. Dylan Scattolon, 15-9, 15-10
Tommy Murray d. Anthony Schonberger, 15-8, 15-4
Coby Iwaasa - BYE
Vincent Gagon - BYE
Michael Leduc d. Matthew Swaine, 13-15, 15-13, 11-7
James Landeryou d. Eric Urtega, 15-1, 15-6
Pedro Castro - BYE
Nathaniel Husulak d. Kyle Wiseman, 15-3, 15-1
Chris Exner d. Travis Einarson, 15-6, 10-15, 11-2
Trevor Webb d. Chandon Yu, 15-7, 11-15, 11-5
Samuel Murray - BYE
Women's Open Singles
First Round - Wednesday
Alexis Iwaasa d. Danielle Drury, 15-7, 4-15, 11-4
Brigitte Richard d. McKenzie Brayley, 15-2, 15-2
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Frédérique Lambert v. Alexis Iwaasa
Michele Morissette v. Linda Ellerington
Christine Richardson v. Valerie Fallu
Jennifer Saunders v. Brigitte Richard
Follow the bouncing ball…
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Drury & Saunders and Green & Iwaasa Champions of Canada
Jennifer Saunders and Danielle Drury are the 2015 Canadian Women's Doubles Champions, as they completed the five team round robin competition undefeated on Tuesday at the 2015 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Burnaby, B.C. In their last match, Saunders and Drury defeated Brigitte Richard and Christine Richardson, 16-14, 15-12.
Saunders won for the 11th time, but the previous 10 were with Josée Grand'Maître as her partner. Also, the win makes Saunders the winningest player in Canadian racquetball history, as it was her 19th title overall: 11 Women's Doubles titles, and 8 Women's Singles titles.
Drury - a member of Canada's Junior Racquetball Team - won for the first time.
Early in the match, it looked like Richard and Richardson would carry the day as they had a big lead in game one at 7-0, and served for the game a few times. However, Drury and Saunders held them off and slowly got back in the game, tying the score at 14-14, and then getting the last two points to win it 16-14.
In game two, they were close early, and then Drury and Saunders pulled ahead in the mid-game, with Richard and Richardson coming back to make it close, but they couldn't get level with their opponents, as Drury and Saunders won the game and match with the last point coming off a Saunders backhand cross court that cracked out off the right side wall.
Men's Doubles
Mike Green and Coby Iwaasa won the Men's Doubles title, defeating Nicolas Bousquet and Tommy Murray in the final, 15-3, 15-11. The win is the second for Green and Iwaasa together, as they also won in 2013. Overall, it's Green's 18th Canadian Championship: nine doubles titles and nine singles titles, which is the most for any man.
In game one, it seemed like the stage was too big for the surprise finalists Bousquet and Murray, as Green and Iwaasa went up 9-0. A side out led to two points for Bousquet and Murray, but then Green and Iwaasa scored another five to get to game point at 14-2. Bousquet and Murray held them off and scored one more, but that was all.
In game two, it seemed like it was going to be more of the same, as Green and Iwaasa again took an early lead at 6-1. However, Bousquet and Murray pulled it together, and got within two at 10-8 and then within one at 12-11.
Green and Iwaasa got to 14-11, but Bousquet prevented the first match point with a great backhand pinch that got them a side out. However, they failed to score themselves, so Green and Iwaasa went back in the service box at 14-11. Iwaasa served first, and drove it short. Then Green it a jam drive serve to the left side that came over to Murray on the right; he took it with his backhand, but skipped the return, ending the game, 15-11, and match 2-0.
In the 3rd place Men's Doubles match, it was a rematch of last year's final between Pedro Castro and Tim Landeryou one side and Vincent Gagnon and Samuel Murray on the other. However, the result was different, as Castro and Landeryou defeated the defending champions, 15-13, 15-12.
The doubles competition has concluded and the singles competition begins Wednesday. The Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will get them spots on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games this July in Toronto.
2015 Racquetball Canada National Championships
May 17-23, Burnaby, B.C.
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Mike Green & Coby Iwaasa d. Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray, 15-3, 15-11
3rd Place
Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou d. Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray, 15-13, 15-12
5th Place
Barret Husulak & James Landeryou d. Lee Connell & Nathaniel Husulak, 15-9, 15-7
7th Place
Chris Exner & Tanner Mattson d. Michael Leduc & Trevor Webb, 15-11, 19-17
Women's Open Doubles - Round Robin
Round 4
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson, 16-14, 15-12
Frederique Lambert & Michele Morissette d. Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu, 15-9, 15-11
Round 5
Frédérique Lambert & Michele Morissette d. Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson, 15-12, 15-2
Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-9, 15-3
Standings
1st Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders (4-0)
2nd Frédérique Lambert & Michele Morissette (3-1)
3rd Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson (2-2)
4th Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu (1-3)
5th Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley (0-4)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saunders won for the 11th time, but the previous 10 were with Josée Grand'Maître as her partner. Also, the win makes Saunders the winningest player in Canadian racquetball history, as it was her 19th title overall: 11 Women's Doubles titles, and 8 Women's Singles titles.
Drury - a member of Canada's Junior Racquetball Team - won for the first time.
Early in the match, it looked like Richard and Richardson would carry the day as they had a big lead in game one at 7-0, and served for the game a few times. However, Drury and Saunders held them off and slowly got back in the game, tying the score at 14-14, and then getting the last two points to win it 16-14.
In game two, they were close early, and then Drury and Saunders pulled ahead in the mid-game, with Richard and Richardson coming back to make it close, but they couldn't get level with their opponents, as Drury and Saunders won the game and match with the last point coming off a Saunders backhand cross court that cracked out off the right side wall.
Men's Doubles
Mike Green and Coby Iwaasa won the Men's Doubles title, defeating Nicolas Bousquet and Tommy Murray in the final, 15-3, 15-11. The win is the second for Green and Iwaasa together, as they also won in 2013. Overall, it's Green's 18th Canadian Championship: nine doubles titles and nine singles titles, which is the most for any man.
In game one, it seemed like the stage was too big for the surprise finalists Bousquet and Murray, as Green and Iwaasa went up 9-0. A side out led to two points for Bousquet and Murray, but then Green and Iwaasa scored another five to get to game point at 14-2. Bousquet and Murray held them off and scored one more, but that was all.
In game two, it seemed like it was going to be more of the same, as Green and Iwaasa again took an early lead at 6-1. However, Bousquet and Murray pulled it together, and got within two at 10-8 and then within one at 12-11.
Green and Iwaasa got to 14-11, but Bousquet prevented the first match point with a great backhand pinch that got them a side out. However, they failed to score themselves, so Green and Iwaasa went back in the service box at 14-11. Iwaasa served first, and drove it short. Then Green it a jam drive serve to the left side that came over to Murray on the right; he took it with his backhand, but skipped the return, ending the game, 15-11, and match 2-0.
In the 3rd place Men's Doubles match, it was a rematch of last year's final between Pedro Castro and Tim Landeryou one side and Vincent Gagnon and Samuel Murray on the other. However, the result was different, as Castro and Landeryou defeated the defending champions, 15-13, 15-12.
The doubles competition has concluded and the singles competition begins Wednesday. The Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will get them spots on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games this July in Toronto.
2015 Racquetball Canada National Championships
May 17-23, Burnaby, B.C.
Men's Open Doubles
Final
Mike Green & Coby Iwaasa d. Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray, 15-3, 15-11
3rd Place
Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou d. Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray, 15-13, 15-12
5th Place
Barret Husulak & James Landeryou d. Lee Connell & Nathaniel Husulak, 15-9, 15-7
7th Place
Chris Exner & Tanner Mattson d. Michael Leduc & Trevor Webb, 15-11, 19-17
Women's Open Doubles - Round Robin
Round 4
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson, 16-14, 15-12
Frederique Lambert & Michele Morissette d. Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu, 15-9, 15-11
Round 5
Frédérique Lambert & Michele Morissette d. Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson, 15-12, 15-2
Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-9, 15-3
Standings
1st Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders (4-0)
2nd Frédérique Lambert & Michele Morissette (3-1)
3rd Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson (2-2)
4th Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu (1-3)
5th Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley (0-4)
Follow the bouncing ball….
New Doubles Champions guaranteed at the Canadian Racquetball Championships
There will be new Canadian doubles champions crowned Tuesday at the 2015 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Burnaby, B.C. That was guaranteed on the women's side, as half of the defending Women's Doubles Champions are not in Burnaby, because Josée Grand'Maître is absent, so Jennifer Saunders is playing with Danielle Drury.
However on Monday on the men's side, the 2014 champions Vincent Gagnon and Samuel Murray lost to 2013 champions Mike Green and Coby Iwaasa, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4. They'll now play the 6th seeds Nicolas Bousquet and Tommy Murray, who knocked off last year's runners-up Pedro Castro and Tim Landeryou, 10-15, 15-13, 12-10.
On the women's side, Drury and Saunders are on track to win the title, as they defeated Frédérique Lambert and Michèle Morissette, 15-8, 2-15, 11-8. Drury and Saunders will play last year's runners-up Brigitte Richard and Christine Richardson. Both Drury and Saunders and Richard and Richardson are undefeated so far at the Nationals, as the championships are known. Thus, the winner of their head to head match up will likely be the new Women's Doubles Champions.
The Nationals began Sunday with the doubles competition, which ends Tuesday. Singles competitions begin on Wednesday. The Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will get them spots on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games this July in Toronto.
2015 Racquetball Canada National Championships
May 17-23, Burnaby, B.C.
Men's Open Doubles
Semi-finals
Mike Green & Coby Iwaasa d. Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4
Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray d. Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou, 10-15, 15-13, 12-10
Final
Mike Green & Coby Iwaasa v. Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray
Women's Open Doubles - Round Robin
Round 1
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders d. Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu, 15-1, 15-6
Frederique Lambert & Michele Morissette d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-4, 15-13
Round 2
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders & Frederique Lambert & Michele Morissette, 15-8, 2-15, 11-8
Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-1, 15-3
Round 3
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-9, 15-2
Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson d. Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu, 15-6, 15-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
However on Monday on the men's side, the 2014 champions Vincent Gagnon and Samuel Murray lost to 2013 champions Mike Green and Coby Iwaasa, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4. They'll now play the 6th seeds Nicolas Bousquet and Tommy Murray, who knocked off last year's runners-up Pedro Castro and Tim Landeryou, 10-15, 15-13, 12-10.
On the women's side, Drury and Saunders are on track to win the title, as they defeated Frédérique Lambert and Michèle Morissette, 15-8, 2-15, 11-8. Drury and Saunders will play last year's runners-up Brigitte Richard and Christine Richardson. Both Drury and Saunders and Richard and Richardson are undefeated so far at the Nationals, as the championships are known. Thus, the winner of their head to head match up will likely be the new Women's Doubles Champions.
The Nationals began Sunday with the doubles competition, which ends Tuesday. Singles competitions begin on Wednesday. The Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will get them spots on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the 2015 Pan American Games this July in Toronto.
2015 Racquetball Canada National Championships
May 17-23, Burnaby, B.C.
Men's Open Doubles
Semi-finals
Mike Green & Coby Iwaasa d. Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4
Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray d. Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou, 10-15, 15-13, 12-10
Final
Mike Green & Coby Iwaasa v. Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray
Women's Open Doubles - Round Robin
Round 1
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders d. Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu, 15-1, 15-6
Frederique Lambert & Michele Morissette d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-4, 15-13
Round 2
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders & Frederique Lambert & Michele Morissette, 15-8, 2-15, 11-8
Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-1, 15-3
Round 3
Danielle Drury & Jennifer Saunders d. Alexis Iwaasa & McKenzie Brayley, 15-9, 15-2
Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson d. Joanne Ditommaso & Valerie Fallu, 15-6, 15-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Longoria ends 2014-15 LPRT season on a high, winning twice at Pro Nationals
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), ended the 2014-15 LPRT season the way she began it: winning both singles and doubles. The season began with wins for Longoria in San Luis Potosi last August, and it's concluded with her winning in the LPRT Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia.
