2015 Pan American Games - Doubles Day 3

Canadians Vincent Gagnon and Tim Landeryou followed up yesterday's upset win over the USA with a win over the 2nd seeded Costa Rican team of Felipe Camacho and Teobaldo Fumero Tuesday at the 2015 Pan American Games to claim the 2nd seed position in the elimination round that will begin on Wednesday. The win was not an easy one by any means, as the Canadians were down several points to start both games, but they came back to win in two straight games, 15-12, 15-9.

Asked afterwards if they had to be down before playing well, Landeryou said "the right answer is no," but "I always like to come from behind. It's almost more satisfying in a way. It allows you to bring up your intensity."

Also, both Gagnon and Landeryou admitted to thinking about the possibility of claiming the 2nd seed with a win. Landeryou said he thought "way too much about that. I know that's part of what caused me to have a slower start in both games. Took time to settle into the games. That was definitely a mental factor. Shouldn't be but it was."

Gagnon said "today knowing that spot was [possible] added a little pressure but [we] played really good still," so he was "pretty happy" with how they performed under that pressure.

Game one had wild swings of points, as Costa Rica took the early lead at 5-0, but then found themselves down 11-5 as Canada scored eleven unanswered points. However, Costa then scored seven straight to lead 12-11.

At that point Canada held firm, and scored the last four points to win the game. Gagnon hit the game winning shot: a forehand down the line on the right side, as he moved over to cover for Landeryou.

In game two, Costa Rica got up 7-0, but after a Canadian timeout, they lost serve, and the Canadian comeback was on. Canada got up 8-7 before Costa Rica responded. They traded points until it was 10-9 in Canada's favour, and the Canadians went on to close it out.

Perhaps the shot of the match was when the ball came around to Gagnon on the left side, who was jammed by the shot, so he jumped and hit it forwards between his legs, and it rolled out for a winner that made it 14-9. Definitely one for the "You Know You're Going to Win When" department.

Also, in Men's Doubles the World Champions played off against the Pan Am Games Champions, and the latter won, as Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno of Mexico - gold medalists four years ago - defeated Sebastian Franco and Alejandro Herrera of Colombia, 15-2, 15-9. The Mexicans will be the top seeds in the elimination round that begins Wednesday.

In Women's Doubles, Colombians Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez needed a tie-breaker to defeat the upstart Venezuelan team of Mariana Paredes and Mariana Tobon, 15-11, 10-15, 11-6, and win their group. Argentinians Veronique Guillemette and Maria Jose Vargas also needed a tie-breaker to beat Guatemalans Ana Gabriela Martinez and Maria Rene Rodriguez, 15-8, 14-15, 11-3.

The Men's and Women's Doubles racquetball competition continues Tuesday afternoon, and runs until Friday morning (July 24) with the team competition to follow beginning Friday afternoon and concluding Sunday July 26.

For updates during the event - between postings on the website - follow us on Twitter: @racquetballblog.

2015 Pan American Games - Toronto, Canada

Group Stage

Women's Doubles

Group A

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mex) d. 6) Angela Grisar & Carla Muñoz (Chi), 15-3, 15-1
7) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor (Ecu) - BYE

Group B

2) Veronique Guillemette & Maria Jose Vargas (Arg) d. 8) Ana Gabriela Martinez & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Gua), 15-8, 14-15, 11-3
5) Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk (USA) - BYE

Group C

4) Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Col) d. 10) Mariana Paredes & Mariana Tobon (Ven), 15-11, 10-15, 11-6
3) Carola Loma & Natalia Mendez (Bol) d. 9) Michèle Morissette & Christine Richardson (Can), 15-10, 15-11

Men's Doubles

Group A

1) Alvaro Beltran & Javier Moreno (Mex) d. 7) Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Col), 15-2, 15-9
6) Daniel Maggi & Shai Manzuri (Arg) - BYE

Group B

8) Vincent Gagnon & Tim Landeryou (Can) d. 2) Felipe Camacho & Teobaldo Fumero (Crc), 15-12, 15-9
5) Jansen Allen & Jose Rojas (USA) d. 11) Jose Alvarez & Fernando Rios (Ecu), walkover

Group C

9) Roland Keller & Conrado Moscoso (Bol) d. 3) Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Ven), 15-7, 15-9
4) Ramon De Leon & Luis Perez (Dom) d. 10) Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Gua), 15-11, 15-8

Follow the bouncing ball....