We have come down to the last weekday of 2017, so it’s time to reflect on the racquetball year that was. There have been several significant events and great outcomes in racquetball this year, and here’s what The Racquetball Blog thought were the most important.
Top Racquetball Stories of 2017
10. Junior Worlds Performances. The Bolivian girls won the Girls Team title for the first time at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships this year by sweeping singles and doubles in U14 and U16 and taking both bronze medals in U18 singles. Also, Montserrat Mejia of Mexico defeated Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala to win Girls U18 Singles, and Mauro Rojas of the USA won Boys U18 Singles by beating Eduardo Portillo of Mexico.
9. Frédérique Lambert. Lambert has emerged as Paola Longoria’s primary rival, finishing the 2016-17 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season as the #2 player. She was a finalist at the US Open for the first time in 2017, and has finished 2nd to Longoria in that event as well as the other two events she’s played this season. This despite being a 4th year medical student in her hometown of Montreal. 2018 is an International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships year, and we are looking forward to a Lambert-Longoria final in Women’s Singles, because if there’s one woman who could prevent Longoria from a 4th World Championship, it’s Lambert.
8. Sudsy Monchik. Monchik made a successful return to competitive racquetball in 2017. He played the US Open for the first time in 11 years, and made it to the quarterfinals. Then he won doubles at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Utah event with Sebastian Franco. Monchik has coached the Ecuador team for the past two years, although he resigned from that position earlier this year. But the experience clearly inspired him to pursue competitive racquetball again. He’s going to play doubles with Rocky Carson at the 2018 USA Racquetball Doubles Championship. If they win - and we wouldn’t bet against them - Monchik would qualify to play at the IRF World Championships, which he has never done.
7. Rhonda Rajsich. Rajsich won Women’s Singles at the 2017 Pan American Championships in Costa Rica by defeating Paola Longoria, the two time defending champion, in three games. It was Rajsich’s first international singles title since 2011, when she also won singles at the Pan American Championship. Overall, Rajsich has won three Women’s Singles and two Women’s Doubles titles at Pan Am Championships. Additionally, Rajsich won the US Team Qualifying division at the USA Racquetball National Singles Championships for the 7th consecutive time and 10th time overall. At 39, Rajsich is still holding the torch high for women's racquetball in the USA.
6. Samantha Salas. In June, Salas won the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico, her 2nd career Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) victory. She did it in dramatic fashion by coming back from two games down to defeat Longoria in the semi-finals, and then beat Rhonda Rajsich in three straight games in the final. Perhaps making Salas’s accomplishment even more impressive is that almost immediately after the win, she had shoulder surgery, which had been planned in advance, so presumably she wasn't 100% in that tournament, but still found a way to win it. Salas hasn't played on the LPRT this season, but plans to return in 2018.
5. David Horn. Horn won 4 events on the World Racquetball Tour (WRT), including 3 of the last 4 events of the year, and finished as the WRT Player of the Year as the #1 player at year’s end. Horn was also a coach with the US Junior Team under Pratt. Horn is an interesting player, because he came to racquetball later than other players. Yet he’s worked hard to develop his racquetball skills, and it’s paying off for him.
4. Charlie Pratt. Pratt had a journeyman career on the IRT until December, when he won the Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon. That makes him the 36th man to win an IRT Tier 1 event. Pratt also represented the USA for the 1st time, and was a finalist at the 2017 Pan American Championships in Costa Rica. Pratt was also the Head Coach of the USA Junior Team for the 2017 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships in Minneapolis, where they won three gold medals in the World Cup divisions and finished 3rd overall as a team. It was a good showing for the USA, especially considering Pratt was leading the team for the first time.
3. Paola Longoria. Longoria was named the Univision Female Athlete of the Year, which was a great honour for her. She won her 7th consecutive US Open and 8th overall, and is clearly the best women’s player currently. Yet, 2017 wasn’t her strongest year on tour, although she remains the #1 women’s player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). Two losses were why it wasn’t Longoria’s best year. Two losses in one year for other players would be amazing, but for Longoria who has been undefeated in a year previously, it’s sub-par. We don’t think the losses are indicative of any sort of decline for the 28 year old, although her main rivals are now younger not older, but that being said she lost to older players in 2017, as Rajsich defeated her at the Pan American Championships and Salas beat her on the LPRT in June.