In Herndon, she defeated LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-1, to win the singles title, and with Samantha Salas she beat Michelle Key and Frédérique Lambert in doubles, 15-12, 15-11.
Last August in San Luis Potosi, Longoria and Salas also beat Key and Lambert in the final, and Longoria defeated the LPRT #3 player in the singles final, although then the #3 player was Maria Jose Vargas, who is now the #2 player.
The win was Longoria's 10th against two losses. That's two more losses than she had the previous three seasons, which she went through undefeated.
Rajsich ended Longoria's winning streak in October, and Lambert defeated her in March.
The LPRT will be on a hiatus until next season, but most of the top women will be representing their countries at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
If you missed any of the LPRT Pro Nationals matches or would like to see matches from previous events this season, go to the LPRT Livestream channel, where the matches are archived.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Final (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 3) Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-1
Doubles Final
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert, 15-12, 15-11
Follow the bouncing ball....
In Herndon, she defeated LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-1, to win the singles title, and with Samantha Salas she beat Michelle Key and Frédérique Lambert in doubles, 15-12, 15-11.
Last August in San Luis Potosi, Longoria and Salas also beat Key and Lambert in the final, and Longoria defeated the LPRT #3 player in the singles final, although then the #3 player was Maria Jose Vargas, who is now the #2 player.
The win was Longoria's 10th against two losses. That's two more losses than she had the previous three seasons, which she went through undefeated.
Rajsich ended Longoria's winning streak in October, and Lambert defeated her in March.
The LPRT will be on a hiatus until next season, but most of the top women will be representing their countries at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
If you missed any of the LPRT Pro Nationals matches or would like to see matches from previous events this season, go to the LPRT Livestream channel, where the matches are archived.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Final (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 3) Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-1
Doubles Final
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert, 15-12, 15-11
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Waselenchuk defeats De La Rosa to win IRT Tournament of Champions
Kane Waselenchuk defeated Daniel De La Rosa decisively, 11-4, 11-1, 11-2, to win the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon Saturday night.
Although the win was decisive, it looked like it would be close early in game one, as they were tied at 4-4. However, Waselenchuk scored 13 straight points to win game one, 11-4, and lead in game two, 6-0.
De La Rosa then got his only point of game two, and Waselenchuk went on another scoring streak, getting 12 in a row. De La Rosa got his first point of game three after Waselenchuk already had seven, and didn't get his second point until Waselenchuk had ten.
As we said, Waselechuk's victory was decisive.
So, Kane's going to be #1 right?
Was it enough to get Waselenchuk back in the #1 spot in the IRT rankings? Rocky Carson, who lost to De La Rosa in the semi-finals, is currently #1, 78 points ahead of Waselenchuk. However, we understand from Jason Mannino, IRT President, that the Tournament of Champions was only worth Tier 2 points,
Winning a Tier 2 event is worth 120 points, according to the IRT website, while finishing in the semi-finals is worth 60 points. Sixty is less than 78, so unofficially we have Carson as still the #1 player and Waselenchuk #2, despite the fact that Waselenchuk won his 9th tournament of the season in Portland and Carson has won three tournaments this season.
"These rankings suck!"
Understand that the rankings reflect a body of work: a record of a player's performances in a 12 month period. The ranking system rewards players who have played tournaments over those who have not. There are players who have not played many tournaments, but done better in those events than those players who have entered more tournaments, yet the better performing players are ranked lower than those who played more frequently.
If a player played a quarter or a third of the events but won those events, would it be fair to rank that player ahead of another who played all of the events finishing in the semis or better each time?
You can argue about whether the system should be changed, including whether there should be Tier 1 money events that are less than Tier 1 points. But recognize that questions of appropriate rankings is a situation arising in other sports also.
For example, arguably, Serena Williams has been the best women's tennis player for the past 15 or more years. However, she's not been the #1 player for all or perhaps even most of that period, because (a) she's sometimes been injured during that period (just as Waselenchuk was physically impaired in the fall) and (b) she didn't play as many events as some other players during that period. Thus, other players were able to gain the #1 women's tennis ranking over Williams. Does that mean they were better players than Williams? Not necessarily.
When he has played this season, Waselenchuk's results have been impeccable, as he hasn't lost. But the key is "when he has played," because Waselenchuk had an unfortunate recurrence of the inner ear issue he suffered early in his career, which led to him missing some events and defaulting out of another in the quarterfinals.
Thus, Carson - racquetball's Iron Man - has been able to gain the #1 ranking with a body of work that - according to the current IRT ranking system - is better than anyone else's.
However, there is one more Tier 1 event to go on the 2014-15 IRT schedule: the Fresno IRT Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California May 28-31. A win there, and Waselenchuk should be #1 at season's end.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Daniel De La Rosa, 11-4, 11-1, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
Although the win was decisive, it looked like it would be close early in game one, as they were tied at 4-4. However, Waselenchuk scored 13 straight points to win game one, 11-4, and lead in game two, 6-0.
De La Rosa then got his only point of game two, and Waselenchuk went on another scoring streak, getting 12 in a row. De La Rosa got his first point of game three after Waselenchuk already had seven, and didn't get his second point until Waselenchuk had ten.
As we said, Waselechuk's victory was decisive.
So, Kane's going to be #1 right?
Was it enough to get Waselenchuk back in the #1 spot in the IRT rankings? Rocky Carson, who lost to De La Rosa in the semi-finals, is currently #1, 78 points ahead of Waselenchuk. However, we understand from Jason Mannino, IRT President, that the Tournament of Champions was only worth Tier 2 points,
Winning a Tier 2 event is worth 120 points, according to the IRT website, while finishing in the semi-finals is worth 60 points. Sixty is less than 78, so unofficially we have Carson as still the #1 player and Waselenchuk #2, despite the fact that Waselenchuk won his 9th tournament of the season in Portland and Carson has won three tournaments this season.
"These rankings suck!"
Understand that the rankings reflect a body of work: a record of a player's performances in a 12 month period. The ranking system rewards players who have played tournaments over those who have not. There are players who have not played many tournaments, but done better in those events than those players who have entered more tournaments, yet the better performing players are ranked lower than those who played more frequently.
If a player played a quarter or a third of the events but won those events, would it be fair to rank that player ahead of another who played all of the events finishing in the semis or better each time?
You can argue about whether the system should be changed, including whether there should be Tier 1 money events that are less than Tier 1 points. But recognize that questions of appropriate rankings is a situation arising in other sports also.
For example, arguably, Serena Williams has been the best women's tennis player for the past 15 or more years. However, she's not been the #1 player for all or perhaps even most of that period, because (a) she's sometimes been injured during that period (just as Waselenchuk was physically impaired in the fall) and (b) she didn't play as many events as some other players during that period. Thus, other players were able to gain the #1 women's tennis ranking over Williams. Does that mean they were better players than Williams? Not necessarily.
When he has played this season, Waselenchuk's results have been impeccable, as he hasn't lost. But the key is "when he has played," because Waselenchuk had an unfortunate recurrence of the inner ear issue he suffered early in his career, which led to him missing some events and defaulting out of another in the quarterfinals.
Thus, Carson - racquetball's Iron Man - has been able to gain the #1 ranking with a body of work that - according to the current IRT ranking system - is better than anyone else's.
However, there is one more Tier 1 event to go on the 2014-15 IRT schedule: the Fresno IRT Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California May 28-31. A win there, and Waselenchuk should be #1 at season's end.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Daniel De La Rosa, 11-4, 11-1, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria & Rajsich to face off for LPRT Pro Nationals title
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), will have a chance to end the season on a high note, as she'll be in the final of the LPRT Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia Sunday after defeating LPRT #4 Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 11-2, 11-1, in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Longoria's opponent will be long time rival Rhonda Rajsich, the LPRT #3 player, who upset the #2 ranked Maria Jose Vargas in the other semi-final, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2. Rajsich likely benefited from the fact that Vargas had to play a five game quarterfinal match earlier in the day against Michelle Key that ended in a 13-11 tie-breaker. Rajsich won her quarterfinal in three straight games against Cristina Amaya.
Sunday will be the third meeting between Longoria and Rajsich this season. They have split the first two, and Rajsich's victory in their first meeting in the final of the Stockton event back in October ended Longoria's three and a half year winning streak.
In doubles, Key and Lambert defeated Rajsich and Susana Acosta, 15-4, 9-15, 11-9, to advance to the final. They'll play the Longoria and Samantha Salas in the final, as Longoria and Salas beat versus Amaya and Sofia Rascon in the other semi, 15-3, 15-10.
The LPRT Pro Nationals final - and final match of the 2014-15 LPRT season - will be Sunday at 11 AM EDT, and live on the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Semi-finals (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 4) Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 11-2, 11-1
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2
Final (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich
Doubles Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon, 15-3, 15-10
3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-4, 9-15, 11-9
Doubles Final
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria's opponent will be long time rival Rhonda Rajsich, the LPRT #3 player, who upset the #2 ranked Maria Jose Vargas in the other semi-final, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2. Rajsich likely benefited from the fact that Vargas had to play a five game quarterfinal match earlier in the day against Michelle Key that ended in a 13-11 tie-breaker. Rajsich won her quarterfinal in three straight games against Cristina Amaya.
Sunday will be the third meeting between Longoria and Rajsich this season. They have split the first two, and Rajsich's victory in their first meeting in the final of the Stockton event back in October ended Longoria's three and a half year winning streak.
In doubles, Key and Lambert defeated Rajsich and Susana Acosta, 15-4, 9-15, 11-9, to advance to the final. They'll play the Longoria and Samantha Salas in the final, as Longoria and Salas beat versus Amaya and Sofia Rascon in the other semi, 15-3, 15-10.
The LPRT Pro Nationals final - and final match of the 2014-15 LPRT season - will be Sunday at 11 AM EDT, and live on the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Semi-finals (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 4) Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 11-2, 11-1
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2
Final (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich
Doubles Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon, 15-3, 15-10
3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-4, 9-15, 11-9
Doubles Final
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk & De La Rosa to meet in IRT Tournament of Champions final
Kane Waselenchuk took another step towards the #1 season ending ranking at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon Saturday morning, and he was helped by Daniel De La Rosa. In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk, currently #2 on the IRT's rankings, defeated Alvaro Beltran, 11-4, 11-2, 11-3, and De La Rosa, #3, beat #1 Rocky Carson, 11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 11-3.
Thus, they will meeting in the final Saturday night. De La Rosa will be seeking his second win of the season, and second of his young career, while Waselenchuk will be going for his 9th win of the season.
The IRT Network will broadcast the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Semi-finals
Daniel De La Rosa d. Rocky Carson, 11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 11-3
Kane Waselenchuk d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-4, 11-2, 11-3
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thus, they will meeting in the final Saturday night. De La Rosa will be seeking his second win of the season, and second of his young career, while Waselenchuk will be going for his 9th win of the season.
The IRT Network will broadcast the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Semi-finals
Daniel De La Rosa d. Rocky Carson, 11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 11-3
Kane Waselenchuk d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-4, 11-2, 11-3
Final
Kane Waselenchuk v. Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball....
2015 LPRT Pro Nationals - Quarterfinals
Maria Jose Vargas narrowly defeated Michelle Key in the quarterfinals of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia, as their match went the distance and then some. After splitting four lopsided games, Vargas won the tie-breaker in extra points, making the final score 2-11, 11-2, 0-11, 11-4, 13-11.
The match comes a day after Key defeated Cheryl Gudinas, and likely sewed up a spot on Team USA for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. If anyone doubts she could be a medal threat in Toronto, she can point to this performance as evidence she can.
