Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) won both singles and doubles at the 2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am in Cincinnati, Ohio. Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich in the singles final, 11-3, 11-8, 11-4, and teamed up with Samantha Salas to win doubles by beating Michelle Key and Frédérique Lambert, 15-3, 15-3.
Rajsich was ahead in the second game against Longoria, with leads of 5-2 and 8-5. But Longoria came back and tied it at 8-8. She took the lead with an ace drive serve to the left side - Rajsich’s backhand, and then got to game point at 10-8 with a forehand reverse pinch shot.
Rajsich called a timeout, and got the serve back on the next rally, when Longoria uncharacteristically skipped a ceiling ball off of a ceiling ball by Rajsich. Most unusual for Longoria, who often begins warming up for matches by hitting ceiling balls.
However, Rajsich couldn’t get any points herself. She did fight off two game points, but on her second time at 8-10, Rajsich hit an overhead shot that seemed unnecessary, and was a big skip. On the next rally, Longoria drove the ball to the left, and it took a big bounce off the back wall, which should be a good opportunity for a winner, but Rajsich took the ball high and hit it downward resulting in a skip. That gave the game to Longoria at 11-8.
Longoria took a 6-0 lead in game three, and it looked like that was that. But Rajsich scored four straight points to cut the lead to two at 6-4. However, a Rajsich forehand skip gave the serve back to Longoria, who then served it out from there, winning it with a drive serve to the right side that Rajsich couldn’t return.
The win is Longoria’s 6th of the season. Rajsich has finished runner up three times, with Maria Jose Vargas runner up the other three times.
In the doubles final, game one was not close, but Key and Lambert started better in game two, and had a slight advantage at 3-2. At that point, Longoria hit a ball on the left side that Key tried to play, but was blocked by Longoria, who was trying to get out of the way. There wasn’t much contact, but Longoria, who is several inches shorter than Key, was clearly in discomfort as they separated.
Indeed, Longoria bent over, and then went down on the floor and seemed to be stretching out her right leg. She took a few minutes of injury time, but play did resume. When it resumed the previous rally was ruled a hinder, although it looked like it could have been an avoidable, which perhaps would have added insult to injury.
From there Key and Lambert failed to score another point. They gave away several as Key tried unsuccessfully to short hop Salas’s Z serves in the middle of the court. That’s not a formula for success against anybody, but especially not against the reigning three time World Champions. You can’t give Longoria and Salas free points.
The LPRT’s next event is the 2016 Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, February 19-21. Reminder that you can watch LPRT matches on the LPRT Livestream channel.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Final - Singles
1) Paola Longoria d. 3) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-8, 11-4
Final - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert, 15-3, 15-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Longoria a double finalist at LPRT Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) will have a chance to continue her undefeated streak Sunday, when she’ll play LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich in the final of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am in Cincinnati, Ohio. But there was some doubt as to whether Longoria would reach the final, as LPRT #5 Frédérique Lambert put up a stiff challenge to Longoria in the semi-finals. But Longoria prevailed, 10-12, 11-1, 12-10, 11-2.
Rajsich also played four games in her semi-final in defeating Adriana Riveros, 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4. Riveros was a surprise semi-finalist, as she was the 18th seed. But she got a win over 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas due to illness in the Round of 16, and then beat 10th seed Jessica Parrilla in the quarterfinals, 11-9, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, to reach the semi-finals for the first time in her career.
Longoria and Lambert were toe to toe. Longoria got a game point first in game one at 10-9. But Lambert hit a winner down the line to get the serve back, and scored three straight points to take the first game. Lambert’s game winner was an overhead forehand pinch shot that rolled out.
The second was all Longoria, as Lambert’s only point in game two didn’t come until Longoria had seven. Thus, you might have thought Longoria was just going to cruise through the match after that.
But not so, as Lambert took and early lead in game three at 3-1. Longoria came back and tied it at 3-3 and 4-4, only to see Lambert go up again at 7-4. Longoria called a timeout, and just prior to that she kicked the ball in frustration.
When play resumed, Lambert got two points to lead by five at 9-4. But she couldn’t get off nine, until Longoria had tied it at 9-9. Five rallies and a second Longoria timeout happened before Lambert got her 10th point at 10-9.
It was Longoria’s turn to hit a down the line winner to stave off game point, and then score three unanswered points to win game three 12-10. Longoria won the game with another backhand down the line pass.
At that point, you may have thought the writing was on the wall, and early in game four Longoria chiseled it in stone, as she went up 10-0 before Lambert got on the board.
Of note, Longoria went away from her standard drive serves, especially late in game three when she hit Z serves to Lambert’s backhand for the last few rallies of the game.
Getting to 10 was not predictive of success in Lambert’s quarterfinal match against LPRT #4 Samantha Salas either, as in each of the first three games of that match the player who got to 10 first lost 12-10. Lambert won games one and three with Salas winning game two. But Lambert ended that streak of losing after getting to 10 first in game four, although that game was also a two point difference with Lambert winning 11-9.
Longoria and Lambert will face off again Cincinnati, as they will meet in the doubles final. Longoria and Salas beat Susana Acosta and Jessica Maldonado, 15-2, 15-6, in one semi-final, while Lambert and Michelle Key defeated Rajsich and Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-3. The first game of that latter match was another where one team got to game point, but couldn’t finish for the longest time, as Lambert and Key were up 14-7 only to have Rajsich and Lotts come back and tie it at 14-14. Lambert, who skipped several shots leading up to the tie, then ended the game with a forehand kill shot.
The finals start at 11 AM eastern time Sunday - first singles and then doubles, and you can watch them live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Quarterfinals - Singles
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Susana Acosta, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1
5) Frédérique Lambert d. 4) Samantha Salas, 12-10, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 6) Sofia Rascon, 11-4, 11-1, 11-5
18) Adriana Riveros d. 10) Jessica Parrilla, 11-9, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7
Semi-finals - Singles
1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Frédérique Lambert, 10-12, 11-1, 12-10, 11-2
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 18) Adriana Riveros, 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4
Final - Singles
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich
Semi-finals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado, 15-2, 15-6
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-14, 15-3
Final - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rajsich also played four games in her semi-final in defeating Adriana Riveros, 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4. Riveros was a surprise semi-finalist, as she was the 18th seed. But she got a win over 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas due to illness in the Round of 16, and then beat 10th seed Jessica Parrilla in the quarterfinals, 11-9, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, to reach the semi-finals for the first time in her career.
Longoria and Lambert were toe to toe. Longoria got a game point first in game one at 10-9. But Lambert hit a winner down the line to get the serve back, and scored three straight points to take the first game. Lambert’s game winner was an overhead forehand pinch shot that rolled out.
The second was all Longoria, as Lambert’s only point in game two didn’t come until Longoria had seven. Thus, you might have thought Longoria was just going to cruise through the match after that.
But not so, as Lambert took and early lead in game three at 3-1. Longoria came back and tied it at 3-3 and 4-4, only to see Lambert go up again at 7-4. Longoria called a timeout, and just prior to that she kicked the ball in frustration.
When play resumed, Lambert got two points to lead by five at 9-4. But she couldn’t get off nine, until Longoria had tied it at 9-9. Five rallies and a second Longoria timeout happened before Lambert got her 10th point at 10-9.
It was Longoria’s turn to hit a down the line winner to stave off game point, and then score three unanswered points to win game three 12-10. Longoria won the game with another backhand down the line pass.
At that point, you may have thought the writing was on the wall, and early in game four Longoria chiseled it in stone, as she went up 10-0 before Lambert got on the board.
Of note, Longoria went away from her standard drive serves, especially late in game three when she hit Z serves to Lambert’s backhand for the last few rallies of the game.
Getting to 10 was not predictive of success in Lambert’s quarterfinal match against LPRT #4 Samantha Salas either, as in each of the first three games of that match the player who got to 10 first lost 12-10. Lambert won games one and three with Salas winning game two. But Lambert ended that streak of losing after getting to 10 first in game four, although that game was also a two point difference with Lambert winning 11-9.
Longoria and Lambert will face off again Cincinnati, as they will meet in the doubles final. Longoria and Salas beat Susana Acosta and Jessica Maldonado, 15-2, 15-6, in one semi-final, while Lambert and Michelle Key defeated Rajsich and Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-3. The first game of that latter match was another where one team got to game point, but couldn’t finish for the longest time, as Lambert and Key were up 14-7 only to have Rajsich and Lotts come back and tie it at 14-14. Lambert, who skipped several shots leading up to the tie, then ended the game with a forehand kill shot.
The finals start at 11 AM eastern time Sunday - first singles and then doubles, and you can watch them live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Quarterfinals - Singles
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Susana Acosta, 11-1, 11-4, 11-1
5) Frédérique Lambert d. 4) Samantha Salas, 12-10, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 6) Sofia Rascon, 11-4, 11-1, 11-5
18) Adriana Riveros d. 10) Jessica Parrilla, 11-9, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7
Semi-finals - Singles
1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Frédérique Lambert, 10-12, 11-1, 12-10, 11-2
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 18) Adriana Riveros, 12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4
Final - Singles
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich
Semi-finals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado, 15-2, 15-6
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-14, 15-3
Final - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 29, 2016
2016 LPRT Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am - Round of 16
There will be one surprise semi-finalist in Cincinnati Saturday at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, as Adriana Riveros and Jessica Parrilla got big upsets in their respective Round of 16 matches, and are set to square off in the quarterfinals Saturday morning with the winner advancing to the semi-finals Saturday afternoon.
Riveros had the bigger upset, but she did less work for it than Parrilla, as Riveros got past 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas after Vargas defaulted their match due to illness. Parrilla on the other hand went the distance with 7th seed Michelle Key pulling out a win after five games, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4.
There were no other upsets in the 16s, including straight game victories for #1 Paola Longoria and #4 Samantha Salas. Longoria beat 17th seed Gabriela Martinez, 11-1, 11-2, 11-6, and Salas defeated Lucia Gonzalez, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6.
Longoria will play 8th seed Susana Acosta in the quarterfinals, as Acosta beat Da’monique Davis, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9, and Salas meets Frédérique Lambert, who was a winner over Sharon Jackson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.
The quarterfinals begin at 11 AM Saturday, and you can watch them live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel. The semi-finals will begin at 5 PM Saturday and the final on Sunday at 11 AM. Doubles semis are at 7 PM Saturday and the final at noon on Sunday. All times eastern.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 16 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria d. 17) Gabriela Martinez, 11-1, 11-2, 11-6
8) Susana Acosta d. 9) Da’monique Davis, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9
5) Frédérique Lambert d. 21) Sharon Jackson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5
4) Samantha Salas d. 20) Lucia Gonzalez, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 14) Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9
6) Sofia Rascon d. 11) Cheryl Gudinas, injury forfeit
10) Jessica Parrilla d. 7) Michelle Key, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4
18) Adriana Riveros d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, forfeit illness
Quarterfinals - Singles
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Susana Acosta
4) Samantha Salas v. 5) Frédérique Lambert
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Sofia Rascon
10) Jessica Parrilla v. 18) Adriana Riveros
Quarterfinals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley, 15-9, 15-3
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado d. 5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla, 15-8, 15-11
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon, 15-4, 15-5
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson, 15-8, 15-9
Semi-finals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich
Follow the bouncing ball….
Riveros had the bigger upset, but she did less work for it than Parrilla, as Riveros got past 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas after Vargas defaulted their match due to illness. Parrilla on the other hand went the distance with 7th seed Michelle Key pulling out a win after five games, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4.
There were no other upsets in the 16s, including straight game victories for #1 Paola Longoria and #4 Samantha Salas. Longoria beat 17th seed Gabriela Martinez, 11-1, 11-2, 11-6, and Salas defeated Lucia Gonzalez, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6.
Longoria will play 8th seed Susana Acosta in the quarterfinals, as Acosta beat Da’monique Davis, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9, and Salas meets Frédérique Lambert, who was a winner over Sharon Jackson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.