2. Kane Waselenchuk. Waselenchuk went through the 2016-17 IRT season undefeated. Not just without losing a match, but without losing a game. A GAME! It’s astounding, and adds more fuel to the argument that he is the best male racquetball player ever, which is an argument The Racquetball Blog would be happy to make at any time. He won’t repeat that feat this season, as he dropped games at the US Open, but he won the Open for the 10th straight time and 13th overall. As we have suggested before, you should see Waselenchuk live, as he’s something to see and you won’t see the likes of him again any time soon.
1. IRT changes hands. The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is the longest existing professional racquetball tour, and it changed hands in 2017. John Scott, owner of the IRT Network, led an investors group that took over the IRT from the leadership of Jason Mannino, who had led the organization since 2011. That was a significant move in itself, but then the recent news that the IRT will change its match format makes this change even more significant moving forward. The Racquetball Blog is on record as being against the change in match format, but we know that Scott and his group have the best interests of racquetball at heart, and we wish them well.
Honorable mentions: Cristina Amaya, who won gold at the 2017 Bolivarian Games and was also a runner up in Women’s Doubles at the 2017 US Open with Adriana Riveros - both were career firsts. The US Open Men’s Doubles final, which was won by Waselenchuk and Ben Croft in a tie-breaker over Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa, as some are saying this was the best racquetball match ever. Alejandro Landa won Men’s Singles and Doubles (with Polo Gutierrez) at the 2017 Pan American Championships in Costa Rica.
As you see, 2017 was a great year for racquetball, and we trust that 2018 will be also. 2018 will mark be a significant anniversary for The Racquetball Blog, as it will be our 10th year. Over the past decade we have put out 2589 articles on racquetball, so about 5 a week. We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading them, and we welcome your comments. The Racquetball Blog is also on Facebook and Twitter (@racquetballblog).
Here’s to another year of following the bouncing ball.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, December 29, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
IRT matches to become best of 3 games
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) announced this week that it will change its scoring system in 2018. Since 1981, IRT matches have been best of 5 games with each game to 11 points. Beginning in 2018, IRT matches will be best of 3 games with the first two games to 15 and tie-breaker to 11.
Perhaps more importantly, each game will be win by one point. IRT games have been win by two since 1989.(1)
The rationale given for this change was to make IRT matches consistent with USA Racquetball (USAR), International Racquetball Federation (IRF), and World Racquetball Tour (WRT) matches. Yet there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with the best of 5, win by 2 system, and unless something is a problem, there’s no reason to fix it.
Also, having matches be the best of 5 games, when other organizations - especially the non-professional USAR - were using a best of 3 games format meant IRT matches were different from regular non-professional matches. It made them special. They will no longer be special.
The IRT also cites playing time as a consideration in making the change, suggesting overall match time could be reduced. A reduction in match time suggests the role of athlete fitness may be reduced, which is not good, because fitter athletes should be rewarded for being in better condition than their opponents.
The Racquetball Blog strongly believes games should be win by 2, not 1. Our reasoning is that racquetball involves serving, and having serve a big advantage in a rally. If a game is win by 1, then one lucky serve (or unlucky return) can determine the winner, which shouldn’t be the case. Every other sport involving serving - tennis, table tennis(2), squash, volleyball, badminton - uses a win by 2 rule.
The only exceptions were USAR, the IRF and WRT, which uses IRF rules, and now the IRT. Racquetball Canada matches are best of 3 games (two to 15, breaker to 11) and win by 2. The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) singles matches are best of 5 games to 11, win by 2, and an LPRT representative told The Racquetball Blog they have no plans to change. LPRT doubles matches use the best of 3, win by 1 format.
In making the change, the IRT cited US Open history which has yet to see a five game match in the final. Most of those finals have involved Kane Waselenchuk, who has rarely played five games with anyone, so that evidence is not compelling to us, especially when you consider the US Open is the longest pro event, so by the final one of the players may be in better condition than the other, and that small an advantage can make the difference.
Moreover, it ignores US Open semi-final history that has given us some of the best matches in IRT history, including Cliff Swain versus Jack Huczek in 2004 and again in 2005, as well as Jason Mannino versus Huczek in 2006, and more recently Rocky Carson against Daniel De La Rosa, who split semi-final matches at the 2015 and 2016 US Opens. All those matches went five games and some took over two hours to play. They were great, but nothing like that will happen in 2018. Sad.
Finally, changing the scoring system after 36 years means comparisons from matches in 2018 and on to matches from 1981-2017 will be impossible. Any single game records will not be valid moving forward, because the games will be a different length.
