Day 1 at 2015 Pan American Games - Singles

The 2015 Pan American Games racquetball competition began Sunday in Toronto, Canada. Day one had the closest seeds playing against each other, so there were some tie-breakers, but few upsets.

One upset was veteran Fernando Rios of Ecuador defeating Carlos Keller of Bolivia, 15-13, 15-13. Keller is the 2nd seed based on Bolivia team performances from previous events, so if Rios wins his last two group stage matches, then he will take the 2nd seeding, which would likely mean not facing Rocky Carson, the top seed and defending Pan Am gold medalist until the final.

In the first match of the day on the showcourt, the home town fans might have been concerned, as Frédérique Lambert of Canada dropped the first game to veteran Angela Grisar of Chile, 15-2. But Lambert was able to get on track and came back to win in three games, 2-15, 15-10, 11-5.

Similarly, Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina dropped the first games to Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, but then came back to win in a tie-breaker, 10-15, 15-9, 11-0. Late in game two and on into the breaker, Vargas heated up with her drive serve to the left side - Muñoz's backhand, and most of the rallying winning shots were winners by Vargas, rather than errors from Muñoz.

Both American Rocky Carson and Mexican Paola Longoria opened their quests for consecutive Pan Am Games gold medals with wins Sunday. Carson defeated Felipe Camacho of Costa Rica, 15-4, 15-4, and Longoria beat Colombian Cristina Amaya, 15-4, 15-4.

The Men's and Women's Singles racquetball competition continues Monday morning, and runs until Friday morning. The team competition begins Friday afternoon and runs to 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 Singles

Group A

1) Paola Longoria (Mex) d. 10) Cristina Amaya (Col), 15-4, 15-4
11) Mariana Paredes (Ven) d. 20) Maria Rene Rodriguez (Gua), 15-14, 15-14

Group B

2) Veronica Sotomayor (Ecu) d. 9) Mariana Tobon (Ven), 15-11, 15-4
19) Jennifer Saunders (Can) d. 12) Carolina Gomez (Col), 15-10, 15-13

Group C

3) Samantha Salas (Mex) d. 8) Michelle Key (USA), 15-3, 15-14
13) Adriana Riveros (Bol) d. 18) Ana Gabriela Martinez (Gua), 6-15, 15-11, 11-5

Group D

7) Maria Jose Vargas (Arg) d. 4) Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecu), 10-15, 15-9, 11-0
17) Frédérique Lambert (Can) d. 14) Angela Grisar (Chi), 2-15, 15-10, 11-5

Group E

6) Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. 5) Veronique Guillemette (Arg), 15-7, 15-9
15) Carola Loma (Bol) d. 16) Carla Munoz (Chi), 6-15, 15-8, 11-6

Men Singles

Group A

1) Rocky Carson (USA) d. 10) Felipe Camacho (Crc), 15-4, 15-4
11) Jose Alvarez (Ecu) d. 20) Cesar Castro (Ven), 15-11, 15-0 - retired

Group B

9) Fernando Rios (Ecu) d. 2) Carlos Keller (Bol), 15-13, 15-13
12) Andres Acuña (Crc) d. 19) Edwin Galicia (Gua), 15-4, 15-11

Group C

3) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. 8) Set Cubillos (Col), 15-9, 13-15, 11-2
13) Luis Perez (Dom) d. 18) Cesar Castillo (Ven), 15-7, 15-9

Group D

7) Daniel De La Rosa (Mex) d. 4) Conrado Moscoso (Bol), 15-8, 15-5
14) Coby Iwaasa (Can) d. 17) Christian Wer (Gua), 15-5, 15-3

Group E

5) Alvaro Beltran (Mex) d. 6) Alejandro Herrera (Col), 15-8, 14-15, 11-1
16) Mike Green (Can) d. 15) Ramon De Leon (Dom), 15-4, 15-7

Follow the bouncing ball....