The quarterfinals begin at 11 AM Saturday, and you can watch them live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel. The semi-finals will begin at 5 PM Saturday and the final on Sunday at 11 AM. Doubles semis are at 7 PM Saturday and the final at noon on Sunday. All times eastern.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 16 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria d. 17) Gabriela Martinez, 11-1, 11-2, 11-6
8) Susana Acosta d. 9) Da’monique Davis, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9
5) Frédérique Lambert d. 21) Sharon Jackson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5
4) Samantha Salas d. 20) Lucia Gonzalez, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 14) Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9
6) Sofia Rascon d. 11) Cheryl Gudinas, injury forfeit
10) Jessica Parrilla d. 7) Michelle Key, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4
18) Adriana Riveros d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, forfeit illness
Quarterfinals - Singles
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Susana Acosta
4) Samantha Salas v. 5) Frédérique Lambert
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Sofia Rascon
10) Jessica Parrilla v. 18) Adriana Riveros
Quarterfinals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley, 15-9, 15-3
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado d. 5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla, 15-8, 15-11
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon, 15-4, 15-5
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson, 15-8, 15-9
Semi-finals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich
Follow the bouncing ball….
Several upsets in early play at 2016 LPRT Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am
Upsets were the order of the day in the first matches at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sharon Jackson, the 21st seed, had the biggest upset, as she defeated Sheryl Lotts, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9. Jackson will play 5th seed Frédérique Lambert in the Round of 16 this afternoon.
Also, 20th seed Lucia Gonzalez knocked off 13th seed Adrienne Haynes in five games, 11-7, 5-11, 13-15, 11-5, 11-2. Gonzalez faces 4th seed Samantha Salas in the 16s. The other upset winners were 18th seed Adriana Riveros beating 15th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4, and 17th seed Gabriela Martinez over 16th seed Masiel Rivera, 1-11, 11-71, 11-6, 11-5.
In the Round of 16, Riveros will face 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas, and Martinez is up against LPRT #1 Paola Longoria.
There were two matches in the first round of doubles, and both the lower seeded teams won. In one, 10th seeds Cheryl Gudinas and Jackson narrowly defeated 7th seeds Martinez and Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 15-14, 10-15, 11-10, and will face 2nd seeds Michelle Key and Lambert in the quarterfinals Friday night.
The other also went to a tie-breaker with 9th seeds Maria Renee Rodriguez and Sofia Soley beating 8th seeds Da’monique Davis and Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-8, 11-1. Rodriguez and Soley will face tops seeds - and three time reigning World Champions, Longoria and Salas in the quarters.
You can watch matches live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel. The webcast will begin with the singles Round of 16 Friday at 4 PM. The quarterfinals begin at 11 AM Saturday with the semi-finals at 5 PM Saturday and the final on Sunday at 11 AM. Doubles matches will also be shown beginning at 8 PM Friday with the quarters; the semis are at 7 PM Saturday and final at noon on Sunday. All times eastern.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
17) Gabriela Martinez d. 16) Masiel Rivera, 1-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5
9) Da’monique Davis - BYE
8) Susana Acosta - BYE
5) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
21) Sharon Jackson d. 12) Sheryl Lotts, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9
20) Lucia Gonzalez d. 13) Adrienne Haynes, 11-7, 5-11, 13-15, 11-5, 11-2
4) Samantha Salas - BYE
3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
14) Carla Muñoz d. 19) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 14-12, 11-4, 11-7
11) Cheryl Gudinas d. 22) Jessica Maldonado, 15-13, 11-2, 11-7
6) Sofia Rascon - BYE
7) Michelle Key - BYE
10) Jessica Parrilla d. 23) Sofia Soley, 11-3, 11-6, 11-9
18) Adriana Riveros d. 15) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Round of 16 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria v. 17) Gabriela Martinez
8) Susana Acosta v. 9) Da’monique Davis
5) Frédérique Lambert v. 21) Sharon Jackson
4) Samantha Salas v. 20) Lucia Gonzalez
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 14) Carla Muñoz
6) Sofia Rascon v. 11) Cheryl Gudinas
7) Michelle Key v. 10) Jessica Parrilla
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 18) Adriana Riveros
Round of 16 - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley d. 8) Da’monique Davis & Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-8, 11-1
5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon - BYE
10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson d. 7) Gabriela Martinez & Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 15-14, 10-15, 11-10
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Quarterfinals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado v. 5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson
Follow the bouncing ball….
Also, 20th seed Lucia Gonzalez knocked off 13th seed Adrienne Haynes in five games, 11-7, 5-11, 13-15, 11-5, 11-2. Gonzalez faces 4th seed Samantha Salas in the 16s. The other upset winners were 18th seed Adriana Riveros beating 15th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4, and 17th seed Gabriela Martinez over 16th seed Masiel Rivera, 1-11, 11-71, 11-6, 11-5.
In the Round of 16, Riveros will face 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas, and Martinez is up against LPRT #1 Paola Longoria.
There were two matches in the first round of doubles, and both the lower seeded teams won. In one, 10th seeds Cheryl Gudinas and Jackson narrowly defeated 7th seeds Martinez and Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 15-14, 10-15, 11-10, and will face 2nd seeds Michelle Key and Lambert in the quarterfinals Friday night.
The other also went to a tie-breaker with 9th seeds Maria Renee Rodriguez and Sofia Soley beating 8th seeds Da’monique Davis and Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-8, 11-1. Rodriguez and Soley will face tops seeds - and three time reigning World Champions, Longoria and Salas in the quarters.
You can watch matches live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel. The webcast will begin with the singles Round of 16 Friday at 4 PM. The quarterfinals begin at 11 AM Saturday with the semi-finals at 5 PM Saturday and the final on Sunday at 11 AM. Doubles matches will also be shown beginning at 8 PM Friday with the quarters; the semis are at 7 PM Saturday and final at noon on Sunday. All times eastern.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
17) Gabriela Martinez d. 16) Masiel Rivera, 1-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5
9) Da’monique Davis - BYE
8) Susana Acosta - BYE
5) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
21) Sharon Jackson d. 12) Sheryl Lotts, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9
20) Lucia Gonzalez d. 13) Adrienne Haynes, 11-7, 5-11, 13-15, 11-5, 11-2
4) Samantha Salas - BYE
3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
14) Carla Muñoz d. 19) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 14-12, 11-4, 11-7
11) Cheryl Gudinas d. 22) Jessica Maldonado, 15-13, 11-2, 11-7
6) Sofia Rascon - BYE
7) Michelle Key - BYE
10) Jessica Parrilla d. 23) Sofia Soley, 11-3, 11-6, 11-9
18) Adriana Riveros d. 15) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Round of 16 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria v. 17) Gabriela Martinez
8) Susana Acosta v. 9) Da’monique Davis
5) Frédérique Lambert v. 21) Sharon Jackson
4) Samantha Salas v. 20) Lucia Gonzalez
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 14) Carla Muñoz
6) Sofia Rascon v. 11) Cheryl Gudinas
7) Michelle Key v. 10) Jessica Parrilla
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 18) Adriana Riveros
Round of 16 - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley d. 8) Da’monique Davis & Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-8, 11-1
5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon - BYE
10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson d. 7) Gabriela Martinez & Andrea Martinez Gonzalez, 15-14, 10-15, 11-10
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Quarterfinals - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado v. 5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
2016 LPRT Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am Preview
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) has its first event of 2016 this weekend with the Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am in Cincinnati, Ohio. LPRT #1 Paola Longoria will be looking to win her 10th consecutive event. She has 60 wins in her career.
Longoria’s 60 wins are twice as many as LPRT #2 Maria Jose Vargas (with 2), LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich (27) and LPRT #4 Samantha Salas (1) combined. But Longoria doesn’t have more wins than the rest of the field in Cincinnati, as Cheryl Gudinas is playing this weekend for the first time this season, and Gudinas has won 39 tournaments in her pro career.
Thus, Longoria leads the field in Cincinnati with Vargas, Rajsich, Salas and IRT #5 Frédérique Lambert having a puncher’s chance to win the tournament.
Some interesting matches early could be Sheryl Lotts versus Sharon Jackson with the winner to play Lambert, and Jessica Parrilla versus Sofia Soley with the winner facing Michelle Key.
In doubles, Longoria and Salas are the top seeds with Key and Lambert seeded 2nd, Lotts and Rajsich 3rd and Susana Acosta and Jessica Maldonado the 4th seeds.
You can watch matches live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel. The webcast will begin with the singles Round of 16 Friday at 4 PM. The quarterfinals begin at 11 AM Saturday with the semi-finals at 5 PM Saturday and the final on Sunday at 11 AM. Doubles matches will also be shown beginning at 8 PM Friday with the quarters; the semis are at 7 PM Saturday and final at noon on Sunday. All times eastern.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Masiel Rivera v. 17) Gabriela Martinez
9) Da’monique Davis - BYE
8) Susana Acosta - BYE
5) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
12) Sheryl Lotts v. 21) Sharon Jackson
13) Adrienne Haynes v. 20) Lucia Gonzalez
4) Samantha Salas - BYE
3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
14) Carla Muñoz v. 19) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez
11) Cheryl Gudinas v. 22) Jessica Maldonado
6) Sofia Rascon - BYE
7) Michelle Key - BYE
10) Jessica Parrilla v. 23) Sofia Soley
15) Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 18) Adriana Riveros
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Round of 16 - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Da’monique Davis & Adrienne Haynes v. 9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley
5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon - BYE
7) Gabriela Martinez & Andrea Martinez Gonzalez v. 10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria’s 60 wins are twice as many as LPRT #2 Maria Jose Vargas (with 2), LPRT #3 Rhonda Rajsich (27) and LPRT #4 Samantha Salas (1) combined. But Longoria doesn’t have more wins than the rest of the field in Cincinnati, as Cheryl Gudinas is playing this weekend for the first time this season, and Gudinas has won 39 tournaments in her pro career.
Thus, Longoria leads the field in Cincinnati with Vargas, Rajsich, Salas and IRT #5 Frédérique Lambert having a puncher’s chance to win the tournament.
Some interesting matches early could be Sheryl Lotts versus Sharon Jackson with the winner to play Lambert, and Jessica Parrilla versus Sofia Soley with the winner facing Michelle Key.
In doubles, Longoria and Salas are the top seeds with Key and Lambert seeded 2nd, Lotts and Rajsich 3rd and Susana Acosta and Jessica Maldonado the 4th seeds.
You can watch matches live from Cincinnati via the LPRT Livestream channel. The webcast will begin with the singles Round of 16 Friday at 4 PM. The quarterfinals begin at 11 AM Saturday with the semi-finals at 5 PM Saturday and the final on Sunday at 11 AM. Doubles matches will also be shown beginning at 8 PM Friday with the quarters; the semis are at 7 PM Saturday and final at noon on Sunday. All times eastern.
2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am, January 29-31
Cincinnati, Ohio
Round of 32 - Singles
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Masiel Rivera v. 17) Gabriela Martinez
9) Da’monique Davis - BYE
8) Susana Acosta - BYE
5) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
12) Sheryl Lotts v. 21) Sharon Jackson
13) Adrienne Haynes v. 20) Lucia Gonzalez
4) Samantha Salas - BYE
3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
14) Carla Muñoz v. 19) Andrea Martinez Gonzalez
11) Cheryl Gudinas v. 22) Jessica Maldonado
6) Sofia Rascon - BYE
7) Michelle Key - BYE
10) Jessica Parrilla v. 23) Sofia Soley
15) Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 18) Adriana Riveros
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Round of 16 - Doubles
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Da’monique Davis & Adrienne Haynes v. 9) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley
5) Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
3) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon - BYE
7) Gabriela Martinez & Andrea Martinez Gonzalez v. 10) Cheryl Gudinas & Sharon Jackson
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 25, 2016
Diaz, Ganim & Herrera, Landeryou & Majxner win on the weekend
Jose Diaz won Men’s Open at the 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on the weekend. He needed three tie-breakers to do it though. In the final, Diaz beat Mario Mercado, 15-9, 14-15, 11-5, but his closest match was in the semi-finals, as Diaz squeaked by Jake Bredenbeck by the narrowest of margins, 15-14, 14-15, 11-10. That was a replay of the last year’s Pan American Championships gold medal match, which Diaz also won. In Sioux Falls, Diaz also went breaker with Robert Collins, winning 15-13, 1-15, 11-2.