Vargas, the LPRT #2 player, will play LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters later Saturday, as Rajsich defeated #6 Cristina Amaya in three games, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.
On the top of the draw, LPRT #1 will play #4 Frédérique Lambert in the semi-finals after they both won their respective quarterfinals in three straight games. Longoria defeated 9th seed Da'monique Davis, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4, while Lambert had closer games with 5th seed Samantha Salas, winning 11-5, 13-11, 11-9.
The semi-finals are at 5 PM and 6 PM EDT. Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Quarterfinals (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Da'monique Davis, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4
4) Frédérique Lambert d. 5) Samantha Salas, 11-5, 13-11, 11-9
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 6) Cristina Amaya, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Michelle Key, 2-11, 11-2, 0-11, 11-4, 13-11
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria v. 4) Frédérique Lambert
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich
Doubles Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon
2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball....
The match comes a day after Key defeated Cheryl Gudinas, and likely sewed up a spot on Team USA for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. If anyone doubts she could be a medal threat in Toronto, she can point to this performance as evidence she can.
Vargas, the LPRT #2 player, will play LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters later Saturday, as Rajsich defeated #6 Cristina Amaya in three games, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.
On the top of the draw, LPRT #1 will play #4 Frédérique Lambert in the semi-finals after they both won their respective quarterfinals in three straight games. Longoria defeated 9th seed Da'monique Davis, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4, while Lambert had closer games with 5th seed Samantha Salas, winning 11-5, 13-11, 11-9.
The semi-finals are at 5 PM and 6 PM EDT. Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Quarterfinals (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Da'monique Davis, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4
4) Frédérique Lambert d. 5) Samantha Salas, 11-5, 13-11, 11-9
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 6) Cristina Amaya, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Michelle Key, 2-11, 11-2, 0-11, 11-4, 13-11
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria v. 4) Frédérique Lambert
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich
Doubles Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon
2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball....
Top 4 seeds through to semi-finals at IRT Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
The top four seeds made it through to the semi-finals of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon Friday. Most of them won three straight games, although not those games were easy.
For example, Rocky Carson, the IRT's #1 player, went extra points with Tony Carson (no relation) in game two of their match. And he trailed Tony 7-1 in game three before Rocky came back and won it with a final scoreline of 11-6, 14-12, 11-8.
Also, 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa beat 12th seed Coby Iwaasa, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6. They were close early in game one, but Iwaasa caught fire and didn't look back as he won it 11-6. It was a great display of talent by the young Canadian, but it only won him one game.
In game two, De La Rosa changed tactics and lob served through the game - a few other serves were put in for variety, but in general he hit straight lobs to the left side - Iwaasa's backhand.
The helped De La Rosa win 14 straight points to go from 5-4 in game two to 8-0 in game three. Iwaasa got a few points before De La Rosa closed out game three to go up 2-1.
Game four was close, as they went back and forth until being tied at 6-6. Then De La Rosa, who was the veteran in the match despite being only 21, scored five unanswered points to take the game and match.
The IRT Network will broadcast the semi-finals Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals
Rocky Carson d. Tony Carson, 11-6, 14-12, 11-8
Daniel De La Rosa d. Coby Iwaasa, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6
Alvaro Beltran d. Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3
Kane Waselenchuk d. Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson v. Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM PDT
Kane Waselenchuk v. Alvaro Beltran - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
For example, Rocky Carson, the IRT's #1 player, went extra points with Tony Carson (no relation) in game two of their match. And he trailed Tony 7-1 in game three before Rocky came back and won it with a final scoreline of 11-6, 14-12, 11-8.
Also, 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa beat 12th seed Coby Iwaasa, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6. They were close early in game one, but Iwaasa caught fire and didn't look back as he won it 11-6. It was a great display of talent by the young Canadian, but it only won him one game.
In game two, De La Rosa changed tactics and lob served through the game - a few other serves were put in for variety, but in general he hit straight lobs to the left side - Iwaasa's backhand.
The helped De La Rosa win 14 straight points to go from 5-4 in game two to 8-0 in game three. Iwaasa got a few points before De La Rosa closed out game three to go up 2-1.
Game four was close, as they went back and forth until being tied at 6-6. Then De La Rosa, who was the veteran in the match despite being only 21, scored five unanswered points to take the game and match.
The IRT Network will broadcast the semi-finals Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals
Rocky Carson d. Tony Carson, 11-6, 14-12, 11-8
Daniel De La Rosa d. Coby Iwaasa, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6
Alvaro Beltran d. Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3
Kane Waselenchuk d. Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson v. Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM PDT
Kane Waselenchuk v. Alvaro Beltran - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, May 15, 2015
LPRT Pro Nationals - Round of 16
Some close matches in the early action at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia, but only one small upset so far. That came in the 8/9 match, as 9th seed Da'monique Davis defeated 8th seed Sofia Rascon, 11-8, 11-2, 0-11, 11-5, to advance to the quarterfinals, where she'll play the winner of LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and 16th seed Amie Brewer.
Both LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich and #6 Cristina Amaya needed five games to escape the Round of 16 Friday. Rajsich was down two games to one against Masiel Rivera, but came back to win 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-1, 11-1. Amaya dropped the first game against Susana Acosta, who always seems to play long matches, but then won the next two. Acosta narrowly won the fourth, but not the fifth, as Amaya won it by a final score of 0-11, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6.
Finally, 7th seed Michelle Key defeated 10th seed Cheryl Gudinas, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10, and that will likely be enough for Key to claim the second US Team spot awarded to the 2nd highest finisher on the LPRT season rankings; Rajsich will take the 1st spot.
That means Key will likely represent the USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July, and Gudinas will miss the Pan Am Games for the first time since 1995, when racquetball was first included on the Pan Am Games program.
The quarterfinals will be at 11 AM and noon Saturday with the semi-finals at 5 PM and 6 PM EDT. Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
First Round (seedings)
16) Amie Brewer d. 17) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 11-5, 11-13, 11-1, 2-11, 13-11
Round of 16 (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Amie Brewer, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3
9) Da'monique Davis d. 8) Sofia Rascon, 11-8, 11-2, 0-11, 11-5
5) Samantha Salas d. 12) Adrienne Haynes, 11-1, 11-0, 11-6
4) Frédérique Lambert d. 13) T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 14) Masiel Rivera, 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-1, 11-1
6) Cristina Amaya d. 11) Susana Acosta, 0-11, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6
7) Michelle Key d. 10) Cheryl Gudinas, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 16) Gabriela Martinez, 12-10, 11-2, 11-0
Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Da'monique Davis - Noon EDT
4) Frédérique Lambert v. 5) Samantha Salas - Noon EDT
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Cristina Amaya - 11 AM EDT
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 7) Michelle Key - 11 AM EDT
Doubles Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon d. 5) Da'monique Davis & Adrienne Haynes, 15-9, 15-10
3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 6) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez & Gabriela Martinez, 15-0, 15-12
2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Doubles Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon
2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball....
Both LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich and #6 Cristina Amaya needed five games to escape the Round of 16 Friday. Rajsich was down two games to one against Masiel Rivera, but came back to win 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-1, 11-1. Amaya dropped the first game against Susana Acosta, who always seems to play long matches, but then won the next two. Acosta narrowly won the fourth, but not the fifth, as Amaya won it by a final score of 0-11, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6.
Finally, 7th seed Michelle Key defeated 10th seed Cheryl Gudinas, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10, and that will likely be enough for Key to claim the second US Team spot awarded to the 2nd highest finisher on the LPRT season rankings; Rajsich will take the 1st spot.
That means Key will likely represent the USA at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto in July, and Gudinas will miss the Pan Am Games for the first time since 1995, when racquetball was first included on the Pan Am Games program.
The quarterfinals will be at 11 AM and noon Saturday with the semi-finals at 5 PM and 6 PM EDT. Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
First Round (seedings)
16) Amie Brewer d. 17) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 11-5, 11-13, 11-1, 2-11, 13-11
Round of 16 (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Amie Brewer, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3
9) Da'monique Davis d. 8) Sofia Rascon, 11-8, 11-2, 0-11, 11-5
5) Samantha Salas d. 12) Adrienne Haynes, 11-1, 11-0, 11-6
4) Frédérique Lambert d. 13) T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 14) Masiel Rivera, 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-1, 11-1
6) Cristina Amaya d. 11) Susana Acosta, 0-11, 11-2, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6
7) Michelle Key d. 10) Cheryl Gudinas, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 16) Gabriela Martinez, 12-10, 11-2, 11-0
Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Da'monique Davis - Noon EDT
4) Frédérique Lambert v. 5) Samantha Salas - Noon EDT
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Cristina Amaya - 11 AM EDT
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 7) Michelle Key - 11 AM EDT
Doubles Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon d. 5) Da'monique Davis & Adrienne Haynes, 15-9, 15-10
3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 6) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez & Gabriela Martinez, 15-0, 15-12
2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Doubles Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon
2) Susana Acosta & Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball....
Iwaasa defeated Rojas to advance to quarterfinals at Pro Kennex IRT Tournament of Champions
Two upsets in the Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, and one big one, as Coby Iwaasa defeated 5th seed Jose Rojas in three straight games, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10, to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in his career. Iwaasa will face Daniel De La Rosa in the quarters, a player that he's taken to five games twice.
De La Rosa defeated Felipe Camacho in the 16s, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10, to advance to the quarters.
The other upset was not as dramatic, as Tony Carson, seeded 9th, defeated 8th seed Charlie Pratt, 10-12, 12-10, 11-0, 11-5. The win sets up a Carson-Carson quarterfinal, as Rocky Carson, the IRT's #1 player beat Adam Manilla, 11-2, 11-3, 12-10, in the 16s. Rocky and Tony are not related, and in the "non-family" rivalry, Rocky holds the upper hand with 11 wins to none for Tony.
The IRT Network will broadcast the quarterfinals starting at 5 PM PDT Friday. Note that the semi-finals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Round of 16
Rocky Carson d. Adam Manilla, 11-2, 11-3 12-10
Tony Carson d. Charlie Pratt, 10-12, 12-10, 11-0, 11-5
Coby Iwaasa d. Jose Rojas, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10
Daniel De La Rosa d. Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10
Alvaro Beltran d. Andree Parrilla, 11-4, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7
Jansen Allen d. Tim Landeryou, 11-0, 11-1, 11-1
Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-2, 11-6, 11-3
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jordy Alonso, 11-1, 11-3, 11-0
Quarterfinals
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson - 6 PM PDT
Daniel De La Rosa v. Coby Iwaasa - 8 PM PDT
Alvaro Beltran v. Jansen Allen - 7 PM PDT
Kane Waselenchuk v. Marco Rojas - 5 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
De La Rosa defeated Felipe Camacho in the 16s, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10, to advance to the quarters.
The other upset was not as dramatic, as Tony Carson, seeded 9th, defeated 8th seed Charlie Pratt, 10-12, 12-10, 11-0, 11-5. The win sets up a Carson-Carson quarterfinal, as Rocky Carson, the IRT's #1 player beat Adam Manilla, 11-2, 11-3, 12-10, in the 16s. Rocky and Tony are not related, and in the "non-family" rivalry, Rocky holds the upper hand with 11 wins to none for Tony.