Line Judges
The IRT will allow line judges on an “as needed basis,” which seems like a good idea, as it will help to increase the likelihood the correct call is made. The discriminations in racquetball - was that a short serve? did the ball bounce twice before it was hit? - can be difficult at the best of times, so we’re all in favor of helping the referee make the correct decision.
Replay on the IRT Network will be the “primary option,” but line judges may be used depending on the local conditions.
Notes:
(1) History information from Pro Racquetball Historical Data Archive.
(2) Badminton games are to 21 win by 2, but are capped at 30, so if a game gets to 29-29, the person who gets the next point will win the game 30-29.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Perhaps more importantly, each game will be win by one point. IRT games have been win by two since 1989.(1)
The rationale given for this change was to make IRT matches consistent with USA Racquetball (USAR), International Racquetball Federation (IRF), and World Racquetball Tour (WRT) matches. Yet there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with the best of 5, win by 2 system, and unless something is a problem, there’s no reason to fix it.
Also, having matches be the best of 5 games, when other organizations - especially the non-professional USAR - were using a best of 3 games format meant IRT matches were different from regular non-professional matches. It made them special. They will no longer be special.
The IRT also cites playing time as a consideration in making the change, suggesting overall match time could be reduced. A reduction in match time suggests the role of athlete fitness may be reduced, which is not good, because fitter athletes should be rewarded for being in better condition than their opponents.
The Racquetball Blog strongly believes games should be win by 2, not 1. Our reasoning is that racquetball involves serving, and having serve a big advantage in a rally. If a game is win by 1, then one lucky serve (or unlucky return) can determine the winner, which shouldn’t be the case. Every other sport involving serving - tennis, table tennis(2), squash, volleyball, badminton - uses a win by 2 rule.
The only exceptions were USAR, the IRF and WRT, which uses IRF rules, and now the IRT. Racquetball Canada matches are best of 3 games (two to 15, breaker to 11) and win by 2. The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) singles matches are best of 5 games to 11, win by 2, and an LPRT representative told The Racquetball Blog they have no plans to change. LPRT doubles matches use the best of 3, win by 1 format.
In making the change, the IRT cited US Open history which has yet to see a five game match in the final. Most of those finals have involved Kane Waselenchuk, who has rarely played five games with anyone, so that evidence is not compelling to us, especially when you consider the US Open is the longest pro event, so by the final one of the players may be in better condition than the other, and that small an advantage can make the difference.
Moreover, it ignores US Open semi-final history that has given us some of the best matches in IRT history, including Cliff Swain versus Jack Huczek in 2004 and again in 2005, as well as Jason Mannino versus Huczek in 2006, and more recently Rocky Carson against Daniel De La Rosa, who split semi-final matches at the 2015 and 2016 US Opens. All those matches went five games and some took over two hours to play. They were great, but nothing like that will happen in 2018. Sad.
Finally, changing the scoring system after 36 years means comparisons from matches in 2018 and on to matches from 1981-2017 will be impossible. Any single game records will not be valid moving forward, because the games will be a different length.
Line Judges
The IRT will allow line judges on an “as needed basis,” which seems like a good idea, as it will help to increase the likelihood the correct call is made. The discriminations in racquetball - was that a short serve? did the ball bounce twice before it was hit? - can be difficult at the best of times, so we’re all in favor of helping the referee make the correct decision.
Replay on the IRT Network will be the “primary option,” but line judges may be used depending on the local conditions.
Notes:
(1) History information from Pro Racquetball Historical Data Archive.
(2) Badminton games are to 21 win by 2, but are capped at 30, so if a game gets to 29-29, the person who gets the next point will win the game 30-29.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Longoria wins singles & doubles at 2017 LPRT Christmas Classic
Paola Longoria defeated Frédérique Lambert, 11-2, 11-0, 9-11, 11-2, to win the 2017 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland Sunday. Longoria beat Lambert again in the LPRT doubles final, when she teamed up with Alexandra Herrera to defeat Lambert and Jessica Parrilla, 15-13, 15-6.
In the singles final, each game had one of the players taking a 5-0 lead. In game one, Longoria got up by that margin, and then Lambert scored two points to make it 5-2. Lambert didn’t score again until the start of game three.
But in game three, Lambert took the early lead at 7-0. It was easy to imagine that there was going to be a long match now, especially when Lambert got to ten at 10-5. Then Longoria came back to 10-9, and it was easy to imagine she’d end it in three. However, Lambert was able to close out game three on her third game point, which was a drive serve ace to the left side.