Mercado also went breaker in his semi-final, as he defeated Sebastian Franco, 15-1, 7-15, 11-4.
The Men’s Open Doubles title went to Alejandro Herrera and Doug Ganim, who beat Tanner Gross and Lee Meinerz in the final, 15-13, 15-7. Herrera and Ganim beat Jordan Barth and Justus Benson in one semi-final, 9-15, 15-5, 11-8, with Gross and Meinerz defeating Brian Pearson and Dan Salamone in the other, 15-11, 15-6.
Also of note, the Men’s 30+ Doubles title went to Tim Landeryou and Matthew Majxner who narrowly beat Ganim and Jason Mannino, 15-14, 15-14. In the semis, Landeryou and Majxner beat Travis Mettenbrink and Troy Vanbemmelen, 15-7, 15-11, while Ganim and Mannino defeated Herrera and Jeremy Best, 15-12, 15-14.
This week’s big event is the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour’s (LPRT’s) 2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro Am in Cincinnati, Ohio, where 24 players entered including the top six LPRT players with #1 Paola Longoria looking to add another title to her list of victories.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Men’s Open Singles - Final
Jose Diaz d. Mario Mercado, 15-9, 14-15, 11-5
Semi-Finals
Jose Diaz d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-14, 14-15, 11-10
Mario Mercado d. Sebastian Franco, 15-1, 7-15, 11-4
Quarterfinals
Jake Bredenbeck d. Jordan Barth, 15-6, 15-9
Jose Diaz d. Robert Collins, 15-13, 1-15, 11-2
Mario Mercado d. Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-8
Sebastian Franco d. Tanner Gross, 10-15, 15-6, 11-5
Men’s Open Doubles - Final
Alejandro Herrera & Doug Ganim d. Tanner Gross & Lee Meinerz, 15-13, 15-7
Semi-finals
Alejandro Herrera & Doug Ganim d. Jordan Barth & Justus Benson, 9-15, 15-5, 11-8
Tanner Gross & Lee Meinerz d. Brian Pearson & Dan Salamone, 15-11, 15-6
Men’s 30+ Doubles - Final
Tim Landeryou & Matthew Majxner d. Doug Ganim & Jason Mannino, 15-14, 15-14
Semi-finals
Tim Landeryou & Matthew Majxner d. Travis Mettenbrink & Troy Vanbemmelen, 15-7, 15-11
Doug Ganim & Jason Mannino d. Alejandro Herrera & Jeremy Best, 15-12, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Mercado also went breaker in his semi-final, as he defeated Sebastian Franco, 15-1, 7-15, 11-4.
The Men’s Open Doubles title went to Alejandro Herrera and Doug Ganim, who beat Tanner Gross and Lee Meinerz in the final, 15-13, 15-7. Herrera and Ganim beat Jordan Barth and Justus Benson in one semi-final, 9-15, 15-5, 11-8, with Gross and Meinerz defeating Brian Pearson and Dan Salamone in the other, 15-11, 15-6.
Also of note, the Men’s 30+ Doubles title went to Tim Landeryou and Matthew Majxner who narrowly beat Ganim and Jason Mannino, 15-14, 15-14. In the semis, Landeryou and Majxner beat Travis Mettenbrink and Troy Vanbemmelen, 15-7, 15-11, while Ganim and Mannino defeated Herrera and Jeremy Best, 15-12, 15-14.
This week’s big event is the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour’s (LPRT’s) 2016 Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro Am in Cincinnati, Ohio, where 24 players entered including the top six LPRT players with #1 Paola Longoria looking to add another title to her list of victories.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Men’s Open Singles - Final
Jose Diaz d. Mario Mercado, 15-9, 14-15, 11-5
Semi-Finals
Jose Diaz d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-14, 14-15, 11-10
Mario Mercado d. Sebastian Franco, 15-1, 7-15, 11-4
Quarterfinals
Jake Bredenbeck d. Jordan Barth, 15-6, 15-9
Jose Diaz d. Robert Collins, 15-13, 1-15, 11-2
Mario Mercado d. Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-8
Sebastian Franco d. Tanner Gross, 10-15, 15-6, 11-5
Men’s Open Doubles - Final
Alejandro Herrera & Doug Ganim d. Tanner Gross & Lee Meinerz, 15-13, 15-7
Semi-finals
Alejandro Herrera & Doug Ganim d. Jordan Barth & Justus Benson, 9-15, 15-5, 11-8
Tanner Gross & Lee Meinerz d. Brian Pearson & Dan Salamone, 15-11, 15-6
Men’s 30+ Doubles - Final
Tim Landeryou & Matthew Majxner d. Doug Ganim & Jason Mannino, 15-14, 15-14
Semi-finals
Tim Landeryou & Matthew Majxner d. Travis Mettenbrink & Troy Vanbemmelen, 15-7, 15-11
Doug Ganim & Jason Mannino d. Alejandro Herrera & Jeremy Best, 15-12, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Waselenchuk, Carson & Beltran winners at 38th IRT Lewis Pro-Am
Kane Waselenchuk won for a seventh time this season on Sunday, as he defeated Jose Rojas, 12-10, 11-1, 11-6, to capture the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
But in game one, it seemed that Rojas would carry the day, as he came out with the same great form he showed in beating Rocky Carson in the semi-finals on Saturday, and took a 6-1 lead on Waselenchuk. Rojas extended that lead to 10-4, and looked to be on the verge of capturing game one
But Waselenchuk seemed to sense that a change was needed, and switched to lob serves, which seemed to get Rojas out of the zone that he was in, as skipped some serve returns trying to make aggressive returns. Indeed, the last three points of the game were skips by Rojas.
Game two was all Waselenchuk, as Rojas had difficulty even getting to hit another shot after Waselenchuk returned his serves. In game two, Rojas was not hitting the ball as well as he had early in game one, and many of his shots seemed to go right to Waselenchuk, including the game winner, when Rojas drove a ball cross court right to where Waselenchuk was standing, which Waselenchuk just hit a touch shot for a winner.
In game three, Rojas got back to what had made him successful in the semi-finals and got him the lead in game one, as he took a 4-0 lead. But Waselenchuk came back and took the lead 7-4. Rojas kept it close, and got within two at 7-5 and 8-6, but Waselenchuk maintained the lead, and won it 11-6 with a backhand pinch shot.
Rojas played well this weekend, and he did pressure Waselenchuk, who rose to the challenge. But if Rojas’s form is a result of new techniques and training, rather than merely some fortunate play, then he could rise to be #2 by season’s end.
However, Waselenchuk is still the clear #1 IRT player, and speculation on who might be the next #1 needs to look several years into the future.
In the IRT Doubles division, #1 seeds Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran defeated #2 seeds Felipe Camacho and Daniel De La Rosa, 15-7, 15-3. The match was somewhat closer than the scores suggest. They were tied at 6-6 in game one before Carson and Beltran went on a 9-1 run.
Early in that run, Carson and Camacho did a bit of shoving. They seemed to exchange some words early in the game, when Camacho thought a ball skipped and Carson disagreed. Then at 9-7, a ball came off the left wall and as Carson went to set up for it, Camacho seemed to get in the way of Carson’s racquet on the set up. Carson held up, likely looking to get an avoidable call. Camacho didn’t think it was an avoidable, or perhaps even a hinder, and in expressing that went toe to toe with Carson, who ended up stepping on Camacho’s foot, as they shoved each other.
De La Rosa and Beltran, as well as the referee, got between Carson and Camacho, and nothing more came of the incident, as both were warned by the referee that that behavior wasn’t going to be tolerated.
Beltran scored the game winner after Carson hit a Z serve to Camacho, who returned it cross court, where Beltran calmly hit a forehand pinch shot flat into the right corner.
Although game two was 15-3, ended by another Beltran pinch shot, it took a long time to get going. After 27 rallies, the score was still only 4-1 for Carson and Beltran. But then they went on a seven point run, making the score 11-1, and the writing was on the wall.
De La Rosa and Camacho were playing together for the first time, we believe, and it was an interesting pairing. Both are right handers, and usually in such a team, the stronger player would go on the left side, so that he could take balls in the center with his forehand. However, Camacho usually plays right side doubles in international competitions, including at the 2015 Pan American Championships, when he and Teobalo Fumero were runners up to Beltran and Javier Moreno.
Thus, for most of the match Camacho was on the left side - the side Carson was on, which led to some of their altercation - and De La Rosa was on the right. They did try to change it up some, and tried to double serve both Carson and Beltran at times, but that was all because they were desperate to score points.
Camacho and De La Rosa beat some good teams to reach the final in Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado in the quarterfinals and the Rojas brothers in the semi-finals, but they weren’t able to beat the top seeds.
The IRT will be back in action in March, when the KMPI International takes place in Edinburg, Texas March 3-6.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 6) Jose Rojas, 12-10, 11-1, 11-6
IRT Doubles - Final
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson d. 2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa, 15-7, 15-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
But in game one, it seemed that Rojas would carry the day, as he came out with the same great form he showed in beating Rocky Carson in the semi-finals on Saturday, and took a 6-1 lead on Waselenchuk. Rojas extended that lead to 10-4, and looked to be on the verge of capturing game one
But Waselenchuk seemed to sense that a change was needed, and switched to lob serves, which seemed to get Rojas out of the zone that he was in, as skipped some serve returns trying to make aggressive returns. Indeed, the last three points of the game were skips by Rojas.
Game two was all Waselenchuk, as Rojas had difficulty even getting to hit another shot after Waselenchuk returned his serves. In game two, Rojas was not hitting the ball as well as he had early in game one, and many of his shots seemed to go right to Waselenchuk, including the game winner, when Rojas drove a ball cross court right to where Waselenchuk was standing, which Waselenchuk just hit a touch shot for a winner.
In game three, Rojas got back to what had made him successful in the semi-finals and got him the lead in game one, as he took a 4-0 lead. But Waselenchuk came back and took the lead 7-4. Rojas kept it close, and got within two at 7-5 and 8-6, but Waselenchuk maintained the lead, and won it 11-6 with a backhand pinch shot.
Rojas played well this weekend, and he did pressure Waselenchuk, who rose to the challenge. But if Rojas’s form is a result of new techniques and training, rather than merely some fortunate play, then he could rise to be #2 by season’s end.
However, Waselenchuk is still the clear #1 IRT player, and speculation on who might be the next #1 needs to look several years into the future.
In the IRT Doubles division, #1 seeds Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran defeated #2 seeds Felipe Camacho and Daniel De La Rosa, 15-7, 15-3. The match was somewhat closer than the scores suggest. They were tied at 6-6 in game one before Carson and Beltran went on a 9-1 run.
Early in that run, Carson and Camacho did a bit of shoving. They seemed to exchange some words early in the game, when Camacho thought a ball skipped and Carson disagreed. Then at 9-7, a ball came off the left wall and as Carson went to set up for it, Camacho seemed to get in the way of Carson’s racquet on the set up. Carson held up, likely looking to get an avoidable call. Camacho didn’t think it was an avoidable, or perhaps even a hinder, and in expressing that went toe to toe with Carson, who ended up stepping on Camacho’s foot, as they shoved each other.
De La Rosa and Beltran, as well as the referee, got between Carson and Camacho, and nothing more came of the incident, as both were warned by the referee that that behavior wasn’t going to be tolerated.
Beltran scored the game winner after Carson hit a Z serve to Camacho, who returned it cross court, where Beltran calmly hit a forehand pinch shot flat into the right corner.
