2016 IRT Florida Quarterfinals

Sebastian Franco, ranked 9th on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), will play in his fourth semi-final of the season Saturday, which is more than anyone outside of the top five players. Franco got there by defeating Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5, in the quarterfinals Friday. Bredenbeck was coming of an intense match against IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk that he won when Waselenchuk withdrew in early in game five, apparently not fully recovered from the hernia surgery he had a few weeks ago.

Franco will face Daniel De La Rosa in the semis, as De La Rosa beat Jose Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7. Rojas had a brief lead in game one of that match at 5-4, but De La Rosa was in control from that point on, as Rojas just didn’t have his A game.

On the bottom of the draw, veterans Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran were both straight game winners over two young players. Carson, the 2nd seed, defeated 7th seed Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-9, 11-3, and 3rd seed Beltran beat 11th seed Mario Mercado, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7.

The semi-finals begin at 11 AM with De La Rosa and Franco with Carson and Beltran to play at noon. You can watch the action live via the IRT Network. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.

2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida

Quarterfinals - Friday

Sebastian Franco d. Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Jose Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7

3) Alvaro Beltran d. Mario Mercado, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-9, 11-3

Semi-finals - Saturday

4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. 3) Alvaro Beltran - Noon

Follow the bouncing ball….