Waselenchuk wins 2015 IRT Krowning Moment Pro Invitational

Kane Waselenchuk successfully defended his title Saturday at the 2nd Annual Krowning Moment International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pro Invitational in San Marcos, Texas by defeating Rocky Carson, 11-6, 11-3, 11-2. “It was a good match for me,” said Waselenchuk afterwards.

Waselenchuk stormed out of the gate, going up 7-0 in game one before Carson even served. Waselenchuk would get to 10-0 before Carson scored. However, after getting on the board, Carson put together a nice run of points with some good shots and serves.

Carson cut the lead to 10-6, including saving five game points. But prior to the sixth game point opportunity, Waselenchuk took a timeout. When play resumed, Waselenchuk drove serve to the right side that Carson could only get his racquet on, winning the game 11-6.

“My serve was on fire,” Waselenchuk said afterwards. That was evident in game two, as he hit six aces or service winners to comfortably win it 11-3, closing out the game on three consecutive aces against a clearly demoralized Carson.

Game three was over in 22 rallies, as Waselenchuk won it 11-2, hitting two more aces in the process. He also hit winners with two pinch volleys, which might be the most difficult shot in racquetball. One was a forehand and one a backhand.

How does one defeat an overwhelming favourite? One thing is that you can’t have any lapses of concentration. Carson was close with Waselenchuk early in game two, when the score was 5-3 in Waselenchuk’s favour.

At that point, Carson got the serve back, as Waselenchuk made an unforced error by skipping a shot. This was an opportunity for Carson to take advantage and get some points to tie the game, and perhaps go ahead, which could lead to him winning game two and levelling the match at a game apiece.

But Carson skipped a shot - unforced - on the next rally, cheaply giving the serve back to Waselenchuk.

Carson didn’t serve again, as Waselenchuk scored five consecutive points to win game two and put Carson in a hole he wasn’t going to get out of.

The win is Waselenchuk’s third of the season in as many events, and solidifies his place on top of the IRT rankings.

This weekend is the first of five consecutive weekends of IRT action. They’ll be in Atlanta next weekend for the Atlanta IRT Pro/Am. That will be followed by the Red Swaine Shootout in Davison, Michigan, the 25th Annual Garden City Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas and then the St. Louis Racquetball Winter Rollout the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Second Annual Krowning Moment Pro Invitational, October 22-24, 2015
San Marcos, Texas

Final - Saturday

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-6, 11-3, 11-2

Follow the bouncing ball….