Cardona wins 2015 WRT Suncoast Open

Alejandro Cardona solidified his hold on the #1 ranking on the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Sunday by defeating David Horn in the final of the Suncoast Open in Sarasota, Florida, Saturday, 15-12, 15-3. However, Cardona didn’t do the double this time, as he had at the Atlanta Open when he and Christian Longoria won doubles as well.

In the Sarasota doubles final, Cardona and Longoria lost to Jaime Martell and Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-8, 15-11.

Cardona had a 6-2 lead on Horn early lead in the singles final, but Horn took a timeout, and then proceeded to score ten unanswered points to lead 12-6. Horn’s cause was helped by Cardona, as at 8-6, Cardona disagreed with the referee calling one of his shots a skip, and then skipped shots on the next two rallies.

But Cardona got the serve back, and then pounded some drive serves to the left side, Horn’s backhand. Most of his serves before this were going to the right side, Horn’s forehand. Cardona followed those serves up with strong shots, both down the line and pinches to come back and tie the game at 12-12.

Horn called a timeout down 13-12, but when play returned Cardona got game point after rolling a forehand reverse pinch. Horn did get the serve back at 14-12, but he was unable to score, as Cardona got the serve back on the serve return.

Cardona won game one with a forehand down the line.

In game two, Cardona took it up a notch, and rolled to a 15-3 win.

Afterwards Horn said “Cardona played ridiculous, especially in the second game.” Cardona’s a strong server, and Horn said “I didn’t return [serve] well [enough] to win the match.”

The next WRT event will be the Modesto Open in Modesto, California October 30-November 1.

2015 WRT Suncoast Open
Sarasota, Florida

Men’s Singles - Final

1) Alejandro Cardona d. 3) David Horn, 15-12, 15-3

Men’s Doubles - Final

2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 1) Alejandro Cardona & Christian Longoria, 15-8, 15-11

Men’s Doubles - Semi-final

1) Alejandro Cardona & Christian Longoria d. 4) Gerardo Guevara & Rafael Filippini, 15-6, 15-10
2) Jaime Martell & Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 3) Gerardo Franco & Sebastian Franco, 15-10, 15-8

Follow the bouncing ball….