Game four reverted to the pattern of games one and two, as Longoria went up 8-0, and pushed on to win decisively, 11-2, as Lambert skipped a backhand serve return on match point.
The first game of the doubles final was close, and Lambert and Parrilla actually led 9-8. But Longoria and Herrera got the next six points, reaching game point at 14-9. Lambert got her side the serve back with a backhand pinch shot, and she and Parrilla ran four points to get within one at 14-13.
A marginal avoidable call on Lambert ended that run. But Longoria and Herrera didn’t score off it, as Lambert and Parrilla in turn hit winners on the next two rallies. But they couldn’t score with the back, which gave Longoria and Herrera a chance to end the game, and the left-handed Herrera did so with a forehand pinch shot, 15-13.
In game two, Longoria and Herrera jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and Lambert and Parrilla were never closer than that, as Longoria and Herrera went on to win it, 15-6, and take the match in two straight games.
The 2017-18 LPRT season will continue in January with the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina, January 26-28. If you missed any of this weekend’s action, you can see it via the LPRT YouTube channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Final
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-2, 11-0, 9-11, 11-2
LPRT Doubles - Final
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 3) Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert, 15-13, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the singles final, each game had one of the players taking a 5-0 lead. In game one, Longoria got up by that margin, and then Lambert scored two points to make it 5-2. Lambert didn’t score again until the start of game three.
But in game three, Lambert took the early lead at 7-0. It was easy to imagine that there was going to be a long match now, especially when Lambert got to ten at 10-5. Then Longoria came back to 10-9, and it was easy to imagine she’d end it in three. However, Lambert was able to close out game three on her third game point, which was a drive serve ace to the left side.
Game four reverted to the pattern of games one and two, as Longoria went up 8-0, and pushed on to win decisively, 11-2, as Lambert skipped a backhand serve return on match point.
The first game of the doubles final was close, and Lambert and Parrilla actually led 9-8. But Longoria and Herrera got the next six points, reaching game point at 14-9. Lambert got her side the serve back with a backhand pinch shot, and she and Parrilla ran four points to get within one at 14-13.
A marginal avoidable call on Lambert ended that run. But Longoria and Herrera didn’t score off it, as Lambert and Parrilla in turn hit winners on the next two rallies. But they couldn’t score with the back, which gave Longoria and Herrera a chance to end the game, and the left-handed Herrera did so with a forehand pinch shot, 15-13.
In game two, Longoria and Herrera jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and Lambert and Parrilla were never closer than that, as Longoria and Herrera went on to win it, 15-6, and take the match in two straight games.
The 2017-18 LPRT season will continue in January with the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina, January 26-28. If you missed any of this weekend’s action, you can see it via the LPRT YouTube channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Final
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-2, 11-0, 9-11, 11-2
LPRT Doubles - Final
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 3) Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert, 15-13, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Longoria & Lambert to face off in singles & doubles at 2017 LPRT Christmas Classic
Paola Longoria and Frédérique Lambert - the #1 and #2 players, respectively, on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) - will face off in the final of the 2017 LPRT Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland Friday. But their paths to the final were not equal, as Longoria won her semi-final match in straight games, while Lambert played a second consecutive five game match in the semis.
Longoria defeated 4th seed Rhonda Rajisch, 11-2, 11-0, 11-2, while Lambert went toe to toe with Jessica Parrilla, eventually come out on top by the scores of 14-12, 11-8, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8.
Longoria and Lambert will also face off in the LPRT doubles final on Sunday. In the semis, Longoria and Alexandra Herrera beat Carla Muñoz and Natalia Mendez, 15-7, 15-7, while Lambert and Parrilla won two close games against Cristina Amaya and Adriana Riveros, 15-11, 15-13.
The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-2, 11-0, 11-2
2 Frédérique Lambert d. 3 Jessica Parrilla, 14-12, 11-8, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8
LPRT Singles - Final - Sunday - 11 AM
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Frédérique Lambert
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez, 15-7, 15-7
3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert d. 2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros, 15-11, 15-13
LPRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria defeated 4th seed Rhonda Rajisch, 11-2, 11-0, 11-2, while Lambert went toe to toe with Jessica Parrilla, eventually come out on top by the scores of 14-12, 11-8, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8.
Longoria and Lambert will also face off in the LPRT doubles final on Sunday. In the semis, Longoria and Alexandra Herrera beat Carla Muñoz and Natalia Mendez, 15-7, 15-7, while Lambert and Parrilla won two close games against Cristina Amaya and Adriana Riveros, 15-11, 15-13.