Although game two was 15-3, ended by another Beltran pinch shot, it took a long time to get going. After 27 rallies, the score was still only 4-1 for Carson and Beltran. But then they went on a seven point run, making the score 11-1, and the writing was on the wall.
De La Rosa and Camacho were playing together for the first time, we believe, and it was an interesting pairing. Both are right handers, and usually in such a team, the stronger player would go on the left side, so that he could take balls in the center with his forehand. However, Camacho usually plays right side doubles in international competitions, including at the 2015 Pan American Championships, when he and Teobalo Fumero were runners up to Beltran and Javier Moreno.
Thus, for most of the match Camacho was on the left side - the side Carson was on, which led to some of their altercation - and De La Rosa was on the right. They did try to change it up some, and tried to double serve both Carson and Beltran at times, but that was all because they were desperate to score points.
Camacho and De La Rosa beat some good teams to reach the final in Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado in the quarterfinals and the Rojas brothers in the semi-finals, but they weren’t able to beat the top seeds.
The IRT will be back in action in March, when the KMPI International takes place in Edinburg, Texas March 3-6.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 6) Jose Rojas, 12-10, 11-1, 11-6
IRT Doubles - Final
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson d. 2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa, 15-7, 15-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Waselenchuk & Rojas to battle for 38th Lewis IRT Pro-Am crown
Jose Rojas will play his second final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season Sunday, as he defeated IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the semi-finals of the 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Saturday, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9. He’ll be facing IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the final, as Waselenchuk won the other semi against Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-9, 11-2. Sunday’s final will be Waselenchuk’s 7th this season, and he’s won the previous six.
Waselenchuk and Rojas played last week in Syosset, New York, where Waselenchuk won in three straight games. But Rojas was excellent in his semi-final today, and if he can play like that Sunday, he’ll have a chance.
Saturday, Rojas came out cruising, as he took a 8-0 lead in game one, winning it comfortably at 11-1. Game two was a similar story, as Rojas led 8-1. Carson got a few points, but then Rojas took it to game point at 10-4. Rojas did need four game points to finish game two, but did it in style with a great forehand pinch shot that followed up a very good drive serve to the left side - Carson’s backhand.
Game three started slowly, as the first point wasn’t scored until the sixth rally. Rojas got that, and two more to lead 3-0. But Carson wasn’t going to roll over, as almost two months ago to the day, he was in the same position - down 2-0 versus Rojas - and came back to win in five games. Indeed, Carson scored the next five points to lead 5-3.
Rojas called a timeout at that point. He got the serve back on the next rally, and scored a point. But it wasn’t a big momentum shift, as Carson regained the serve after that point, and scored two more to lead 7-4. However, Rojas came back and tied the score at 7-7.
They were back and forth from that point with Rojas actually getting to nine first, leading 9-8. Carson tied it 9-9. A couple rallies went by, and then Rojas went ahead 10-9 with backhand down the line, making it 10-9.
A Carson serve return got him the service back, but only delayed the inevitable, as Rojas also hit a winning serve return: a backhand down the line.
Rojas won the match on the next serving opportunity, as he drove served to the left side, and skipped the backhand serve return shot.
Both Rojas and Carson were in the doubles event also, and played two doubles matches prior to their singles semi-final. But both Rojas’s matches went to three games, while both of Carson’s only went two. You’d think that was an advantage for Carson, but Carson’s also 11 years older than Rojas, so at 36, Carson’s recovery time is unlikely to be the same as Rojas’s at 25.
In those doubles matches, Carson and Alvaro Beltran advanced to the final with wins over 8th seeds Jeremy Best and Alejandro Herrera in the quarterfinals, 15-4, 15-13, and over Jansen Allen and Tony Carson, 15-10, 15-13, in the semi-finals.
However, Rojas and his brother Marco Rojas did not advance to the final, as they were defeated by 2nd seeds Felipe Camacho and De La Rosa, 15-3, 13-15, 11-7, after beating Charlie Pratt and Cliff Swain, 13-15, 15-14, 11-8, in the quarters.
The IRT Network live streaming of the finals will begin on Sunday at 11 AM central time with the singles final, which will followed by the doubles final.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Semi-finals
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-9, 11-2
6) Jose Rojas d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9
Final
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 6) Jose Rojas
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson d. 8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera, 15-4, 15-13
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. 5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-6, 10-15, 11-5
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas d. 6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain, 13-15, 15-14, 11-8
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa d. 7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado, 10-15, 15-10, 11-6
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson d. 4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 15-10, 15-13
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas, 15-3, 13-15, 11-7
IRT Doubles - Final
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson v. 2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk and Rojas played last week in Syosset, New York, where Waselenchuk won in three straight games. But Rojas was excellent in his semi-final today, and if he can play like that Sunday, he’ll have a chance.
Saturday, Rojas came out cruising, as he took a 8-0 lead in game one, winning it comfortably at 11-1. Game two was a similar story, as Rojas led 8-1. Carson got a few points, but then Rojas took it to game point at 10-4. Rojas did need four game points to finish game two, but did it in style with a great forehand pinch shot that followed up a very good drive serve to the left side - Carson’s backhand.
Game three started slowly, as the first point wasn’t scored until the sixth rally. Rojas got that, and two more to lead 3-0. But Carson wasn’t going to roll over, as almost two months ago to the day, he was in the same position - down 2-0 versus Rojas - and came back to win in five games. Indeed, Carson scored the next five points to lead 5-3.
Rojas called a timeout at that point. He got the serve back on the next rally, and scored a point. But it wasn’t a big momentum shift, as Carson regained the serve after that point, and scored two more to lead 7-4. However, Rojas came back and tied the score at 7-7.
They were back and forth from that point with Rojas actually getting to nine first, leading 9-8. Carson tied it 9-9. A couple rallies went by, and then Rojas went ahead 10-9 with backhand down the line, making it 10-9.
A Carson serve return got him the service back, but only delayed the inevitable, as Rojas also hit a winning serve return: a backhand down the line.
Rojas won the match on the next serving opportunity, as he drove served to the left side, and skipped the backhand serve return shot.
Both Rojas and Carson were in the doubles event also, and played two doubles matches prior to their singles semi-final. But both Rojas’s matches went to three games, while both of Carson’s only went two. You’d think that was an advantage for Carson, but Carson’s also 11 years older than Rojas, so at 36, Carson’s recovery time is unlikely to be the same as Rojas’s at 25.
In those doubles matches, Carson and Alvaro Beltran advanced to the final with wins over 8th seeds Jeremy Best and Alejandro Herrera in the quarterfinals, 15-4, 15-13, and over Jansen Allen and Tony Carson, 15-10, 15-13, in the semi-finals.
However, Rojas and his brother Marco Rojas did not advance to the final, as they were defeated by 2nd seeds Felipe Camacho and De La Rosa, 15-3, 13-15, 11-7, after beating Charlie Pratt and Cliff Swain, 13-15, 15-14, 11-8, in the quarters.
The IRT Network live streaming of the finals will begin on Sunday at 11 AM central time with the singles final, which will followed by the doubles final.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Semi-finals
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-9, 11-2
6) Jose Rojas d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9
Final
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 6) Jose Rojas
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson d. 8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera, 15-4, 15-13
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. 5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-6, 10-15, 11-5
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas d. 6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain, 13-15, 15-14, 11-8
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa d. 7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado, 10-15, 15-10, 11-6
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson d. 4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 15-10, 15-13
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas, 15-3, 13-15, 11-7
IRT Doubles - Final
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson v. 2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 22, 2016
Rojas into semi-finals at 38th Lewis IRT Pro-Am in Sioux Falls
Jose Rojas comes back from a game down to upset 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9, in the quarterfinals of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In the semi-finals, Rojas will play IRT #2 Rocky Carson, who beat Janson Allen, 11-3, 11-0, 11-2, in the quarters.
On the other side of the draw, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will play 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa in the semi-finals, after defeating 8th seed Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-7. De La Rosa advanced with a win over 5th seed Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.
Rojas didn’t just come from a game down in his match against Beltran, but he also fought back in games three and four, as well as game one, although he didn’t win that game. In game one, Beltran had leads of 5-0 and 8-2, and Rojas closed the gap to one at 8-7. However, Beltran was able to hold Rojas there, and close out game one 11-7 with Rojas skipping a forehand pinch shot from the service box.
Game one took a long time to play, but game two went by quickly, as Rojas got up 5-2 and didn’t look back, winning 11-3.
Game three was streaky, as Rojas scored the first two points, and then Beltran got the next eight to lead 8-2. Rojas then scored nine unanswered points to win 11-8. Beltran had a good opportunity to stop the run at 8-8, when Rojas ended up on the floor and had to push himself out of Beltran’s way towards the back wall. Any good shot by Beltran at that point wins him the rally, but he left the ball up on a forehand pinch shot, and Rojas picked himself up off the floor and kept the ball in play. On the ensuing shot, Beltran skipped a backhand pinch, making the score 9-8 for Rojas.
Game four was like game three in that Rojas got the first two points, but Beltran got to eight first with a lead at 8-4. Again, Rojas came back, scoring five points on consecutive rallies to lead 9-8. This time Beltran did get a side out, and was able to level the score at 9-9.
But it was Rojas who broke the tie, and then got to match point with soft backhand pinch shot that was flat into the front left corner. Rojas won it on his first match point after he drove serve to the left and Beltran skipped his backhand serve return.
The IRT Network live streaming on Saturday begins early with the doubles quarterfinals at 9:30 and 10:20 AM followed by the doubles semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11:00 AM. The and the final to follow the singles final on Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarterfinals
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-7
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7
6) Jose Rojas d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-0, 11-2
Semi-finals
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Jose Rojas
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera d. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou, 15-10, 15-12
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado d. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson, 15-7, 15-8
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson v. 8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson v. 5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas v. 6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa v. 7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado
Follow the bouncing ball….
On the other side of the draw, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will play 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa in the semi-finals, after defeating 8th seed Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-7. De La Rosa advanced with a win over 5th seed Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.
Rojas didn’t just come from a game down in his match against Beltran, but he also fought back in games three and four, as well as game one, although he didn’t win that game. In game one, Beltran had leads of 5-0 and 8-2, and Rojas closed the gap to one at 8-7. However, Beltran was able to hold Rojas there, and close out game one 11-7 with Rojas skipping a forehand pinch shot from the service box.
Game one took a long time to play, but game two went by quickly, as Rojas got up 5-2 and didn’t look back, winning 11-3.
Game three was streaky, as Rojas scored the first two points, and then Beltran got the next eight to lead 8-2. Rojas then scored nine unanswered points to win 11-8. Beltran had a good opportunity to stop the run at 8-8, when Rojas ended up on the floor and had to push himself out of Beltran’s way towards the back wall. Any good shot by Beltran at that point wins him the rally, but he left the ball up on a forehand pinch shot, and Rojas picked himself up off the floor and kept the ball in play. On the ensuing shot, Beltran skipped a backhand pinch, making the score 9-8 for Rojas.
Game four was like game three in that Rojas got the first two points, but Beltran got to eight first with a lead at 8-4. Again, Rojas came back, scoring five points on consecutive rallies to lead 9-8. This time Beltran did get a side out, and was able to level the score at 9-9.
But it was Rojas who broke the tie, and then got to match point with soft backhand pinch shot that was flat into the front left corner. Rojas won it on his first match point after he drove serve to the left and Beltran skipped his backhand serve return.
The IRT Network live streaming on Saturday begins early with the doubles quarterfinals at 9:30 and 10:20 AM followed by the doubles semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11:00 AM. The and the final to follow the singles final on Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarterfinals
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Marco Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-7
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Felipe Camacho, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7
6) Jose Rojas d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-0, 11-2
Semi-finals
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Jose Rojas
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera d. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou, 15-10, 15-12
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado d. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson, 15-7, 15-8
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson v. 8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson v. 5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas v. 6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa v. 7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado
Follow the bouncing ball….
