Martinez, Murray surprise winners in quarterfinals at 18th IRF World Championships

Ana Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala won again Thursday at the 18th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Cali, Colombia, and will be on the podium for the first time in her young career. Today Martinez beat Veronica Sotomayor of Ecuador, 15-9, 15-9, in the quarterfinals, so she’s going to be a medalist in Cali.

Samantha Salas of Mexico will face Martinez in the semi-finals, as Salas defeated hometown favorite Cristina Amaya of Colombia, 15-3, 6-15, 11-6, in the quarters.

Top seed and two time defending Women’s Singles Champion Paola Longoria of Mexico beat Canadian Christine Richardson, 15-1, 15-0, in her quarterfinal match, and will face Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina in the semis, as Vargas defeated Chilean Carla Muñoz, 15-9, 6-15, 11-9.

On the men’s side, four time defending Men’s Singles Champion Rocky Carson of the USA defeated Javier Mar of Mexico, 15-9, 15-9, in the quarterfinals, and will play Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso in the semi-finals, which will be a replay of the 2014 Men’s Singles Final that Carson won. Moscoso beat Fernando Rios of Ecuador, 11-15, 15-0, 11-1, in the quarters.

Finally, Canadian Samuel Murray knocked off 3rd seed Chris Crowther of the USA, 7-15, 15-3, 11-7, to reach the semis, where he will play Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico, who was a winner against Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic, 15-6, 15-0.

There is live streaming of medal round matches via the IRF website. Also, the IRF is posting match videos and player interviews to the iRF YouTube channel.

18th IRF World Championships
July 15-23, 2016
Cali, Colombia

Women's Singles - Quarterfinals

1) Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 9) Christine Richardson (Canada), 15-1, 15-0
5) Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. 13) Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-9, 6-15, 11-9

3) Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. 6) Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-3, 6-15, 11-6
15) Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. 7) Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-9

Women's Singles - Semi-finals

1) Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 5) Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
3) Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. 15) Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)

Men’s Singles - Quarterfinals

1) Rocky Carson (USA) d. 8) Javier Mar (Mexico), 15-9, 15-9
5) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 4) Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 11-15, 15-0, 11-1

6) Samuel Murray (Canada) d. 3) Chris Crowther (USA), 7-15, 15-3, 11-7
10) Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) d. 18) Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-6, 15-0

Men’s Singles - Semi-finals

1) Rocky Carson (USA) v. 5) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
6) Samuel Murray (Canada) v. 10) Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico)

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