The IRT Network will broadcast the quarterfinals starting at 5 PM PDT Friday. Note that the semi-finals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Round of 16
Rocky Carson d. Adam Manilla, 11-2, 11-3 12-10
Tony Carson d. Charlie Pratt, 10-12, 12-10, 11-0, 11-5
Coby Iwaasa d. Jose Rojas, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10
Daniel De La Rosa d. Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10
Alvaro Beltran d. Andree Parrilla, 11-4, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7
Jansen Allen d. Tim Landeryou, 11-0, 11-1, 11-1
Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-2, 11-6, 11-3
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jordy Alonso, 11-1, 11-3, 11-0
Quarterfinals
Rocky Carson v. Tony Carson - 6 PM PDT
Daniel De La Rosa v. Coby Iwaasa - 8 PM PDT
Alvaro Beltran v. Jansen Allen - 7 PM PDT
Kane Waselenchuk v. Marco Rojas - 5 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, May 14, 2015
2015 IRT Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions - Round of 64
No real surprises - always difficult to say if something is a surprise in qualifying - but there was one five game match in the first round of qualifying at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, as Brian Pineda came back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to defeat young Connor Laffey, 5-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-5, 11-7. Pineda will play left-hander Robert Collins for the spot in Friday's Round of 16 against Marco Rojas.
The second round was similarly straight forward, and none of the matches went to five games.
The IRT Network will broadcast the event throughout the weekend. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM PDT Friday. Note that the semi-finals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
Andres Acuña d. Nick Baida, 11-8, 7-2, injury forfeit
Joel Barshaw d. Teobaldo Fumero, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3
Joshua Hungerford d. Joel Adler, 11-6, 11-1, 9-11, 11-3
Coby Arff d. Kamyron Meeks, 11-4, 11-0, 11-3
Sunji Spencer d. Jeremy McGlothin, 11-5, 11-8, 11-3
Brian Pineda d. Connor Laffey, 5-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-5, 11-7
Round 2
Q8: Adam Manilla d. Wayne Antone IV, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8
Q1: Tony Carson d. Andres Acuña, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7
Q4: Coby Iwaasa d. Joel Barshaw, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
Q5: Felipe Camacho d. Joshua Hungerford, 11-2, 12-10, 11-3
Q6: Andree Parrilla d. Coby Arff, 12-10, 11-1, 10-12, 11-3
Q3: Tim Landeryou d. Sunji Spencer, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6
Q2: Robert Collins d. Brian Pineda, 11-6, 11-8, 3-11, 11-0
Q7: Jordy Alonso d. Scott McClellan, 11-2, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2
Main Draw - Round of 16
Rocky Carson v. Adam Manilla - Noon PDT
Charlie Pratt v. Tony Carson - Noon PDT
Jose Rojas v. Coby Iwaasa - 2 PM PDT
Daniel De La Rosa v. Felipe Camacho - 2 PM PDT
Alvaro Beltran v. Andree Parrilla - 1 PM PDT
Jansen Allen v. Tim Landeryou - 1 PM PDT
Marco Rojas v. Robert Collins - 11 AM PDT
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jordy Alonso - 11 AM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
The second round was similarly straight forward, and none of the matches went to five games.
The IRT Network will broadcast the event throughout the weekend. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM PDT Friday. Note that the semi-finals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
Andres Acuña d. Nick Baida, 11-8, 7-2, injury forfeit
Joel Barshaw d. Teobaldo Fumero, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3
Joshua Hungerford d. Joel Adler, 11-6, 11-1, 9-11, 11-3
Coby Arff d. Kamyron Meeks, 11-4, 11-0, 11-3
Sunji Spencer d. Jeremy McGlothin, 11-5, 11-8, 11-3
Brian Pineda d. Connor Laffey, 5-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-5, 11-7
Round 2
Q8: Adam Manilla d. Wayne Antone IV, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8
Q1: Tony Carson d. Andres Acuña, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7
Q4: Coby Iwaasa d. Joel Barshaw, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
Q5: Felipe Camacho d. Joshua Hungerford, 11-2, 12-10, 11-3
Q6: Andree Parrilla d. Coby Arff, 12-10, 11-1, 10-12, 11-3
Q3: Tim Landeryou d. Sunji Spencer, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6
Q2: Robert Collins d. Brian Pineda, 11-6, 11-8, 3-11, 11-0
Q7: Jordy Alonso d. Scott McClellan, 11-2, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2
Main Draw - Round of 16
Rocky Carson v. Adam Manilla - Noon PDT
Charlie Pratt v. Tony Carson - Noon PDT
Jose Rojas v. Coby Iwaasa - 2 PM PDT
Daniel De La Rosa v. Felipe Camacho - 2 PM PDT
Alvaro Beltran v. Andree Parrilla - 1 PM PDT
Jansen Allen v. Tim Landeryou - 1 PM PDT
Marco Rojas v. Robert Collins - 11 AM PDT
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jordy Alonso - 11 AM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
2015 Pro Kennex IRT Tournament of Champions - Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) has its penultimate event of the 2014-15 season this weekend with the 2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions. Rocky Carson is still the #1 IRT player but Kane Waselenchuk is on a mission to overtake Carson and claim the #1 position at season’s end for the 7th consecutive season and 10th time in his career.
The 2014-15 IRT season will end in Fresno, California, where the IRT Summer Kickoff will be held May 28-31.
There are some good young players in Portland this weekend, including Coby Iwaasa - the Canadian U18 Champion, Adam Manilla - the USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champion, and Andree Parrilla - runner up at last weekend’s World Racquetball Tour (WRT) event, as well as US Junior Team members Connor Laffey and Wayne Antone IV.
Also, Tony Carson make a return to the IRT. We expect him to make it through qualifying and into the Round of 16, where he would play Oregon favourite Charlie Pratt.
The IRT Network will broadcast the event throughout the weekend. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM PDT Friday. Note that the semi-finals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
Andres Acuña v. Nick Baida
Teobaldo Fumero v. Joel Barshaw
Joel Adler v. Joshua Hungerford
Coby Arff v. Kamyron Meeks
Jeremy McGlothin v. Sunji Spencer
Connor Laffey v. Brian Pineda
Round 2
Q8: Adam Manilla v. Wayne Antone IV
Q1: Tony Carson v. Andres Acuña or Nick Baida
Q4: Coby Iwaasa v. Teobaldo Fumero or Joel Barshaw
Q5: Felipe Camacho v. Joel Adler or Joshua Hungerford
Q6: Andree Parrilla v. Coby Arff or Kamyron Meeks
Q3: Tim Landeryou v. Jeremy McGlothin or Sunji Spencer
Q2: Robert Collins v. Connor Laffey or Brian Pineda
Q7: Scott McClellan v. Jordy ALonso
Main Draw - Round of 16
Rocky Carson v. Q8
Charlie Pratt v. Q1
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Jansen Allen v. Q3
Marco Rojas v. Q2
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
The 2014-15 IRT season will end in Fresno, California, where the IRT Summer Kickoff will be held May 28-31.
There are some good young players in Portland this weekend, including Coby Iwaasa - the Canadian U18 Champion, Adam Manilla - the USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champion, and Andree Parrilla - runner up at last weekend’s World Racquetball Tour (WRT) event, as well as US Junior Team members Connor Laffey and Wayne Antone IV.
Also, Tony Carson make a return to the IRT. We expect him to make it through qualifying and into the Round of 16, where he would play Oregon favourite Charlie Pratt.
The IRT Network will broadcast the event throughout the weekend. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM PDT Friday. Note that the semi-finals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2015 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
Andres Acuña v. Nick Baida
Teobaldo Fumero v. Joel Barshaw
Joel Adler v. Joshua Hungerford
Coby Arff v. Kamyron Meeks
Jeremy McGlothin v. Sunji Spencer
Connor Laffey v. Brian Pineda
Round 2
Q8: Adam Manilla v. Wayne Antone IV
Q1: Tony Carson v. Andres Acuña or Nick Baida
Q4: Coby Iwaasa v. Teobaldo Fumero or Joel Barshaw
Q5: Felipe Camacho v. Joel Adler or Joshua Hungerford
Q6: Andree Parrilla v. Coby Arff or Kamyron Meeks
Q3: Tim Landeryou v. Jeremy McGlothin or Sunji Spencer
Q2: Robert Collins v. Connor Laffey or Brian Pineda
Q7: Scott McClellan v. Jordy ALonso
Main Draw - Round of 16
Rocky Carson v. Q8
Charlie Pratt v. Q1
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Jansen Allen v. Q3
Marco Rojas v. Q2
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
2015 LPRT Pro Nationals Preview
The 2014-15 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season concludes this weekend with the LPRT Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia. Eleven of the top twelve players will be in action, although the overall draw is smaller than usual with only 18 players entered.
Nonetheless, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria will be trying conclude the season on win. This is the first season since 2010-11 that Longoria has not won all the events she’s entered, as she lost twice this year: once to LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich, which ended Longoria’s three and a half year winning streak, and once to Frédérique Lambert, LPRT #4. Longoria is a lock for her 6th LPRT #1 season ending title (and 4th consecutive title), but would certainly like to end the season on a high.
The other top ranking spots seem to be solid also. Maria Jose Vargas will end on a career high at #2, Rajsich #3 and Lambert will likely finish in 4th ahead of Samantha Salas, which would be a career high for her also. If Salas won Pro Nationals that could change, but anything short of that likely means Lambert will be 4th.
In the race for the US Team spots, Michelle Key, who 7th in the rankings, seems the odds on favourite to take the 2nd US Team spot; Rajsich will claim the 1st spot. That could mean Rajsich and Key will represent the USA at the Pan American Games in Toronto in July. If so, it will be the first Pan Am Games racquetball competition without Cheryl Gudinas, who was there the first time racquetball was included in the Games in 1995.
The action starts Friday morning. Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Round of 32 (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Gabriela Martinez v. 17) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez
9) Da'monique Davis - BYE
8) Sofia Rascon - BYE
5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
13) Kimberly Thomas - BYE
4) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
14) T. J. Baumbaugh - BYE
11) Susana Acosta - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya - BYE
7) Michelle Key - BYE
10) Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
15) Masiel Rivera v. 18) Amie Brewer
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Nonetheless, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria will be trying conclude the season on win. This is the first season since 2010-11 that Longoria has not won all the events she’s entered, as she lost twice this year: once to LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich, which ended Longoria’s three and a half year winning streak, and once to Frédérique Lambert, LPRT #4. Longoria is a lock for her 6th LPRT #1 season ending title (and 4th consecutive title), but would certainly like to end the season on a high.
The other top ranking spots seem to be solid also. Maria Jose Vargas will end on a career high at #2, Rajsich #3 and Lambert will likely finish in 4th ahead of Samantha Salas, which would be a career high for her also. If Salas won Pro Nationals that could change, but anything short of that likely means Lambert will be 4th.
In the race for the US Team spots, Michelle Key, who 7th in the rankings, seems the odds on favourite to take the 2nd US Team spot; Rajsich will claim the 1st spot. That could mean Rajsich and Key will represent the USA at the Pan American Games in Toronto in July. If so, it will be the first Pan Am Games racquetball competition without Cheryl Gudinas, who was there the first time racquetball was included in the Games in 1995.
The action starts Friday morning. Matches can be viewed via the LPRT Livestream channel.
LPRT Pro Nationals
May 15-17, 2015, Herndon, Virginia
Round of 32 (seedings)
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Gabriela Martinez v. 17) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez
9) Da'monique Davis - BYE
8) Sofia Rascon - BYE
5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
13) Kimberly Thomas - BYE
4) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
14) T. J. Baumbaugh - BYE
11) Susana Acosta - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya - BYE
7) Michelle Key - BYE
10) Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
15) Masiel Rivera v. 18) Amie Brewer
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, May 11, 2015
Weekend Round Up - Costa Rica Open results
Carlos Keller won the VI Costa Rica Open in San Jose, Costa Rica - a Tier 4 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event. Keller defeated Alvaro Beltran in the final, 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8.
In the semi-finals, Keller beat Felipe Camacho, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1, and Beltran defeated Roland Keller, 11-7, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5.
Beltran did win the Men’s Open Doubles title, teaming up with Alejandro Landa to defeat Felipe Camacho and Teobaldo Fumero, 15-11, 11-5, 11-0, in the final. In the semis, Beltran and Landa beat Carlos Keller and Ward Myers, 15-5, 15-12, while Camacho and Fumero defeated Conrado Moscoso and Roland Keller, 15-13, 15-14.