No upsets in Round of 16 at 38th Lewis IRT Pro-Am in Sioux Falls
The Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota produced no upsets, and although there were some close games, only two matches went more than three games. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk did not play one of them, as he defeated Jose Diaz, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5, and neither did IRT #2 Rocky Carson, who was a winner over Troy Warigon, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3.
But 8th seed Marco Rojas and 9th Charlie Pratt went the distance. Pratt had the advantage after three games, but Rojas came back to win in five games with extra points needed in the fifth, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-3, 12-10. Rojas will play Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals later.
Fifth seed Felipe Camacho needed four games to get by Mario Mercado, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9. Camacho faces 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa in the quarters, as De La Rosa defeated Sebastian Franco in the 16s, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday from 4 PM via the IRT Network. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 10:30 AM. The doubles quarterfinals will be 9:30 and 10:20 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday, and the final at 11:30 AM Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Round of 16
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Diaz, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5
8) Marco Rojas d. Charlie Pratt, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-3, 12-10
5) Felipe Camacho d. Mario Mercado, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Sebastian Franco, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-3, 11-2, 12-10
6) Jose Rojas d. Tony Carson, 11-9, 11-8, 11-3
7) Jansen Allen d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. Troy Warigon, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
Quarterfianls
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 8) Marco Rojas
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Felipe Camacho
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Jose Rojas
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Jansen Allen
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera v. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou - Friday 10 PM
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson - Friday 9 PM
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
But 8th seed Marco Rojas and 9th Charlie Pratt went the distance. Pratt had the advantage after three games, but Rojas came back to win in five games with extra points needed in the fifth, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-3, 12-10. Rojas will play Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals later.
Fifth seed Felipe Camacho needed four games to get by Mario Mercado, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9. Camacho faces 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa in the quarters, as De La Rosa defeated Sebastian Franco in the 16s, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday from 4 PM via the IRT Network. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 10:30 AM. The doubles quarterfinals will be 9:30 and 10:20 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday, and the final at 11:30 AM Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Round of 16
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Diaz, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5
8) Marco Rojas d. Charlie Pratt, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-3, 12-10
5) Felipe Camacho d. Mario Mercado, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Sebastian Franco, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-3, 11-2, 12-10
6) Jose Rojas d. Tony Carson, 11-9, 11-8, 11-3
7) Jansen Allen d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. Troy Warigon, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
Quarterfianls
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 8) Marco Rojas
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Felipe Camacho
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Jose Rojas
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Jansen Allen
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera v. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou - Friday 10 PM
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson - Friday 9 PM
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 21, 2016
38th Annual IRT Sioux Falls Pro-Am - Preliminary Results
The qualifying matches are done at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and there was a barn burner between former top 10 player Tony Carson and 11th seed Mauricio Zelada, which Carson was able to pull out in five games, although he needed extra points in the fifth game, winning 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 13-11. Carson will play 6th seed Jose Rojas Friday in the Round of 16.
There were some other close matches Thursday, including Jake Bredenbeck’s upset win over 14th seed Matthew Majxner in four games, 11-1, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9. Also, Jose Diaz versus Alejandro Herrera was a close match with Diaz coming out on top in four games, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2 In other matches we anticipated, Charlie Pratt defeated Lee Connell in three games, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4, and Sebastian Franco beat Tim Landeryou, 11-8, 11-4, 12-10.
In the 16s Friday, Diaz will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, Bredenbeck will play #3 Alvaro Beltran, and Franco will face #4 Daniel De La Rosa. IRT #2 Rocky Carson is up against Troy Warigon in the Round of 16, as Warigon beat Scott McClellan, 11-1, 11-1, 11-6, in qualifying Thursday.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 10:30 AM. The doubles quarterfinals will be 9:30 and 10:20 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday, and the final at 11:30 AM Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1
Lee Connell d. Jonathan Justice, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-1
Tim Landeryou d. Chris Exner, 11-0, 11-7, 11-4
Jake Bredenbeck d. James Landeryou, 11-2, 11-4, 12-10
Tony Carson d. Tanner Prentice, 11-4, 11-2, 11-2
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Jose Diaz d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2
Q1) Charlie Pratt d. Lee Connell, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4
Q4) Mario Mercado d. Jeremy Best, 11-7, 11-2, 11-4
Q5) Sebastian Franco d. Tim Landeryou, 11-8, 11-4, 12-10
Q6) Jake Bredenbeck d. Matthew Majxner, 11-1, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9
Q3) Tony Carson d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 13-11
Q2) Robert Collins d. Lee Meinerz, 11-1, 11-4, 11-7
Q7) Troy Warigon d. Scott McClellan, 11-1, 11-1, 11-6
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz
8) Marco Rojas v. Charlie Pratt
5) Felipe Camacho v. Mario Mercado
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Sebastian Franco
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Jake Bredenbeck
6) Jose Rojas v. Tony Carson
7) Jansen Allen v. Robert Collins
2) Rocky Carson v. Troy Warigon
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera v. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
There were some other close matches Thursday, including Jake Bredenbeck’s upset win over 14th seed Matthew Majxner in four games, 11-1, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9. Also, Jose Diaz versus Alejandro Herrera was a close match with Diaz coming out on top in four games, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2 In other matches we anticipated, Charlie Pratt defeated Lee Connell in three games, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4, and Sebastian Franco beat Tim Landeryou, 11-8, 11-4, 12-10.
In the 16s Friday, Diaz will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, Bredenbeck will play #3 Alvaro Beltran, and Franco will face #4 Daniel De La Rosa. IRT #2 Rocky Carson is up against Troy Warigon in the Round of 16, as Warigon beat Scott McClellan, 11-1, 11-1, 11-6, in qualifying Thursday.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 10:30 AM. The doubles quarterfinals will be 9:30 and 10:20 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday, and the final at 11:30 AM Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1
Lee Connell d. Jonathan Justice, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-1
Tim Landeryou d. Chris Exner, 11-0, 11-7, 11-4
Jake Bredenbeck d. James Landeryou, 11-2, 11-4, 12-10
Tony Carson d. Tanner Prentice, 11-4, 11-2, 11-2
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Jose Diaz d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2
Q1) Charlie Pratt d. Lee Connell, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4
Q4) Mario Mercado d. Jeremy Best, 11-7, 11-2, 11-4
Q5) Sebastian Franco d. Tim Landeryou, 11-8, 11-4, 12-10
Q6) Jake Bredenbeck d. Matthew Majxner, 11-1, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9
Q3) Tony Carson d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 13-11
Q2) Robert Collins d. Lee Meinerz, 11-1, 11-4, 11-7
Q7) Troy Warigon d. Scott McClellan, 11-1, 11-1, 11-6
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz
8) Marco Rojas v. Charlie Pratt
5) Felipe Camacho v. Mario Mercado
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Sebastian Franco
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Jake Bredenbeck
6) Jose Rojas v. Tony Carson
7) Jansen Allen v. Robert Collins
2) Rocky Carson v. Troy Warigon
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera v. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
38th Annual Lewis IRT Pro-Am Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) returns to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am. It’s the second of back to back IRT events, as they were in Syosset, New York last weekend, where Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, won the 2016 New York City Pro-Am on Long Island, New York. Waselenchuk’s in Sioux Falls, which also features IRT Doubles, but Waselenchuk isn’t in the doubles draw, as his doubles partner Ben Croft is out of action. Croft is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and Waselenchuk is choosing to forego doubles rather than play with another partner.
There are several interesting doubles teams in Sioux Falls with Alvaro Beltran and Rocky Carson being the top seeds with Felipe Camacho and Daniel De La Rosa as the 2nd seeds. But also competing are US Open runners up Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, as well as former US National Doubles Champions Jansen Allen and Tony Carson, brothers Jose and Marco Rojas, and former IRT #1 Cliff Swain and Charlie Pratt.
A few of the potential Thursday’s singles qualifying matches to watch for include Jose Diaz versus Alejandro Herrera, Charlie Pratt against Lee Connell, Sebastian Franco and Tim Landeryou, and Mauricio Zelada against Tony Carson. Those are potential matches, as for some of those matches one of the players needs to win a match to set up that match. But one match which will happen that could be good is Jake Bredenbeck versus James Landeryou.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 10:30 AM. The doubles quarterfinals will be 9:30 and 10:20 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday, and the final at 11:30 AM Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1
Lee Connell v. Jonathan Justice
Jeremy Best v. Justus Benson
Tim Landeryou v. Chris Exner
Jake Bredenbeck v. James Landeryou
Tony Carson v. Tanner Prentice
Tanner Gross v. Lee Meinerz
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Jose Diaz v. Alejandro Herrera
Q1) Charlie Pratt v. Lee Connell or Jonathan Justice
Q4) Mario Mercado v. Jeremy Best or Justus Benson
Q5) Sebastian Franco v. Tim Landeryou or Chris Exner
Q6) Matthew Majxner v. Jake Bredenbeck or James Landeryou
Q3) Mauricio Zelada v. Tony Carson or Tanner Prentice
Q2) Robert Collins v. Tanner Gross or Lee Meinerz
Q7) Scott McClellan v. Troy Warigon
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8) Marco Rojas v. Q1
5) Felipe Camacho v. Q4
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Jose Rojas v. Q3
7) Jansen Allen v. Q2
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera v. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
There are several interesting doubles teams in Sioux Falls with Alvaro Beltran and Rocky Carson being the top seeds with Felipe Camacho and Daniel De La Rosa as the 2nd seeds. But also competing are US Open runners up Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, as well as former US National Doubles Champions Jansen Allen and Tony Carson, brothers Jose and Marco Rojas, and former IRT #1 Cliff Swain and Charlie Pratt.
A few of the potential Thursday’s singles qualifying matches to watch for include Jose Diaz versus Alejandro Herrera, Charlie Pratt against Lee Connell, Sebastian Franco and Tim Landeryou, and Mauricio Zelada against Tony Carson. Those are potential matches, as for some of those matches one of the players needs to win a match to set up that match. But one match which will happen that could be good is Jake Bredenbeck versus James Landeryou.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. The singles semi-finals are scheduled for 3:20 and 4:20 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 10:30 AM. The doubles quarterfinals will be 9:30 and 10:20 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at noon and 12:50 Saturday, and the final at 11:30 AM Sunday. All times central.
2016 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am, January 21-24
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1
Lee Connell v. Jonathan Justice
Jeremy Best v. Justus Benson
Tim Landeryou v. Chris Exner
Jake Bredenbeck v. James Landeryou
Tony Carson v. Tanner Prentice
Tanner Gross v. Lee Meinerz
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Jose Diaz v. Alejandro Herrera
Q1) Charlie Pratt v. Lee Connell or Jonathan Justice
Q4) Mario Mercado v. Jeremy Best or Justus Benson
Q5) Sebastian Franco v. Tim Landeryou or Chris Exner
Q6) Matthew Majxner v. Jake Bredenbeck or James Landeryou
Q3) Mauricio Zelada v. Tony Carson or Tanner Prentice
Q2) Robert Collins v. Tanner Gross or Lee Meinerz
Q7) Scott McClellan v. Troy Warigon
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8) Marco Rojas v. Q1
5) Felipe Camacho v. Q4
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Jose Rojas v. Q3
7) Jansen Allen v. Q2
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
IRT Doubles
1) Alvaro Beltran & Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Jeremy Best & Alejandro Herrera v. 9) Lee Connell & James Landeryou
5) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE
3) Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas - BYE
6) Charlie Pratt & Cliff Swain - BYE
7) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 10) Jordan Barth & Justus Benson
2) Felipe Camacho & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 18, 2016
Cardona wins twice at WRT Longhorn Open
The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) was part of the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas on the weekend, and Alejandro Cardona was a double winner, as he defeated Jaime Martell, 15-12, 15-4, to take the singles title, and teamed up with Martell to claim the doubles crown with a win over Chase Robison and Ethan Wasworth in the final, 15-8, 15-1.
