2016 IRT Ghost of Georgetown - Quarterfinals

The top two seeds are into the semi-finals, but none of the other top five seeds at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 17th Annual Ghost of Georgetown presented by Novasors in Overland Park, Kansas. In the quarterfinals, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk defeated 8th seed Felipe Camacho, 11-1, 11-3, 11-3, and IRT #2 Rocky Carson beat Marco Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 4-11, 12-10.

But the other two winners in the quarters were upsets. Sixth seed Jansen Allen upset IRT #3 Daniel De La Rosa, 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9. It was Allen’s first win over De La Rosa in what was their eighth meeting on tour. If Allen is going to reach his first final, he’ll have to beat another play that he hasn’t beaten yet in Carson.

Allen won both games one and two by coming from behind. He was down 7-5 in game one, yet won 11-7. The deficit was greater in game two, as De La Rosa led 8-1, and then 10-7. However, Allen got the last five points to go up 2-0 on the De La Rosa.

After De La Rosa again had a lead in game three at 10-5, Allen was coming back, and got to 10-9, when he double faulted by hitting a Z serve to the right that was a three wall serve. One wondered if that mistake was going to be crucial in the match, but in game four it was Allen who took the lead, as he went up 7-1.

This time De La Rosa came back, scoring eight unanswered points to lead 9-7. However, he got stuck on nine, and Allen was able to pull it out. His eighth point came as De La Rosa skipped a backhand shot, and the ninth was a service winner, as a Z serve to the right side was unsuccessfully returned by De La Rosa. A forehand set up took Allen to match point.

But there Allen missed a forehand reverse pinch. A shot that is in his arsenal, but not the highest percentage shot to take, and probably not needed in that situation. However, De La Rosa couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity, as he skipped a backhand shot that gave the serve back to Allen.

They traded serves once more, as De La Rosa got a side out with a solid forehand shot down the left side, but then skipped a forehand on his own serve. On the third match point, Allen hit a drive serve to the left side - he had been hitting mostly Z serves to the right side - and De La Rosa skipped the return.

The last quarterfinal winner was Alejandro Landa who beat Jake Bredenbeck in four games, 11-5, 1-11, 11-9, 11-9. The courts were very humid and with the players diving, and coating the floor with sweat, the conditions were slippery. Indeed, conditions seemed to be bordering on unplayably dangerous in games three and four, as both players were on the floor after slipping.

After losing the first game, Bredenbeck came back strong in game two, and continued that on into game three, as he went up 5-0. However, Landa came back and tied it at 5-5. Bredenbeck regained the lead, and continued to lead until Landa caught him again at 9-9. Then it was Landa who was able to score the last two points, ending it with a solid backhand shot.

The semi-finals will be streamed live Saturday at 4 and 5 PM Central via the IRT Network with the final Sunday at noon Central.

17th Annual Ghost of Georgetown presented by Novasors - September 8-11, 2016
Overland Park, Kansas

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Felipe Camacho, 11-1, 11-3, 11-3
Alejandro Landa d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-5, 1-11, 11-9, 11-9

6) Jansen Allen d. 3) Daniel De La Rosa, 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Marco Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 4-11, 12-10

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Alejandro Landa - 4 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Jansen Allen - 5 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….