Coming up this week, the final Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event of the season - the LPRT Pro Nationals - takes place in Herndon, Pennsylvania, and the penultimate IRT event - the Tournament of Champions - happens in Portland, Oregon. Thus, it's going to be a big weekend for racquetball.
VI Costa Rica Open
San Jose, Costa Rica
Men’s Singles IRT Division
Final
Carlos Keller d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8
Semi-finals
Alvaro Beltran d. Roland Keller, 11-7, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5
Carlos Keller d. Felipe Camacho, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1
Quarterfinals
Alvaro Beltran d. Conrado Moscoso, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
Roland Keller d. Joe Workman, 11-3, 11-0, 11-3
Felipe Camacho d. Ward Myers, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6
Carlos Keller d. Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 0-11, 11-7, 11-6
Men’s Open Doubles
Final
Alvaro Beltran & Alejandro Landa d. Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero, 15-11, 11-5, 11-0
Semi-finals
Alvaro Beltran & Alejandro Landa d. Carlos Keller & Ward Myers, 15-5, 15-12
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero d. Conrado Moscoso & Roland Keller, 15-13, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Keller beat Felipe Camacho, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1, and Beltran defeated Roland Keller, 11-7, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5.
Beltran did win the Men’s Open Doubles title, teaming up with Alejandro Landa to defeat Felipe Camacho and Teobaldo Fumero, 15-11, 11-5, 11-0, in the final. In the semis, Beltran and Landa beat Carlos Keller and Ward Myers, 15-5, 15-12, while Camacho and Fumero defeated Conrado Moscoso and Roland Keller, 15-13, 15-14.
Coming up this week, the final Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event of the season - the LPRT Pro Nationals - takes place in Herndon, Pennsylvania, and the penultimate IRT event - the Tournament of Champions - happens in Portland, Oregon. Thus, it's going to be a big weekend for racquetball.
VI Costa Rica Open
San Jose, Costa Rica
Men’s Singles IRT Division
Final
Carlos Keller d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8
Semi-finals
Alvaro Beltran d. Roland Keller, 11-7, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-5
Carlos Keller d. Felipe Camacho, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1
Quarterfinals
Alvaro Beltran d. Conrado Moscoso, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
Roland Keller d. Joe Workman, 11-3, 11-0, 11-3
Felipe Camacho d. Ward Myers, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6
Carlos Keller d. Alejandro Landa, 11-6, 0-11, 11-7, 11-6
Men’s Open Doubles
Final
Alvaro Beltran & Alejandro Landa d. Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero, 15-11, 11-5, 11-0
Semi-finals
Alvaro Beltran & Alejandro Landa d. Carlos Keller & Ward Myers, 15-5, 15-12
Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero d. Conrado Moscoso & Roland Keller, 15-13, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Cardona wins 2015 WRT Cali Open
Alejandro Cardona was a double winner Saturday in Cali, Colombia, as he captured both the singles and doubles titles at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Cali Open. In singles, Cardona defeated Andree Parrilla, 15-9, 15-14, and in doubles he teamed up with Polo Gutierrez to beat Jake Bredenbeck and Sebastian Franco by the same 15-9, 15-14, scoreline.
Cardona and Parrilla scored in bunches in the first game of their final. It started slowly, taking 10 rallies to get to 2-0 in Cardona’s favour. He extended that lead to 9-0 before Parrilla got his first point.
Parrilla got six more to trail 9-7. Cardona then went ahead 11-7, and Parrilla responded to make it 11-9. But he got no more after that as Cardona closed out game one with four unanswered points.
Parrilla generally hit lob serves, especially kiss lobs, to Cardona, who as usual used his powerful drive serve throughout the match, hitting it to both sides.
Parrilla started better in game two, going out to a 5-0 lead. But Cardona caught him at 7-7, and they were back and forth after that. Parrilla led 13-11, but Cardona got to 14 first at 14-13.
Parrilla fought off that match point with a forehand pinch, one of his favorite shots in the match. Parrilla tied it at 14-14 by ending a long rally with a diving kill shot winner.
But Cardona hit a backhand cross court to save game point. Then after hitting a drive serve short, he hit another drive serve on second serve. It was perhaps the first time Cardona had drove serve on second serve in the match. Parrilla skipped the backhand return ending the match.
In the doubles final, Cardona and Gutierrez, who were the top seeds, defeated 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Sebastian Franco, 15-9, 15-14.
The WRT’s next event will be in Juarez, Mexico in June.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Final
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 8) Andree Parrilla, 15-9, 15-14
Doubles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco, 15-9, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Cardona and Parrilla scored in bunches in the first game of their final. It started slowly, taking 10 rallies to get to 2-0 in Cardona’s favour. He extended that lead to 9-0 before Parrilla got his first point.
Parrilla got six more to trail 9-7. Cardona then went ahead 11-7, and Parrilla responded to make it 11-9. But he got no more after that as Cardona closed out game one with four unanswered points.
Parrilla generally hit lob serves, especially kiss lobs, to Cardona, who as usual used his powerful drive serve throughout the match, hitting it to both sides.
Parrilla started better in game two, going out to a 5-0 lead. But Cardona caught him at 7-7, and they were back and forth after that. Parrilla led 13-11, but Cardona got to 14 first at 14-13.
Parrilla fought off that match point with a forehand pinch, one of his favorite shots in the match. Parrilla tied it at 14-14 by ending a long rally with a diving kill shot winner.
But Cardona hit a backhand cross court to save game point. Then after hitting a drive serve short, he hit another drive serve on second serve. It was perhaps the first time Cardona had drove serve on second serve in the match. Parrilla skipped the backhand return ending the match.
In the doubles final, Cardona and Gutierrez, who were the top seeds, defeated 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Sebastian Franco, 15-9, 15-14.
The WRT’s next event will be in Juarez, Mexico in June.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Final
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 8) Andree Parrilla, 15-9, 15-14
Doubles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco, 15-9, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, May 8, 2015
Cardona & Parrilla to meet in final of 2015 WRT Cali Open
Two great semi-final matches at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Cali Open in Cali, Colombia. Third seed Alejandro Cardona defeated 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-10, 12-15, 11-10, and 8th seed Andree Parrilla beat 13th seed Gerardo Franco, 8-15, 15-6, 11-9.
Game one of Cardona and Bredenbeck was as streaky as could be. Cardona led 5-0. The Bredenbeck led 9-5, and Cardona won 15-10, as both players scored in bunches and it was Cardona who got the last bunch.
Throughout the match Cardona drove serve both to the right and the left, and hit lob serves on second serve. Bredenbeck used a greater variety of serves, including lobs, which were effective against Cardona last week when they played in Minneapolis and Bredenbeck won. The lob was also effective in Cali, but Bredenbeck mixed it in with other serves, including backhand drive serves to both sides.
Bredenbeck was still feeling the effects all the racquetball last weekend, when he won the event in Minneapolis, so he wasn’t 100%. He never drove serve full out against Cardona, yet still managed to be effective at perhaps 80% of his maximum power.
After the streaky first game, Bredenbeck took a big lead in game two at 12-4 and then 14-7. But Cardona kept fighting and as he narrowed the gap to 14-12 it looked like he might close it out in two straight.
However, Bredenbeck got the serve back as he turned around to use his forehand to return a drive serve to the left by Cardona that came off the back wall. On the next rally, his second game point, Bredenbeck hit a forehand winner to force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, it again got streaky. Bredenbeck was ahead 3-0. Cardona tied it at 4-4 and went ahead 7-4. Bredenbeck tied it at 7-7 and went ahead 10-7 hitting two service winners and an ace with his backhand drive serve.
But Cardona got the serve back with a backhand cross court serve return, and then scored four consecutive points that were all winners by Cardona, including an ace and a service winner. The winning point was a Cardona backhand cross court shot.
In the second semi-final, Parrilla started well with a 3-1 lead in game one. But Franco responded by scoring a string of points to lead 11-4. Parrilla scored a few points before Franco ended it at 15-8.
Game two started more slowly with 22 rallies needed to get to 4-4. Parrilla then went up 9-4 quickly. Franco held him there for seven rallies, but couldn’t score himself. Parrilla broke through that plateau and went on to win 15-6.
In the breaker, Parrilla again led early at 3-0. But Franco got a sideout and scored four straight winners to lead 4-3. Parilla got the served back, and scored three more, making it 7-4. From there, Parrilla never trailed, although Franco did tie it at 7-7 and 9-9.
Franco got the serve back on Parrilla first match point, and on the ensuing rally he hit two great backhand down the line shots that Parrilla managed to hit ceiling balls off of. Franco tried it a third time, and that shot came off the side wall just a little, which gave Parrilla an opportunity to hit a backhand pinch shot for a winner.
On his second match point, Parrilla won it with a backhand cross court.
It’s difficult to believe that Parrilla and Franco are both teenagers, because they play with great skill and poise. Also, they are both control players rather than power players, and with the control they already have they should both have bright futures in the game.
The WRT webcast the singles final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM with the doubles final to follow immediately afterwards. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Semi-finals
8) Andree Parrilla d. 13) Gerardo Franco, 8-15, 15-6, 11-9
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-10, 12-15, 11-10
Final
3) Alejandro Cardona v. 8) Andree Parrilla - 1 PM CDT
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez d. 5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla, 15-13, 15-4
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco d. 6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios, 15-8, 15-11
Doubles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez v. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco
Follow the bouncing ball….
Game one of Cardona and Bredenbeck was as streaky as could be. Cardona led 5-0. The Bredenbeck led 9-5, and Cardona won 15-10, as both players scored in bunches and it was Cardona who got the last bunch.
Throughout the match Cardona drove serve both to the right and the left, and hit lob serves on second serve. Bredenbeck used a greater variety of serves, including lobs, which were effective against Cardona last week when they played in Minneapolis and Bredenbeck won. The lob was also effective in Cali, but Bredenbeck mixed it in with other serves, including backhand drive serves to both sides.
Bredenbeck was still feeling the effects all the racquetball last weekend, when he won the event in Minneapolis, so he wasn’t 100%. He never drove serve full out against Cardona, yet still managed to be effective at perhaps 80% of his maximum power.
After the streaky first game, Bredenbeck took a big lead in game two at 12-4 and then 14-7. But Cardona kept fighting and as he narrowed the gap to 14-12 it looked like he might close it out in two straight.
However, Bredenbeck got the serve back as he turned around to use his forehand to return a drive serve to the left by Cardona that came off the back wall. On the next rally, his second game point, Bredenbeck hit a forehand winner to force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, it again got streaky. Bredenbeck was ahead 3-0. Cardona tied it at 4-4 and went ahead 7-4. Bredenbeck tied it at 7-7 and went ahead 10-7 hitting two service winners and an ace with his backhand drive serve.
But Cardona got the serve back with a backhand cross court serve return, and then scored four consecutive points that were all winners by Cardona, including an ace and a service winner. The winning point was a Cardona backhand cross court shot.
In the second semi-final, Parrilla started well with a 3-1 lead in game one. But Franco responded by scoring a string of points to lead 11-4. Parrilla scored a few points before Franco ended it at 15-8.
Game two started more slowly with 22 rallies needed to get to 4-4. Parrilla then went up 9-4 quickly. Franco held him there for seven rallies, but couldn’t score himself. Parrilla broke through that plateau and went on to win 15-6.
In the breaker, Parrilla again led early at 3-0. But Franco got a sideout and scored four straight winners to lead 4-3. Parilla got the served back, and scored three more, making it 7-4. From there, Parrilla never trailed, although Franco did tie it at 7-7 and 9-9.
