Waselenchuk defeats Carson to win IRT Fresno Summer Kickoff

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….