The next WRT event will be the Mt. Rainier Open in Seattle, Washington, February 18-21 followed by the Juarez Open the next weekend, Februay 25-28 in Juarez, Mexico.
2016 WRT Longhorn Open, January 16-18
Austin, Texas
Singles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 2) Jaime Martell, 15-12, 15-4
Singles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 5) Chase Robison, 15-8, 15-1
2) Jaime Martell d. 6) Gerardo Guevara, 15-10, 15-10
Singles - Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 8) Alejandro Almada, 15-13, 15-8
5) Chase Robison d. 4) Nicolas Riffel, 15-13, 15-12
6) Gerardo Guevara d. 3) Brent Walters, 15-8, 12-15, 11-3
2) Jaime Martell d. 7) Arturo Burruel, 15-3, 15-4
Singles - Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 17) Taylor Brown, 15-1, 9-15, 11-4
8) Alejandro Almada d. 9) Richard Eisemann, 10-15, 15-2, 11-5
5) Chase Robison d. 21) Lukas Le, 15-4, 15-4
4) Nicolas Riffel d. 13) Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 15-14, 15-3
3) Brent Walters d. 14) Ethan Wadsworth, 15-8, 15-4
6) Gerardo Guevara d. 11) Scott McClellan, 15-14, 15-4
7) Arturo Burruel d. 10) George Bustos, 15-8, 15-13
2) Jaime Martell d. 15) Robert Tuttle, 15-3, 15-2
Singles - Round of 32
1) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
17) Taylor Brown d. 16) Juan Esparza, 15-10, 15-14
9) Richard Eisemann v. 24) Oscar Rico, 15-7, 15-8
8) Alejandro Almada v. 25) Mike Cantu, 15-8, 15-4
5) Chase Robison - BYE
21) Lukas Le d. 12) Rafael Filippini, 15-13, 15-8
13) Miguel Rodriguez Jr d. 20) Bruce Robles, 15-9, 15-11
4) Nicolas Riffel - BYE
3) Brent Walters - BYE
14) Ethan Wadsworth d. 19) Sam Hojat, 5-15, 15-10, 11-2
11) Scott McClellan d. 22) A. J. Fernandez, 15-14, 15-7
6) Gerardo Guevara - BYE
7) Arturo Burruel d. 26) Bernardo Zamora, 15-4, 11-5, 11-7
10) George Bustos d. 23) Alberto Garza, 15-9, 15-14
15) Robert Tuttle d. 18) Matt Mitchell, 15-11, 11-5, 11-0
2) Jaime Martell - BYE
Doubles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell d. 6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth, 15-8, 15-1
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell d. 4) Gerardo Guevara & Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 15-13, 15-6
6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth d. 7) Rafael Filippini & Scott Schafter, 15-5, 15-13
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell d. 8) Ignacio Jaimes & Alex Ma, 15-3, 15-4
4) Gerardo Guevara & Miguel Rodriguez Jr. d. 5) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr., 15-14, 15-11
6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth d. 3) Richard Eisemann & Nicolas Riffel, 15-13, 6-15, 11-10
7) Rafael Filippini & Scott Schafter d. 2) Patric Mascorro & Brent Walters, 6-15, 15-14, 11-8
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell - BYE
8) Ignacio Jaimes & Alex Ma d. 9) Arturo Burruel & David Marrero, 15-14, 11-15, 11-5
5) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr. - BYE
4) Gerardo Guevara & Miguel Rodriguez Jr - BYE
3) Richard Eisemann & Nicolas Riffel - BYE
6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth - BYE
7) Rafael Filippini & Scott Schafter d. 10) Marty Ahumada & Brent Poss, 15-7, 15-12
2) Patric Mascorro & Brent Walters - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
The next WRT event will be the Mt. Rainier Open in Seattle, Washington, February 18-21 followed by the Juarez Open the next weekend, Februay 25-28 in Juarez, Mexico.
2016 WRT Longhorn Open, January 16-18
Austin, Texas
Singles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 2) Jaime Martell, 15-12, 15-4
Singles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 5) Chase Robison, 15-8, 15-1
2) Jaime Martell d. 6) Gerardo Guevara, 15-10, 15-10
Singles - Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 8) Alejandro Almada, 15-13, 15-8
5) Chase Robison d. 4) Nicolas Riffel, 15-13, 15-12
6) Gerardo Guevara d. 3) Brent Walters, 15-8, 12-15, 11-3
2) Jaime Martell d. 7) Arturo Burruel, 15-3, 15-4
Singles - Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 17) Taylor Brown, 15-1, 9-15, 11-4
8) Alejandro Almada d. 9) Richard Eisemann, 10-15, 15-2, 11-5
5) Chase Robison d. 21) Lukas Le, 15-4, 15-4
4) Nicolas Riffel d. 13) Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 15-14, 15-3
3) Brent Walters d. 14) Ethan Wadsworth, 15-8, 15-4
6) Gerardo Guevara d. 11) Scott McClellan, 15-14, 15-4
7) Arturo Burruel d. 10) George Bustos, 15-8, 15-13
2) Jaime Martell d. 15) Robert Tuttle, 15-3, 15-2
Singles - Round of 32
1) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
17) Taylor Brown d. 16) Juan Esparza, 15-10, 15-14
9) Richard Eisemann v. 24) Oscar Rico, 15-7, 15-8
8) Alejandro Almada v. 25) Mike Cantu, 15-8, 15-4
5) Chase Robison - BYE
21) Lukas Le d. 12) Rafael Filippini, 15-13, 15-8
13) Miguel Rodriguez Jr d. 20) Bruce Robles, 15-9, 15-11
4) Nicolas Riffel - BYE
3) Brent Walters - BYE
14) Ethan Wadsworth d. 19) Sam Hojat, 5-15, 15-10, 11-2
11) Scott McClellan d. 22) A. J. Fernandez, 15-14, 15-7
6) Gerardo Guevara - BYE
7) Arturo Burruel d. 26) Bernardo Zamora, 15-4, 11-5, 11-7
10) George Bustos d. 23) Alberto Garza, 15-9, 15-14
15) Robert Tuttle d. 18) Matt Mitchell, 15-11, 11-5, 11-0
2) Jaime Martell - BYE
Doubles - Final
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell d. 6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth, 15-8, 15-1
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell d. 4) Gerardo Guevara & Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 15-13, 15-6
6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth d. 7) Rafael Filippini & Scott Schafter, 15-5, 15-13
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell d. 8) Ignacio Jaimes & Alex Ma, 15-3, 15-4
4) Gerardo Guevara & Miguel Rodriguez Jr. d. 5) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr., 15-14, 15-11
6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth d. 3) Richard Eisemann & Nicolas Riffel, 15-13, 6-15, 11-10
7) Rafael Filippini & Scott Schafter d. 2) Patric Mascorro & Brent Walters, 6-15, 15-14, 11-8
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona & Jaime Martell - BYE
8) Ignacio Jaimes & Alex Ma d. 9) Arturo Burruel & David Marrero, 15-14, 11-15, 11-5
5) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr. - BYE
4) Gerardo Guevara & Miguel Rodriguez Jr - BYE
3) Richard Eisemann & Nicolas Riffel - BYE
6) Chase Robison & Ethan Wadsworth - BYE
7) Rafael Filippini & Scott Schafter d. 10) Marty Ahumada & Brent Poss, 15-7, 15-12
2) Patric Mascorro & Brent Walters - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Waselenchuk wins 2016 IRT New York City Pro-Am
Kane Waselenchuk won the first event of 2016 on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Sunday, as he captured the 2016 New York City Pro-Am in Syosset, New York, by defeating Rocky Carson in the final, 11-7, 11-5, 11-2. It’s the 6th title of the season for Waselenchuk, and 5th time he has defeated Carson in the final.
They were close early in game one, as it took over 15 rallies to get to 3-3. But from there Waselenchuk took an 8-3 lead. Carson got within three at 8-5, and 10-7, but no closer, as Waselenchuk won game one, 11-7.
Waselenchuk went wire to wire in game two and three. In game two, Waselenchuk went up 5-1. Carson again cut the lead to three points at 6-3, but couldn’t get closer, as Waselenchuk won 11-5.
In game three, Waselenchuk took a 6-0 before Carson got on the board. A drive serve to the left that cracked out for an ace got Waselenchuk to match point at 10-2. He won it as Carson skipped a serve return off a drive Z to the left side that Carson tried to hit a backhand pinch shot from.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, Waselenchuk beat Jose Rojas, 11-5, 11-0, 11-3, and Carson got the better of Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8.
The IRT is again in action this coming weekend, when they will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am Tournament.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Final
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-7, 11-5, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 5) Jose Rojas, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8
2) Rocky Carson d. 6) Jansen Allen, 11-5, 11-0, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
They were close early in game one, as it took over 15 rallies to get to 3-3. But from there Waselenchuk took an 8-3 lead. Carson got within three at 8-5, and 10-7, but no closer, as Waselenchuk won game one, 11-7.
Waselenchuk went wire to wire in game two and three. In game two, Waselenchuk went up 5-1. Carson again cut the lead to three points at 6-3, but couldn’t get closer, as Waselenchuk won 11-5.
In game three, Waselenchuk took a 6-0 before Carson got on the board. A drive serve to the left that cracked out for an ace got Waselenchuk to match point at 10-2. He won it as Carson skipped a serve return off a drive Z to the left side that Carson tried to hit a backhand pinch shot from.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, Waselenchuk beat Jose Rojas, 11-5, 11-0, 11-3, and Carson got the better of Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8.
The IRT is again in action this coming weekend, when they will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the 38th Annual Lewis Pro-Am Tournament.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Final
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-7, 11-5, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 5) Jose Rojas, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8
2) Rocky Carson d. 6) Jansen Allen, 11-5, 11-0, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 15, 2016
Rojas and Allen through to the semi-finals at the 2016 IRT NYC Pro-Am
Jose Rojas and Jansen Allen were upset winners Friday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2016 New York City Pro-Am in Syosset, New York, as they both advanced to Saturday’s semi-finals. In the quarterfinals, Allen knocked off 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6, and Rojas beat 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-3.
But they’ll each need to create another upset if Allen and Rojas are to meet in the final, which would be a meeting of Team USA doubles partners, as Allen and Rojas captured gold at last year’s Pan American Games. Standing the way of them reaching the final are IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and IRT #2 Rocky Carson.
Waselenchuk and Carson both won their respective quarterfinal matches in three straight games, and none of those games was especially close. Waselenchuk beat Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4, and Carson defeated Marco Rojas (Jose's brother), 11-2, 11-6, 11-1.
The semi-finals will be shown on the IRT Network beginning at 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4
5) Jose Rojas d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-3
6) Jansen Allen d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-6, 11-1
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 5) Jose Rojas - 4 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Jansen Allen - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
But they’ll each need to create another upset if Allen and Rojas are to meet in the final, which would be a meeting of Team USA doubles partners, as Allen and Rojas captured gold at last year’s Pan American Games. Standing the way of them reaching the final are IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and IRT #2 Rocky Carson.
Waselenchuk and Carson both won their respective quarterfinal matches in three straight games, and none of those games was especially close. Waselenchuk beat Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4, and Carson defeated Marco Rojas (Jose's brother), 11-2, 11-6, 11-1.
The semi-finals will be shown on the IRT Network beginning at 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-0, 11-4
5) Jose Rojas d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-3
6) Jansen Allen d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Marco Rojas, 11-2, 11-6, 11-1
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 5) Jose Rojas - 4 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Jansen Allen - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 IRT NYC Pro-Am - Round of 16
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) has begun the second half of its season with the 2016 New York City Pro-Am on Long Island, New York, and the top players look rested, as they all played well in their first matches in the Round of 16 Friday. Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, defeated Alejandro Herrera, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4, and IRT #2 Rocky Carson beat Jake Bredenbeck, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7.