Franco got the serve back on Parrilla first match point, and on the ensuing rally he hit two great backhand down the line shots that Parrilla managed to hit ceiling balls off of. Franco tried it a third time, and that shot came off the side wall just a little, which gave Parrilla an opportunity to hit a backhand pinch shot for a winner.
On his second match point, Parrilla won it with a backhand cross court.
It’s difficult to believe that Parrilla and Franco are both teenagers, because they play with great skill and poise. Also, they are both control players rather than power players, and with the control they already have they should both have bright futures in the game.
The WRT webcast the singles final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM with the doubles final to follow immediately afterwards. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Semi-finals
8) Andree Parrilla d. 13) Gerardo Franco, 8-15, 15-6, 11-9
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-10, 12-15, 11-10
Final
3) Alejandro Cardona v. 8) Andree Parrilla - 1 PM CDT
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez d. 5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla, 15-13, 15-4
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco d. 6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios, 15-8, 15-11
Doubles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez v. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco
Follow the bouncing ball….
WRT 2015 Cali Open - Quarterfinals
Two young Mexicans will face off in the semi-finals of the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) at the Cali Open in Cali, Colombia. Young, as in teenagers. Andree Parrilla knocked off top seed Polo Gutierrez, 7-15, 15-11, 11-4, in the quarterfinals, and Gerardo Franco also came back from a game down to defeat Jose Daniel Alvarez in their quarterfinal, 13-15, 15-2, 11-3.
Parrilla was the Boy's U16 World Junior Champion in 2013, so he’s not unknown but Franco is less known, but played well in the quarters.
On the bottom of the draw, the results were more expected, as the other semi-final will be between 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck and 3rd seed Alejandro Cardona, although Bredenbeck needed a tie-breaker to get by 10th seed Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-14, 13-15, 11-5. Cardona defeated Jaime Martell in two games, 15–8, 15-0, in the quarterfinals.
Bredenbeck, who won last week’s WRT event in Minneapolis, rarely used his drive serve against Ugalde, and we suspect that he is still feeling the effects of last weekend’s action. Ugalde almost stole the victory with lob serves tight to the right side wall, which is all glass and Bredenbeck’s forehand side.
Parrilla also lob served to the right side effectively against Gutierrez, but curiously Franco’s lob serves to Alvarez were to the left side, despite the fact that Alvarez is a lefthander, so that right side glass was on his backhand side. But Franco’s strategy was effective, as Alvarez’s effectiveness at returning kiss lobs on his forehand was not great.
They will be webcasting the semi-finals Friday night at 6 and 7 PM with the final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Quarterfinals
8) Andree Parrilla d. 1) Polo Gutierrez, 7-15, 15-11, 11-4
13) Gerardo Franco d. 12) Jose Daniel Alvarez, 13-15, 15-2, 11-3
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 6) Jaime Martell, 15-8, 15-0
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-14, 13-15, 11-5
Semi-finals
8) Andree Parrilla v. 13) Gerardo Franco - 7 PM CDT
2) Jake Bredenbeck v. 3) Alejandro Cardona - 6 PM CDT
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez v. 5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla - 7 PM CDT
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco v. 6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios - 7 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Parrilla was the Boy's U16 World Junior Champion in 2013, so he’s not unknown but Franco is less known, but played well in the quarters.
On the bottom of the draw, the results were more expected, as the other semi-final will be between 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck and 3rd seed Alejandro Cardona, although Bredenbeck needed a tie-breaker to get by 10th seed Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-14, 13-15, 11-5. Cardona defeated Jaime Martell in two games, 15–8, 15-0, in the quarterfinals.
Bredenbeck, who won last week’s WRT event in Minneapolis, rarely used his drive serve against Ugalde, and we suspect that he is still feeling the effects of last weekend’s action. Ugalde almost stole the victory with lob serves tight to the right side wall, which is all glass and Bredenbeck’s forehand side.
Parrilla also lob served to the right side effectively against Gutierrez, but curiously Franco’s lob serves to Alvarez were to the left side, despite the fact that Alvarez is a lefthander, so that right side glass was on his backhand side. But Franco’s strategy was effective, as Alvarez’s effectiveness at returning kiss lobs on his forehand was not great.
They will be webcasting the semi-finals Friday night at 6 and 7 PM with the final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Quarterfinals
8) Andree Parrilla d. 1) Polo Gutierrez, 7-15, 15-11, 11-4
13) Gerardo Franco d. 12) Jose Daniel Alvarez, 13-15, 15-2, 11-3
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 6) Jaime Martell, 15-8, 15-0
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-14, 13-15, 11-5
Semi-finals
8) Andree Parrilla v. 13) Gerardo Franco - 7 PM CDT
2) Jake Bredenbeck v. 3) Alejandro Cardona - 6 PM CDT
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez v. 5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla - 7 PM CDT
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco v. 6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios - 7 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
WRT 2015 Cali Open - Round of 16
There were a few upsets in the Round of 16 at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Cali Open in Cali, Colombia, but the top three seeds - Polo Gutierrez, Jake Bredenbeck, Alejandro Cardona, #1, 2, 3, respectively - are all into the quarterfinals.
However, 4th seed David Horn and 5th seed Anthony Herrera are both out. Horn lose to 13th seed Gerardo Franco, and Herrera lost to 12th seed Jose Daniel Alvarez, 13-15, 15-1, 11-3. Moreover, Horn and Herrera were playing doubles together and lost their quarterfinal match against Alvarez and Fernando Rios, 15-8, 15-13. In short, Thursday was not a good day for Horn and Herrera.
The other upset win in singles was 10th seed Jose Daniel Ugalde defeating 7th Sebastian Franco, although in doubles their fortunes were reversed. Franco and Bredenbeck defeated Juan Francisco Cueva and Jorge Ochoa, 15-6, 15-7, while Ugalde and Jaime Martell lost to Mario Mercado and Andree Parrilla, 5-15, 15-12, 11-2.
They will be webcasting the quarterfinals beginning Friday morning at 10 AM. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday night at 6 and 7 PM with the final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Round of 16
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 17) Juan Torres, 15-0, 15-0
8) Andree Parrilla d. 9) Fernando Rios, 11-15, 15-13, 11-5
12) Jose Daniel Alvarez d. 5) Anthony Herrera, 13-15, 15-1, 11-3
13) Gerardo Franco d. 4) David Horn
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 14) Set Cubillos, 15-9, 15-10
6) Jaime Martell d. 11) Mario Mercado
10) Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 7) Sebastian Franco
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 15) Francisco Gomez Reyes
Quarterfinals
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 8) Andree Parrilla
12) Jose Daniel Alvarez v. 13) Gerardo Franco
3) Alejandro Cardona v. 6) Jaime Martell
2) Jake Bredenbeck v. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez d. 8) Set Cubillos & Juan Torres, 15-4, 15-9
5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla d. 4) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde, 5-15, 15-12, 11-2
6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios d. 3) Anthony Herrera & David Horn, 15-8, 15-13
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco d. 7) Juan Francisco Cueva & Jorge Ochoa, 15-6, 15-7
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez v. 5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco v. 6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios
Follow the bouncing ball….
However, 4th seed David Horn and 5th seed Anthony Herrera are both out. Horn lose to 13th seed Gerardo Franco, and Herrera lost to 12th seed Jose Daniel Alvarez, 13-15, 15-1, 11-3. Moreover, Horn and Herrera were playing doubles together and lost their quarterfinal match against Alvarez and Fernando Rios, 15-8, 15-13. In short, Thursday was not a good day for Horn and Herrera.
The other upset win in singles was 10th seed Jose Daniel Ugalde defeating 7th Sebastian Franco, although in doubles their fortunes were reversed. Franco and Bredenbeck defeated Juan Francisco Cueva and Jorge Ochoa, 15-6, 15-7, while Ugalde and Jaime Martell lost to Mario Mercado and Andree Parrilla, 5-15, 15-12, 11-2.
They will be webcasting the quarterfinals beginning Friday morning at 10 AM. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday night at 6 and 7 PM with the final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Round of 16
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 17) Juan Torres, 15-0, 15-0
8) Andree Parrilla d. 9) Fernando Rios, 11-15, 15-13, 11-5
12) Jose Daniel Alvarez d. 5) Anthony Herrera, 13-15, 15-1, 11-3
13) Gerardo Franco d. 4) David Horn
3) Alejandro Cardona d. 14) Set Cubillos, 15-9, 15-10
6) Jaime Martell d. 11) Mario Mercado
10) Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 7) Sebastian Franco
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 15) Francisco Gomez Reyes
Quarterfinals
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 8) Andree Parrilla
12) Jose Daniel Alvarez v. 13) Gerardo Franco
3) Alejandro Cardona v. 6) Jaime Martell
2) Jake Bredenbeck v. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez d. 8) Set Cubillos & Juan Torres, 15-4, 15-9
5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla d. 4) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde, 5-15, 15-12, 11-2
6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios d. 3) Anthony Herrera & David Horn, 15-8, 15-13
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco d. 7) Juan Francisco Cueva & Jorge Ochoa, 15-6, 15-7
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez v. 5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco v. 6) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, May 7, 2015
WRT 2015 Cali Open - Round of 32
The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) is back in action this weekend, but far south of where they were last weekend, as Cali, Colombia is the site of this weekend’s WRT Cali Open. Jake Bredenbeck will be trying to win back to back tournaments after being successful in his native state of Minnesota last weekend.
Bredenbeck’s win puts him 2nd in the draw with last weekend’s runner up Polo Gutierrez still in the 1st seed position. Alejandro Cardona, David Horn and Anthony Herrera round out the top five.
Play has begun, as the tournament is being run Thursday to Saturday. Thus, everyone is operating on a short week, which should mean that the fitter players are at an advantage. Or perhaps the players who didn’t play last week could have an advantage. The two most prominent players in the draw who weren’t in Minnesota are Sebastian Franco and Andree Parrilla.
Franco may face Bredenbeck, who he’s playing doubles with this weekend, in the quarterfinals, although Franco does have to defeat Jose Daniel Ugalde to get there.
They will be webcasting the quarterfinals beginning Friday morning at 10 AM. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday night at 6 and 7 PM with the final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Round of 32
1) Polo Gutierrez - BYE
17) Juan Torres d. 16) Mateo Espinoza, 15-6, 15-4
9) Fernando Rios - BYE
8) Andree Parrilla - BYE
5) Anthony Herrera _ BYE
12) Jose Daniel Alvarez d. 21) Jorge Ochoa, 15-5, 15-2
13) Gerardo Franco v. 20) Felipe Arenas
4) David Horn - BYE
3) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
14) Set Cubillos v. 19) Juan Francisco Cueva
11) Mario Mercado - BYE
6) Jaime Martell - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco - BYE
10) Jose Daniel Ugalde - BYE
15) Francisco Gomez Reyes v. 18) Christian Chavez
2) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Round of 16
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 17) Juan Torres
8) Andree Parrilla v. 9) Fernando Rios
5) Anthony Herrera v. 12) Jose Daniel Alvarez
4) David Horn v. 13) Gerardo Franco or 20) Felipe Arenas
3) Alejandro Cardona v. 14) Set Cubillos or 19) Juan Francisco Cueva
6) Jaime Martell v. 11) Mario Mercado
7) Sebastian Franco v. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde
2) Jake Bredenbeck v. 15) Francisco Gomez Reyes or 18) Christian Chavez
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez - BYE
8) Set Cubillos & Juan Torres d. 9) Christian Chavez & Mateo Espinoza, 15-7, 15-4
5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla - BYE
4) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde - BYE
3) Anthony Herrera & David Horn - BYE
3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios - BYE
7) Juan Francisco Cueva & Jorge Ochoa - BYE
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Bredenbeck’s win puts him 2nd in the draw with last weekend’s runner up Polo Gutierrez still in the 1st seed position. Alejandro Cardona, David Horn and Anthony Herrera round out the top five.
Play has begun, as the tournament is being run Thursday to Saturday. Thus, everyone is operating on a short week, which should mean that the fitter players are at an advantage. Or perhaps the players who didn’t play last week could have an advantage. The two most prominent players in the draw who weren’t in Minnesota are Sebastian Franco and Andree Parrilla.
Franco may face Bredenbeck, who he’s playing doubles with this weekend, in the quarterfinals, although Franco does have to defeat Jose Daniel Ugalde to get there.
They will be webcasting the quarterfinals beginning Friday morning at 10 AM. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday night at 6 and 7 PM with the final Saturday afternoon at 1 PM. Find the link at the WRT Facebook page.
2015 WRT Cali Open
Cali, Colombia
Round of 32
1) Polo Gutierrez - BYE
17) Juan Torres d. 16) Mateo Espinoza, 15-6, 15-4
9) Fernando Rios - BYE
8) Andree Parrilla - BYE
5) Anthony Herrera _ BYE
12) Jose Daniel Alvarez d. 21) Jorge Ochoa, 15-5, 15-2
13) Gerardo Franco v. 20) Felipe Arenas
4) David Horn - BYE
3) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
14) Set Cubillos v. 19) Juan Francisco Cueva
11) Mario Mercado - BYE
6) Jaime Martell - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco - BYE
10) Jose Daniel Ugalde - BYE
15) Francisco Gomez Reyes v. 18) Christian Chavez
2) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Round of 16
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 17) Juan Torres
8) Andree Parrilla v. 9) Fernando Rios
5) Anthony Herrera v. 12) Jose Daniel Alvarez
4) David Horn v. 13) Gerardo Franco or 20) Felipe Arenas
3) Alejandro Cardona v. 14) Set Cubillos or 19) Juan Francisco Cueva
6) Jaime Martell v. 11) Mario Mercado
7) Sebastian Franco v. 10) Jose Daniel Ugalde
2) Jake Bredenbeck v. 15) Francisco Gomez Reyes or 18) Christian Chavez
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona & Polo Gutierrez - BYE
8) Set Cubillos & Juan Torres d. 9) Christian Chavez & Mateo Espinoza, 15-7, 15-4
5) Mario Mercado & Andree Parrilla - BYE
4) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde - BYE
3) Anthony Herrera & David Horn - BYE
3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios - BYE
7) Juan Francisco Cueva & Jorge Ochoa - BYE
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Bredenbeck wins 2015 WRT Midwest Championships
Jake Bredenbeck won the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Midwest Championships in Minneapolis in a tie-breaker over Polo Gutierrez, 15-12, 9-15, 11-6. He used his powerful drive serve to keep Gutierrez off balance, and then followed that up with some strong shots during the rallies.
After the match, Bredenbeck said his shoulder "hurts a lot," but added it "feels really good to win."
Bredenbeck won game one, although Gutierrez led for most of the game, including at 10-5 and 12-9. But Bredenbeck won the last six points to take it 15-12 with four forehand winners and the last point off a drive serve ace to the left side.
The veteran Gutierrez was undeterred, though, and led for most of game two. Bredenbeck got close at 6-5 down, but wasn't within three after that, as Gutierrez won it 15-9.
They were close early in game three, and tied at 3-3. But Bredenbeck poured it on from there, scoring five points on consecutive rallies to lead 8-3. He added another for a 9-3 lead, and the writing seemed to be on the wall.
Gutierrez got a few back, but Bredenbeck won it on his second match point opportunity, hitting a drive serve to the right - most of his drive serves in the tie-breaker had been to the left - and following it up with a forehand down the line shot to win it.
In doubles, the glass shoe broke for Minnesotans John Goth and Alejandro Romo, who were surprise finalists, as they fell to the 2nd seed Jaime Martell and Jose Daniel Ugalde in two straight games, 15-11, 15-9.
The WRT is in action again next weekend in Cali, Colombia.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Final
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) Polo Gutierrez, 15-12, 9-15, 11-6
Doubles - Final
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo, 15-11, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
After the match, Bredenbeck said his shoulder "hurts a lot," but added it "feels really good to win."
Bredenbeck won game one, although Gutierrez led for most of the game, including at 10-5 and 12-9. But Bredenbeck won the last six points to take it 15-12 with four forehand winners and the last point off a drive serve ace to the left side.
The veteran Gutierrez was undeterred, though, and led for most of game two. Bredenbeck got close at 6-5 down, but wasn't within three after that, as Gutierrez won it 15-9.
They were close early in game three, and tied at 3-3. But Bredenbeck poured it on from there, scoring five points on consecutive rallies to lead 8-3. He added another for a 9-3 lead, and the writing seemed to be on the wall.
Gutierrez got a few back, but Bredenbeck won it on his second match point opportunity, hitting a drive serve to the right - most of his drive serves in the tie-breaker had been to the left - and following it up with a forehand down the line shot to win it.
In doubles, the glass shoe broke for Minnesotans John Goth and Alejandro Romo, who were surprise finalists, as they fell to the 2nd seed Jaime Martell and Jose Daniel Ugalde in two straight games, 15-11, 15-9.
The WRT is in action again next weekend in Cali, Colombia.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Final
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) Polo Gutierrez, 15-12, 9-15, 11-6
Doubles - Final
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo, 15-11, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk wins IRT Krowning Moment tournament
Kane Waselenchuk took another step towards his 10th International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season ending #1 title with a win over Rocky Carson in the final of the Krowning Moment Pro Invitational in Edinburg, Texas. Waselenchuk defeated Carson in three straight games, 11-4, 11-(-1), 11-3.
It's a victory that should put Waselenchuk ahead of Carson in the rankings with two events to go in the season. The next of those events - the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon May 14-17 - is only Tier 2 points, so that shouldn't influence the overall rankings much.
However, last event - the Fresno IRT Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California May 28-31 - will be full points, and a win for Carson there might be enough to claim the IRT's #1 position at season's end.
Carson was the IRT #1 player for the 2007-08 season, but Waselenchuk has finished #1 every season since.
2015 Krowning Moment Pro Invitational
Edinburg, Texas
Final
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 1 Rocky Carson, 11-4, 11-(-1), 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
It's a victory that should put Waselenchuk ahead of Carson in the rankings with two events to go in the season. The next of those events - the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon May 14-17 - is only Tier 2 points, so that shouldn't influence the overall rankings much.
However, last event - the Fresno IRT Summer Kickoff in Fresno, California May 28-31 - will be full points, and a win for Carson there might be enough to claim the IRT's #1 position at season's end.
Carson was the IRT #1 player for the 2007-08 season, but Waselenchuk has finished #1 every season since.
2015 Krowning Moment Pro Invitational
Edinburg, Texas
Final
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 1 Rocky Carson, 11-4, 11-(-1), 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships - Semi-finals
Generally, it's not good to lose the first game of a match, but that proved to be the route to victory for both Polo Gutierrez and Jake Bredenbeck in the semi-finals of the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Midwest Championships in Minneapolis, so they will meet in Sunday's final. Moreover, their first game losses were not just losses, but drubbings, as Cliff Swain beat Gutierrez 15-3 in the first game of their semi and Alejandro Cardona beat Bredenbeck 15-6 in their first game.
But Bredenbeck changed strategy in game two, using a variety of lob serves to build an early 7-1 lead. Cardona closed it to 7-6, but Bredenbeck again extended the lead to 14-6, and closed it out 15-10.
He used that momentum to carry the day in the tie-breaker as well, winning the match 6-15, 15-10, 11-3.
Gutierrez also had the early lead in game two with Swain, at 5-2, but they were tied at 7-7, and Swain led 11-8. But Gutierrez held Swain there, scoring the last seven points of the game to force a tie-breaker.
The breaker was long. After 33 rallies, they were tied at 5-5. Swain led 5-0 to start, but Gutierrez came back and tied it. He pushed on to win it 11-6 fifteen rallies later.
At 49, some may have questioned whether Swain's fitness played a role in the outcome. In other sports, people will talk about players being fit and being match fit, where the latter requires seeing some competitive action. Swain was playing his fourth match in about 36 hours, and the toll that takes is mental as well as physical. It's fatiguing to concentrate over that many points for that number of matches, especially if you haven't been doing much of that recently.
Swain made five unforced errors in the breaker. Skipping balls that he would normally put away. When the difference between players is small, that many errors can change an outcome, especially if the game is to 11.
Big upset in doubles, as the top seeds Anthony Herrera and David Horn lose to Minnesotans John Goth and Alejandro Romo, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6, in the semi-finals. They'll face 2nd seeds Jaime Martell and Jose Daniel Ugalde, who beat Jose Daniel Alvarez and Fernando Rios in the other semi, 15-11, 15-12.
To view the finals - singles and doubles - on Sunday, look for a link on the WRT Facebook page. The singles final starts at noon with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Semi-finals
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 12) Cliff Swain, 3-15, 15-11, 11-6
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 2) Alejandro Cardona, 6-15, 15-10, 11-3
Final
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck
Doubles - Semi-finals
5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo d. 1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios, 15-11, 15-12
Doubles - Final
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde v. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo
Follow the bouncing ball….
But Bredenbeck changed strategy in game two, using a variety of lob serves to build an early 7-1 lead. Cardona closed it to 7-6, but Bredenbeck again extended the lead to 14-6, and closed it out 15-10.
He used that momentum to carry the day in the tie-breaker as well, winning the match 6-15, 15-10, 11-3.
Gutierrez also had the early lead in game two with Swain, at 5-2, but they were tied at 7-7, and Swain led 11-8. But Gutierrez held Swain there, scoring the last seven points of the game to force a tie-breaker.
The breaker was long. After 33 rallies, they were tied at 5-5. Swain led 5-0 to start, but Gutierrez came back and tied it. He pushed on to win it 11-6 fifteen rallies later.
At 49, some may have questioned whether Swain's fitness played a role in the outcome. In other sports, people will talk about players being fit and being match fit, where the latter requires seeing some competitive action. Swain was playing his fourth match in about 36 hours, and the toll that takes is mental as well as physical. It's fatiguing to concentrate over that many points for that number of matches, especially if you haven't been doing much of that recently.
Swain made five unforced errors in the breaker. Skipping balls that he would normally put away. When the difference between players is small, that many errors can change an outcome, especially if the game is to 11.
Big upset in doubles, as the top seeds Anthony Herrera and David Horn lose to Minnesotans John Goth and Alejandro Romo, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6, in the semi-finals. They'll face 2nd seeds Jaime Martell and Jose Daniel Ugalde, who beat Jose Daniel Alvarez and Fernando Rios in the other semi, 15-11, 15-12.
To view the finals - singles and doubles - on Sunday, look for a link on the WRT Facebook page. The singles final starts at noon with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Semi-finals
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 12) Cliff Swain, 3-15, 15-11, 11-6
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 2) Alejandro Cardona, 6-15, 15-10, 11-3
Final
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck
Doubles - Semi-finals
5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo d. 1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios, 15-11, 15-12
Doubles - Final
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde v. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, May 2, 2015
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships - Quarterfinals
Cliff Swain turning back the clock again, as he defeated 4th seed David Horn, 15-13, 15-7, in the quarterfinals of the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Midwest Championships in Minneapolis. Swain will play top seed Polo Gutierrez in the semi-finals later Saturday, as Gutierrez beat Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-4, 15-2, in the quarters.
Swain and Horn were close all the way in game one, and Horn led late at 12-10 and 13-12. But it was the veteran Swain who pulled out the win, making the last point with a forehand kill shot. Game two was not close, as Swain went out to a 9-1 lead.
Horn did close the difference to three at 10-7, but didn't get more than that as Sawin won the last five points of the match. Serving at 7-14, Horn double faulted on a second serve lob to the right side - Swain's backhand.