Fourth seed Daniel De La Rosa also won in three straight games against Andree Parrilla, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4, but 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran had a tougher time of it, as he needed four games to defeat Mario Mercado, 11-3, 13-15, 11-6, 11-7.
There was one small upset in the 16s, as 9th seed Charlie Pratt defeated 8th seed Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7. Pratt will face Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals.
Look for the quarterfinals on the IRT Network beginning at 4 PM Friday. The semi-finals are scheduled for 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4
Charlie Pratt d. 8) Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7
5) Jose Rojas d. Nicolas Bousquet, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Andree Parrilla, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Mario Mercado, 11-3, 13-15, 11-6, 11-7
6) Jansen Allen d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-2, 11-8, 11-3
7) Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-1, 11-5
2) Rocky Carson d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Charlie Pratt
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Jose Rojas
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Jansen Allen
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Marco Rojas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Fourth seed Daniel De La Rosa also won in three straight games against Andree Parrilla, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4, but 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran had a tougher time of it, as he needed four games to defeat Mario Mercado, 11-3, 13-15, 11-6, 11-7.
There was one small upset in the 16s, as 9th seed Charlie Pratt defeated 8th seed Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7. Pratt will face Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals.
Look for the quarterfinals on the IRT Network beginning at 4 PM Friday. The semi-finals are scheduled for 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Alejandro Herrera, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4
Charlie Pratt d. 8) Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7
5) Jose Rojas d. Nicolas Bousquet, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Andree Parrilla, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Mario Mercado, 11-3, 13-15, 11-6, 11-7
6) Jansen Allen d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-2, 11-8, 11-3
7) Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-1, 11-5
2) Rocky Carson d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Charlie Pratt
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Jose Rojas
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Jansen Allen
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Marco Rojas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Teenagers get upsets at 2016 IRT New York City Pro-Am
A couple of upsets in the qualifying rounds Thursday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2016 New York City Pro-Am on Long Island, New York, as two 19 year olds - Canadian Nicolas Bousquet and Mexican Andree Parrilla - have reached the Round of 16 with two wins on Thursday.
Bousquet defeated 12th seed Matthew Majxner, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, and Parrilla beat 13th seed Sebastian Franco, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9, which is a big win, as Franco has been a semi-finalist twice this season.
In the Round of 16, Bousquet will play 5th seed Jose Rojas, while Parrilla will be up against 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa.
Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, will start the NYC Pro-Am against Alejandro Herrera in the 16s Friday, as Herrera beat Troy Warigon, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, Thursday. IRT #2 Rocky Carson plays Jake Bredenbeck, who survived a showdown with Jose Diaz that was close, as we expected, with Bredenbeck winning in four games, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7.
Third seed Alvaro Beltran will also have a tough match, as he’s up against young Bolivian Mario Mercado, who was a semi-finalist at the last IRT event in St Louis back in November.
The other Round of 16 matches are Charlie Pratt versus Felipe Camacho, Jansen Allen against Mauricio Zelada, and Marco Rojas plays Robert Collins.
The 16s begin at 10 AM Friday, and will be streamed live via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon and evening. The semi-finals are scheduled for 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Qualifying Round 1
Jonathan Justice d. Marquis Miller, 11-5, 11-2, 11-5
Nicolas Bousquet d. Mitch Posner, 11-0, 11-3, 11-0
Andree Parrilla d. Joe Polazzo, forfeit
Maurice Miller d. Bradley Williams, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1
John Behm d. Michael Leduc, 11-7, 11-5, 11-1
Jonathan Clay d. Kamyron Meeks, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Alejandro Herrera d. Troy Warigon, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8
Q1) Charlie Pratt d. Jonathan Justice, 11-2, 11-3, 11-2
Q4) Nicolas Bousquet d. Matthew Majxner, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7
Q5) Andree Parrilla d. Sebastian Franco, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9
Q6) Mario Mercado d. Maurice Miller, 11-7, 11-0, 11-9
Q3) Mauricio Zelada d. John Behm, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9
Q2) Robert Collins d. Jonathan Clay, 11-6, 11-2, 11-9
Q7) Jake Bredenbeck d. Jose Diaz, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Alejandro Herrera
8) Felipe Camacho v. Charlie Pratt
5) Jose Rojas v. Nicolas Bousquet
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Andree Parrilla
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Mario Mercado
6) Jansen Allen v. Mauricio Zelada
7) Marco Rojas v. Robert Collins
2) Rocky Carson v. Jake Bredenbeck
Follow the bouncing ball….
Bousquet defeated 12th seed Matthew Majxner, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, and Parrilla beat 13th seed Sebastian Franco, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9, which is a big win, as Franco has been a semi-finalist twice this season.
In the Round of 16, Bousquet will play 5th seed Jose Rojas, while Parrilla will be up against 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa.
Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, will start the NYC Pro-Am against Alejandro Herrera in the 16s Friday, as Herrera beat Troy Warigon, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, Thursday. IRT #2 Rocky Carson plays Jake Bredenbeck, who survived a showdown with Jose Diaz that was close, as we expected, with Bredenbeck winning in four games, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7.
Third seed Alvaro Beltran will also have a tough match, as he’s up against young Bolivian Mario Mercado, who was a semi-finalist at the last IRT event in St Louis back in November.
The other Round of 16 matches are Charlie Pratt versus Felipe Camacho, Jansen Allen against Mauricio Zelada, and Marco Rojas plays Robert Collins.
The 16s begin at 10 AM Friday, and will be streamed live via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon and evening. The semi-finals are scheduled for 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Qualifying Round 1
Jonathan Justice d. Marquis Miller, 11-5, 11-2, 11-5
Nicolas Bousquet d. Mitch Posner, 11-0, 11-3, 11-0
Andree Parrilla d. Joe Polazzo, forfeit
Maurice Miller d. Bradley Williams, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1
John Behm d. Michael Leduc, 11-7, 11-5, 11-1
Jonathan Clay d. Kamyron Meeks, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Alejandro Herrera d. Troy Warigon, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8
Q1) Charlie Pratt d. Jonathan Justice, 11-2, 11-3, 11-2
Q4) Nicolas Bousquet d. Matthew Majxner, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7
Q5) Andree Parrilla d. Sebastian Franco, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9
Q6) Mario Mercado d. Maurice Miller, 11-7, 11-0, 11-9
Q3) Mauricio Zelada d. John Behm, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9
Q2) Robert Collins d. Jonathan Clay, 11-6, 11-2, 11-9
Q7) Jake Bredenbeck d. Jose Diaz, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Alejandro Herrera
8) Felipe Camacho v. Charlie Pratt
5) Jose Rojas v. Nicolas Bousquet
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Andree Parrilla
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Mario Mercado
6) Jansen Allen v. Mauricio Zelada
7) Marco Rojas v. Robert Collins
2) Rocky Carson v. Jake Bredenbeck
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 IRT New York City Pro-Am - Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is back in action this weekend with the 2016 New York City Pro-Am on Long Island, New York. Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, is gunning to win another event, and everyone else will be looking to stop him.
There are two rounds of action on Thursday before Waselenchuk and the other top 8 IRT players begin play in the Round of 16 on Friday morning. The highlight of the preliminary rounds is a battle between Jose Diaz and Jake Bredenbeck, who played doubles together at last year’s US Open. This will be a replay of the 2015 Pan American Championships final, which Diaz won in two straight games. But in that competition, they were limited to one serve, and Bredenbeck’s drive serve is one of his big weapons. Will the 2 serve rule on the IRT shift the balance to Bredenbeck? It will be fun to see how this one plays out.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson will play the winner of Diaz-Bredenbeck in the 16s, while Waselenchuk will play the winner of Troy Warigon and Alejandro Herrera.
Another match we anticipate to be good is Sebastian Franco versus Andree Parrilla, although Parrilla needs to beat Joe Polazzo to set that up. Then the winner of that will face 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa in a Round of 16 match, which should also be good.
Other Round of 16 matches we anticipate to be good are 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran versus young Bolivian Mario Mercado, Charlie Pratt versus Felipe Camacho, and Jansen Allen against Mauricio Zelada.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon and evening. The semi-finals are scheduled for 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Qualifying Round 1
Jonathan Justice v. Marquis Miller
Mitch Posner v. Kamyron Meeks
Andree Parrilla v. Joe Polazzo
Maurice Miller v. Bradley Williams
John Behm v. Michael Leduc
Jonathan Clay v. Nicolas Bousquet
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Troy Warigon v. Alejandro Herrera
Q1) Charlie Pratt v. Jonathan Justice or Marquis Miller
Q4) Matthew Majxner v. Mitch Posner or Kamyron Meeks
Q5) Sebastian Franco v. Andree Parrilla or Joe Polazzo
Q6) Mario Mercado v. Maurice Miller or Bradley Williams
Q3) Mauricio Zelada v. John Behm or Michael Leduc
Q2) Robert Collins v. Jonathan Clay or Nicolas Bousquet
Q7) Jose Diaz v. Jake Bredenbeck
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8) Felipe Camacho v. Q1
5) Jose Rojas v. Q4
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Jansen Allen v. Q3
7) Marco Rojas v. Q2
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
There are two rounds of action on Thursday before Waselenchuk and the other top 8 IRT players begin play in the Round of 16 on Friday morning. The highlight of the preliminary rounds is a battle between Jose Diaz and Jake Bredenbeck, who played doubles together at last year’s US Open. This will be a replay of the 2015 Pan American Championships final, which Diaz won in two straight games. But in that competition, they were limited to one serve, and Bredenbeck’s drive serve is one of his big weapons. Will the 2 serve rule on the IRT shift the balance to Bredenbeck? It will be fun to see how this one plays out.
IRT #2 Rocky Carson will play the winner of Diaz-Bredenbeck in the 16s, while Waselenchuk will play the winner of Troy Warigon and Alejandro Herrera.
Another match we anticipate to be good is Sebastian Franco versus Andree Parrilla, although Parrilla needs to beat Joe Polazzo to set that up. Then the winner of that will face 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa in a Round of 16 match, which should also be good.
Other Round of 16 matches we anticipate to be good are 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran versus young Bolivian Mario Mercado, Charlie Pratt versus Felipe Camacho, and Jansen Allen against Mauricio Zelada.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon and evening. The semi-finals are scheduled for 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday with the final on Sunday at 11 AM. All times eastern.
2016 New York City Open, January 14-17
Long Island, New York
Qualifying Round 1
Jonathan Justice v. Marquis Miller
Mitch Posner v. Kamyron Meeks
Andree Parrilla v. Joe Polazzo
Maurice Miller v. Bradley Williams
John Behm v. Michael Leduc
Jonathan Clay v. Nicolas Bousquet
Qualifying Round 2
Q8) Troy Warigon v. Alejandro Herrera
Q1) Charlie Pratt v. Jonathan Justice or Marquis Miller
Q4) Matthew Majxner v. Mitch Posner or Kamyron Meeks
Q5) Sebastian Franco v. Andree Parrilla or Joe Polazzo
Q6) Mario Mercado v. Maurice Miller or Bradley Williams
Q3) Mauricio Zelada v. John Behm or Michael Leduc
Q2) Robert Collins v. Jonathan Clay or Nicolas Bousquet
Q7) Jose Diaz v. Jake Bredenbeck
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8) Felipe Camacho v. Q1
5) Jose Rojas v. Q4
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Jansen Allen v. Q3
7) Marco Rojas v. Q2
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
2015-16 IRT First Half Season Review
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) begins the second half of its 2015-16 season this weekend with the NYC Open on Long Island, New York, and will be followed immediately with the Lewis Drug Pro-Am next weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Thus, it's a good time to look back on the first half of the season.
With five wins over seven events, Kane Waselenchuk is clearly the #1 IRT player this season. The two events he didn't win are events he didn't play in, although the record has him as losing in Davison, that was a late withdrawal. Waselenchuk also won the US Open doubles event for the second year, as he and Ben Croft successfully defended their title from a year ago.