Swain drove serve throughout the match, hitting drive z serves on second serve. We counted nine aces by Swain in the match.
On the bottom of the draw, Minnesota's own Jake Bredenbeck was up big in game one against Jaime Martell, but Martell came back to win it, 15-14. However, it seemed Martell used up too much energy in making that come back as Bredenbeck won the next two games relatively comfortably, taking the match 14-15, 15-4, 11-4.
Bredenbeck, the 3rd seed, will face 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona in the semis, after Cardona defeated Fernando Rios, 15-3, 15-2.
The semi-finals will be live streamed beginning at 5 PM CDT Saturday. Look for a link on the WRT Facebook page. Also, both the singles and doubles finals will streamed on Sunday - at noon and 1 PM, respectively.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Quarterfinals
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-4, 15-2
12) Cliff Swain d. 4) David Horn, 15-13, 15-7
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 6) Jaime Martell, 14-15, 15-4, 11-4
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 7) Fernando Rios, 15-3, 15-2
Semi-finals
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 12) Cliff Swain - 6 PM CDT
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck - 5 PM CDT
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn v. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo - 7 PM CDT
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde v. 3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios - 7 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Swain and Horn were close all the way in game one, and Horn led late at 12-10 and 13-12. But it was the veteran Swain who pulled out the win, making the last point with a forehand kill shot. Game two was not close, as Swain went out to a 9-1 lead.
Horn did close the difference to three at 10-7, but didn't get more than that as Sawin won the last five points of the match. Serving at 7-14, Horn double faulted on a second serve lob to the right side - Swain's backhand.
Swain drove serve throughout the match, hitting drive z serves on second serve. We counted nine aces by Swain in the match.
On the bottom of the draw, Minnesota's own Jake Bredenbeck was up big in game one against Jaime Martell, but Martell came back to win it, 15-14. However, it seemed Martell used up too much energy in making that come back as Bredenbeck won the next two games relatively comfortably, taking the match 14-15, 15-4, 11-4.
Bredenbeck, the 3rd seed, will face 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona in the semis, after Cardona defeated Fernando Rios, 15-3, 15-2.
The semi-finals will be live streamed beginning at 5 PM CDT Saturday. Look for a link on the WRT Facebook page. Also, both the singles and doubles finals will streamed on Sunday - at noon and 1 PM, respectively.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Quarterfinals
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-4, 15-2
12) Cliff Swain d. 4) David Horn, 15-13, 15-7
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 6) Jaime Martell, 14-15, 15-4, 11-4
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 7) Fernando Rios, 15-3, 15-2
Semi-finals
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 12) Cliff Swain - 6 PM CDT
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck - 5 PM CDT
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn v. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo - 7 PM CDT
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde v. 3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios - 7 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT Krowning Moment Semi-finals
Number 1 will play number 2 in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Krowning Moment Pro Invitational in Edinburg, Texas, as Rocky Carson, the IRT's #1 player, will face Kane Waselenchuk, the #2 player, in the final Saturday night.
Carson needed four games to defeat 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9, 11-2, in one semi-final, while Waselenchuk defeated 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran in three straight games, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3.
The final will be webcast live Saturday night via the IRT Network at 7:15 PM CDT.
2015 Krowning Moment Pro Invitational
Edinburg, Texas
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson d. 4 Daniel De La Rosa, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9, 11-2
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3
Final
1 Rocky Carson v. 2 Kane Waselenchuk - 7:15 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Carson needed four games to defeat 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9, 11-2, in one semi-final, while Waselenchuk defeated 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran in three straight games, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3.
The final will be webcast live Saturday night via the IRT Network at 7:15 PM CDT.
2015 Krowning Moment Pro Invitational
Edinburg, Texas
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson d. 4 Daniel De La Rosa, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9, 11-2
2 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3
Final
1 Rocky Carson v. 2 Kane Waselenchuk - 7:15 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, May 1, 2015
IRT Krowning Moment Quarterfinals
The top four seeds have all made it into the semi-finals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Krowning Moment Pro Invitational in Edinburg, Texas, and three of the four won their respective quarterfinal matches in three straight games, including IRT #1 Rocky Carson, who defeated Charlie Pratt, 11-1, 11-9, 11-6, and IRT #2 Kane Waselenchuk, a winner against Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-0, 11-0.
The exception was 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, who dropped the first game against Jansen Allen, but then won the next three consecutive to take the match, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.
You can see the semi-finals via the IRT Network beginning at 11 AM CDT Saturday. Also, the final is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:15 PM CDT.
2015 Krowning Moment Pro Invitational
Edinburg, Texas
Quarterfinals
1 Rocky Carson d. 8 Charlie Pratt, 11-1, 11-9, 11-6
4 Daniel De La Rosa d. 5 Jose Rojas, 11-5, 11-8, 12-10
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 6 Jansen Allen, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 7 Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-0, 11-0
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson v. 4 Daniel De La Rosa - 11:00 AM CDT
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - 12:30 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
The exception was 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, who dropped the first game against Jansen Allen, but then won the next three consecutive to take the match, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.
You can see the semi-finals via the IRT Network beginning at 11 AM CDT Saturday. Also, the final is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:15 PM CDT.
2015 Krowning Moment Pro Invitational
Edinburg, Texas
Quarterfinals
1 Rocky Carson d. 8 Charlie Pratt, 11-1, 11-9, 11-6
4 Daniel De La Rosa d. 5 Jose Rojas, 11-5, 11-8, 12-10
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 6 Jansen Allen, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 7 Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-0, 11-0
Semi-finals
1 Rocky Carson v. 4 Daniel De La Rosa - 11:00 AM CDT
2 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - 12:30 PM CDT
Follow the bouncing ball….
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships - Round of 32 & 16
From the Wily Veteran Dept., Cliff Swain upset 5th seed Anthony Herrera, 15-9, 15-13, in the Round of 16 at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Midwest Championships in Minneapolis. Swain, two time US Open Champion, has recently moved to the Twin Cities, so it's a hometown victory for him.
It looked like Herrera was going to force a tie-breaker with Swain, as he led in game two 10-3, but Swain fought all the way back to tie it at 12-12. He then went on to win it, scoring the final point with a forehand pinch into the front left corner.
Swain will face 4th seed David Horn in the quarterfinals on Saturday, as Horn defeated Minnesota native John Goth, 13-15, 15-3, 11-0.
But Goth and Alejandro Romo won their doubles match against 4th seeds Mario Mercado and Francisco Troncoso, 15-11, 15-10. They'll take on top seeds Herrera and Horn, who were winners over Brian Pearson and Dan Salamone, 15-10, 15-1.
The quarterfinal action will be live streamed beginning at 10 AM CDT Saturday. Look for a link on the WRT Facebook page. Also, both the singles and doubles finals will streamed on Sunday - at noon and 1 PM, respectively.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Round of 32
1) Polo Gutierrez - BYE
16) Shawn Merrill d. 17) Brian Pearson, 11-15, 15-4, 11-3
9) Jose Daniel Ugalde - BYE
8) Francisco Troncoso - BYE
5) Anthony Herrera - BYE
12) Cliff Swain d. 21) Roberto Leyes, 15-5, 15-1
13) John Goth d. 20) Travis Mettenbrink, 15-6, 15-3
4) David Horn - BYE
3) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
19) Alejandro Romo d. 14) Brent Walters, 15-12, 15-12
11) Jose Daniel Alvarez - BYE
6) Jaime Martell - BYE
7) Fernando Rios - BYE
10) Mario Mercado - BYE
15) Lee Meinerz d. 18) Darrin Prince, 15-12, 15-9
2) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
Round of 16
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 16) Shawn Merrill, 15-1, 15-7
8) Francisco Troncoso d. 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-0, 15-4
12) Cliff Swain d. 5) Anthony Herrera, 15-9, 15-13
4) David Horn d. 13) John Goth, 13-15, 15-3, 11-0
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 19) Alejandro Romo, 15-11, 15-2
6) Jaime Martell d. 11) Jose Daniel Alvarez, 9-15, 15-13, 11-4
7) Fernando Rios d. 10) Mario Mercado, 15-7, 15-12
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 15) Lee Meinerz, 15-6, 15-5
Quarterfinals
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde - 1 PM CDT
4) David Horn v. 12) Cliff Swain - Noon CDT
3) Jake Bredenbeck v. 6) Jaime Martell - 10 AM CDT
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 7) Fernando Rios - 11 AM CDT
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn d. 8) Brian Pearson & Dan Salamone, 15-10, 15-1
5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo d. 4) Mario Mercado & Francisco Troncoso, 15-11, 15-10
3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios d. 6) Lee Meinerz & Shawn Merrill, 15-13, 15-6
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 7) Travis Mettenbrink & Brent Walters, 14-15, 15-9, 11-10
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn v. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde v. 3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios
Follow the bouncing ball….
It looked like Herrera was going to force a tie-breaker with Swain, as he led in game two 10-3, but Swain fought all the way back to tie it at 12-12. He then went on to win it, scoring the final point with a forehand pinch into the front left corner.
Swain will face 4th seed David Horn in the quarterfinals on Saturday, as Horn defeated Minnesota native John Goth, 13-15, 15-3, 11-0.
But Goth and Alejandro Romo won their doubles match against 4th seeds Mario Mercado and Francisco Troncoso, 15-11, 15-10. They'll take on top seeds Herrera and Horn, who were winners over Brian Pearson and Dan Salamone, 15-10, 15-1.
The quarterfinal action will be live streamed beginning at 10 AM CDT Saturday. Look for a link on the WRT Facebook page. Also, both the singles and doubles finals will streamed on Sunday - at noon and 1 PM, respectively.
WRT 2015 Midwest Championships
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Round of 32
1) Polo Gutierrez - BYE
16) Shawn Merrill d. 17) Brian Pearson, 11-15, 15-4, 11-3
9) Jose Daniel Ugalde - BYE
8) Francisco Troncoso - BYE
5) Anthony Herrera - BYE
12) Cliff Swain d. 21) Roberto Leyes, 15-5, 15-1
13) John Goth d. 20) Travis Mettenbrink, 15-6, 15-3
4) David Horn - BYE
3) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
19) Alejandro Romo d. 14) Brent Walters, 15-12, 15-12
11) Jose Daniel Alvarez - BYE
6) Jaime Martell - BYE
7) Fernando Rios - BYE
10) Mario Mercado - BYE
15) Lee Meinerz d. 18) Darrin Prince, 15-12, 15-9
2) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
Round of 16
1) Polo Gutierrez d. 16) Shawn Merrill, 15-1, 15-7
8) Francisco Troncoso d. 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-0, 15-4
12) Cliff Swain d. 5) Anthony Herrera, 15-9, 15-13
4) David Horn d. 13) John Goth, 13-15, 15-3, 11-0
3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 19) Alejandro Romo, 15-11, 15-2
6) Jaime Martell d. 11) Jose Daniel Alvarez, 9-15, 15-13, 11-4
7) Fernando Rios d. 10) Mario Mercado, 15-7, 15-12
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 15) Lee Meinerz, 15-6, 15-5
Quarterfinals
1) Polo Gutierrez v. 9) Jose Daniel Ugalde - 1 PM CDT
4) David Horn v. 12) Cliff Swain - Noon CDT
3) Jake Bredenbeck v. 6) Jaime Martell - 10 AM CDT
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 7) Fernando Rios - 11 AM CDT
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn d. 8) Brian Pearson & Dan Salamone, 15-10, 15-1
5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo d. 4) Mario Mercado & Francisco Troncoso, 15-11, 15-10
3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios d. 6) Lee Meinerz & Shawn Merrill, 15-13, 15-6
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 7) Travis Mettenbrink & Brent Walters, 14-15, 15-9, 11-10
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn v. 5) John Goth & Alejandro Romo
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde v. 3) Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios
Follow the bouncing ball….
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