Similarly, Rocky Carson is a solid #2 with one win and five runner up finishes in the first half of the season. But after Carson, it's a muddy picture. Alvaro Beltran is the only other winner this season, but he's also lost in the Round of 16 three times. Daniel De La Rosa reached the US Open final for the first time in his career, but has also lost in the 16s twice and only been a semi-finalist twice. Jose Rojas only has one loss in the 16s and a runner up finish to Carson, so he's arguably ahead of Beltran and De La Rosa, although it's really splitting hairs between the three.
The first half of the season also saw some breakthrough results, as Felipe Camacho, Sebastian Franco, Mario Mercado and Brad Schopieray all reached the semi-finals for the first times in their careers. Franco was a semi-finalist twice. Those four players are from four different countries, giving the IRT a real international flavour. Camacho is Costa Rican, Franco Colombian, Mercado Bolivian and Schopieray is American.
At the other end of the spectrum, Cliff Swain reached the semi-finals for the 163rd time in his career, when he got the semis in Davison. In most of his semi-final appearances (110 times), the six time IRT #1 Swain advanced to the final, but this year the now 49 year old lost to Rocky Carson. Swain's 163 semi-final or better IRT appearances alone would tie him for 8th on the all time appearances list with Chris Crowther. Swain's 285 appearances overall is by far the most career IRT appearances. Ruben Gonzalez is a distant second at 216.
Schedule
What marked the first half of the IRT season was five Tier 1 events on consecutive weekends, which is a crazy schedule. Only 8 players played in all seven first half events: Carson, Jose Rojas, Beltran, Jansen Allen, Felipe Camacho, Robert Collins, Mauricio Zelada, and Mario Mercado. De La Rosa was technically in all seven events, but he was a late withdrawal from the Garden City event.
The second half schedule is more forgiving, as there are back to back events twice, with the first ones this weekend and next. Then there's two months until the IRT is in action again with back to back events in early March in Edinburg, Texas and Lombard, Illinois.
After that the IRT will be in Huber Heights, Ohio for the 2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, in Minneapolis, which will host the IRT Pro Nationals, in Sarasota for the Florida IRT Pro-Am, and then finishes up in Portland Oregon with the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions.
Thus, there are 15 events on the IRT schedule this season, which will make for a good racquetball season.
2015-16 IRT Season - Event Summary
Event - Final - Semi-Finalists
Kansas City: Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson - SF: Jose Rojas & Felipe Camacho
US Open: Waselenchuk d. Daniel De La Rosa - SF: Alvaro Beltran & Carson
US Open Doubles: Waselenchuk & Ben Croft d. Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - SF: Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas and Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt
San Marcos: Waselenchuk d. Carson - SF: Beltran & Sebastian Franco
Atlanta: Beltran d. Carson - SF: De La Rosa & J. Rojas
Davison: Carson d. J. Rojas - SF: Cliff Swain & Brad Schopieray
Garden City: Waselenchuk d. Carson - SF: Franco & Beltran
St Louis: Waselenchuk d. Carson - SF: De La Roas & Mario Mercado
Top 20 IRT rankings - January 12, 2016
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1) Kane Waselenchuk (Canada): 4440
2) Rocky Carson (USA): 3738
3) Alvaro Beltran (Mexico): 2486
4) Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico): 2346
5) Jose Rojas (USA): 2187
6) Jansen Allen (USA): 1833
7) Marco Rojas (USA): 1688
8) Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica): 1254
9) Charlie Pratt (USA): 1179
10) Robert Collins (USA): 1124
11) Ben Croft (USA): 933
12) Mauricio Zelada (USA): 838
13) Matthew Majxner (USA): 817
14) Sebastian Franco (Colombia): 769
15) Mario Mercado (Bolivia): 736
16) Jose Diaz (USA): 582
17) Scott McClellan (USA): 580
18) Brad Schopieray (USA): 494
19) Filip Vesely (USA): 432
20) Tim Landeryou (Canada): 362
The 2015-16 IRT Statistical Abstract (first half of season)
Total matches played: 210
Percentage of 3 game matches: 60.5 (127 of 210)
Percentage of 4 game matches: 22.4 (47)
Percentage of 5 game matches: 14.3 (30)
Percentage of matches that were defaults or data was incomplete: 2.9 (6)
Most 5 game matches played: 7 - Daniel De La Rosa (4 wins, 3 losses)
2nd most 5 game matches played: 6 - Alvaro Beltran (4 wins, 2 losses)
Most points for in a victory: 53 - Thomas Fuhrmann d. Mario Mercado, 11-2, 8-11, 11-8, 9-11, 14-12, at the US Open
Most points scored in a loss: 50 - Rocky Carson loses to Daniel De La Rosa, 11-9, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, at the US Open
Most points in a 5 game match: 102 - Daniel De La Rosa d. Rocky Carson, 11-9, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, at the US Open
Most points in a 4 game match: 80 - Andree Parrilla d. Mario Mercado, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 in San Marcos
Most points in a 3 game match: 72 - Matthew Majxner d. Brian Simpson, 11-9, 13-11, 15-13, in St Louis
Largest margin of victory 5 game match: 19 - Matthew Majxner d. Jonathan Justice, 11-4, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11, 11-2, in Atlanta
Largest margin of victory 4 game match: 24 - Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-5, 11-0, 11-13, 11-2, in Kansas City
Largest margin of victory 3 game match: 32 - Rocky Carson d. Jeremy Best, 11-1, 11-0, 11-0, in Atlanta
Smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -9 - Teobaldo Fumero d. Fernando Rios, 11-9, 1-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9, at the US Open
Smallest margin of victory 4 game match: 3 - Mauricio Zelada d. Dylan Reid, 13-11, 2-11, 11-6, 11-6, in St Louis
Smallest margin of victory 3 game match: 6 - Matthew Majxner d. Brian Simpson, 11-9, 13-11, 15-13, in St Louis
Follow the bouncing ball....
With five wins over seven events, Kane Waselenchuk is clearly the #1 IRT player this season. The two events he didn't win are events he didn't play in, although the record has him as losing in Davison, that was a late withdrawal. Waselenchuk also won the US Open doubles event for the second year, as he and Ben Croft successfully defended their title from a year ago.
Similarly, Rocky Carson is a solid #2 with one win and five runner up finishes in the first half of the season. But after Carson, it's a muddy picture. Alvaro Beltran is the only other winner this season, but he's also lost in the Round of 16 three times. Daniel De La Rosa reached the US Open final for the first time in his career, but has also lost in the 16s twice and only been a semi-finalist twice. Jose Rojas only has one loss in the 16s and a runner up finish to Carson, so he's arguably ahead of Beltran and De La Rosa, although it's really splitting hairs between the three.
The first half of the season also saw some breakthrough results, as Felipe Camacho, Sebastian Franco, Mario Mercado and Brad Schopieray all reached the semi-finals for the first times in their careers. Franco was a semi-finalist twice. Those four players are from four different countries, giving the IRT a real international flavour. Camacho is Costa Rican, Franco Colombian, Mercado Bolivian and Schopieray is American.
At the other end of the spectrum, Cliff Swain reached the semi-finals for the 163rd time in his career, when he got the semis in Davison. In most of his semi-final appearances (110 times), the six time IRT #1 Swain advanced to the final, but this year the now 49 year old lost to Rocky Carson. Swain's 163 semi-final or better IRT appearances alone would tie him for 8th on the all time appearances list with Chris Crowther. Swain's 285 appearances overall is by far the most career IRT appearances. Ruben Gonzalez is a distant second at 216.
Schedule
What marked the first half of the IRT season was five Tier 1 events on consecutive weekends, which is a crazy schedule. Only 8 players played in all seven first half events: Carson, Jose Rojas, Beltran, Jansen Allen, Felipe Camacho, Robert Collins, Mauricio Zelada, and Mario Mercado. De La Rosa was technically in all seven events, but he was a late withdrawal from the Garden City event.
The second half schedule is more forgiving, as there are back to back events twice, with the first ones this weekend and next. Then there's two months until the IRT is in action again with back to back events in early March in Edinburg, Texas and Lombard, Illinois.
After that the IRT will be in Huber Heights, Ohio for the 2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, in Minneapolis, which will host the IRT Pro Nationals, in Sarasota for the Florida IRT Pro-Am, and then finishes up in Portland Oregon with the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions.
Thus, there are 15 events on the IRT schedule this season, which will make for a good racquetball season.
2015-16 IRT Season - Event Summary
Event - Final - Semi-Finalists
Kansas City: Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson - SF: Jose Rojas & Felipe Camacho
US Open: Waselenchuk d. Daniel De La Rosa - SF: Alvaro Beltran & Carson
US Open Doubles: Waselenchuk & Ben Croft d. Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - SF: Jose Rojas & Marco Rojas and Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt
San Marcos: Waselenchuk d. Carson - SF: Beltran & Sebastian Franco
Atlanta: Beltran d. Carson - SF: De La Rosa & J. Rojas
Davison: Carson d. J. Rojas - SF: Cliff Swain & Brad Schopieray
Garden City: Waselenchuk d. Carson - SF: Franco & Beltran
St Louis: Waselenchuk d. Carson - SF: De La Roas & Mario Mercado
Top 20 IRT rankings - January 12, 2016
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1) Kane Waselenchuk (Canada): 4440
2) Rocky Carson (USA): 3738
3) Alvaro Beltran (Mexico): 2486
4) Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico): 2346
5) Jose Rojas (USA): 2187
6) Jansen Allen (USA): 1833
7) Marco Rojas (USA): 1688
8) Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica): 1254
9) Charlie Pratt (USA): 1179
10) Robert Collins (USA): 1124
11) Ben Croft (USA): 933
12) Mauricio Zelada (USA): 838
13) Matthew Majxner (USA): 817
14) Sebastian Franco (Colombia): 769
15) Mario Mercado (Bolivia): 736
16) Jose Diaz (USA): 582
17) Scott McClellan (USA): 580
18) Brad Schopieray (USA): 494
19) Filip Vesely (USA): 432
20) Tim Landeryou (Canada): 362
The 2015-16 IRT Statistical Abstract (first half of season)
Total matches played: 210
Percentage of 3 game matches: 60.5 (127 of 210)
Percentage of 4 game matches: 22.4 (47)
Percentage of 5 game matches: 14.3 (30)
Percentage of matches that were defaults or data was incomplete: 2.9 (6)
Most 5 game matches played: 7 - Daniel De La Rosa (4 wins, 3 losses)
2nd most 5 game matches played: 6 - Alvaro Beltran (4 wins, 2 losses)
Most points for in a victory: 53 - Thomas Fuhrmann d. Mario Mercado, 11-2, 8-11, 11-8, 9-11, 14-12, at the US Open
Most points scored in a loss: 50 - Rocky Carson loses to Daniel De La Rosa, 11-9, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, at the US Open
Most points in a 5 game match: 102 - Daniel De La Rosa d. Rocky Carson, 11-9, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, at the US Open
Most points in a 4 game match: 80 - Andree Parrilla d. Mario Mercado, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 in San Marcos
Most points in a 3 game match: 72 - Matthew Majxner d. Brian Simpson, 11-9, 13-11, 15-13, in St Louis
Largest margin of victory 5 game match: 19 - Matthew Majxner d. Jonathan Justice, 11-4, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11, 11-2, in Atlanta
Largest margin of victory 4 game match: 24 - Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-5, 11-0, 11-13, 11-2, in Kansas City
Largest margin of victory 3 game match: 32 - Rocky Carson d. Jeremy Best, 11-1, 11-0, 11-0, in Atlanta
Smallest margin of victory 5 game match: -9 - Teobaldo Fumero d. Fernando Rios, 11-9, 1-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9, at the US Open
Smallest margin of victory 4 game match: 3 - Mauricio Zelada d. Dylan Reid, 13-11, 2-11, 11-6, 11-6, in St Louis
Smallest margin of victory 3 game match: 6 - Matthew Majxner d. Brian Simpson, 11-9, 13-11, 15-13, in St Louis
Follow the bouncing ball....
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