The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-2, 11-0, 11-2
2 Frédérique Lambert d. 3 Jessica Parrilla, 14-12, 11-8, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8
LPRT Singles - Final - Sunday - 11 AM
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Frédérique Lambert
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez, 15-7, 15-7
3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert d. 2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros, 15-11, 15-13
LPRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Quarterfinals at 2017 LPRT Christmas Classic
Frédérique Lambert - the #2 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) , barely survived her quarterfinal match with 7th seed Natalia Mendez, 10-12, 11-7, 11-3, 11-13, 11-9, at the LPRT Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland Friday. This quarterfinal was a rematch from this year’s US Open semi-finals, when Lambert also won in five games.
Lambert was ahead 6-4 in the breaker only to see Mendez come back and take the lead at 7-6. Yet the young Canadian was able to recover, and won the next four points, which put her on match point at 10-7. But Mendez fought off that point by hitting a winning return of a drive serve to the right.
However, Mendez didn’t score, so Lambert had her second chance to end it. That also went by as Mendez hit a winning forehand cross-court. An unforced forehand skip shot by Lambert gave Mendez her 8th point, and she earned her 9th with a drive serve ace to the right side.
With an opportunity to tie the game at 10-10, Mendez skipped a shot. But she regained serve with a backhand return of a Lambert drive serve to the left side. Lambert got the serve back with an impressive backhand pinch that she volleyed out of the air and into the front left corner.
It was another backhand pinch shot that ended it, as Lambert made good on her fourth match point opportunity. The win sets up a showdown with her doubles partner Jessica Parrilla, as Parrilla best Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8.
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria won her quarterfinal in straight games, as she beat Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-0, 11-3. Longoria’s semi-final opponent will be Rhonda Rajsich, as Rajsich defeated Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6.
The singles semi-finals will go Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM with the doubles semis to follow at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-0, 11-3
4 Rhonda Rajsich v. 5 Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 6 Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8
2 Frédérique Lambert d. 7 Natalia Mendez, 10-12, 11-7, 11-3, 11-13, 11-9
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 4 Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
2 Frédérique Lambert v. 3 Jessica Parrilla - 4 PM
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez - 7 PM
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Lambert was ahead 6-4 in the breaker only to see Mendez come back and take the lead at 7-6. Yet the young Canadian was able to recover, and won the next four points, which put her on match point at 10-7. But Mendez fought off that point by hitting a winning return of a drive serve to the right.
However, Mendez didn’t score, so Lambert had her second chance to end it. That also went by as Mendez hit a winning forehand cross-court. An unforced forehand skip shot by Lambert gave Mendez her 8th point, and she earned her 9th with a drive serve ace to the right side.
With an opportunity to tie the game at 10-10, Mendez skipped a shot. But she regained serve with a backhand return of a Lambert drive serve to the left side. Lambert got the serve back with an impressive backhand pinch that she volleyed out of the air and into the front left corner.
It was another backhand pinch shot that ended it, as Lambert made good on her fourth match point opportunity. The win sets up a showdown with her doubles partner Jessica Parrilla, as Parrilla best Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8.
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria won her quarterfinal in straight games, as she beat Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-0, 11-3. Longoria’s semi-final opponent will be Rhonda Rajsich, as Rajsich defeated Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6.
The singles semi-finals will go Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM with the doubles semis to follow at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-0, 11-3
4 Rhonda Rajsich v. 5 Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 6 Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8
2 Frédérique Lambert d. 7 Natalia Mendez, 10-12, 11-7, 11-3, 11-13, 11-9
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 4 Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
2 Frédérique Lambert v. 3 Jessica Parrilla - 4 PM
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez - 7 PM
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, December 8, 2017
2017 LPRT Christmas Classic - Round of 16
No upsets by one tie-breaker in the Round of 16 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland Friday. Top seeds Paola Longoria and Frédérique Lambert won comfortably. Longoria defeated Abril Prado, 11-2, 11-0, 11-3, and Lambert took out Amie Brewer, 11-6, 11-5, 11-0.
In the quarterfinals, Longoria will take on Carla Muñoz, who had a slow start against Adriana Riveros, but then got on track and won in four games, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7. Lambert’s quarterfinal opponent will be Natalia Mendez, who was a winner over Nancy Enriquez, 11-7, 11-6, 11-0, and that will be a re-match of from the US Open semi-finals, when Lambert defeated Mendez in five games.
The tie-breaker happened between 5th seed Alexandra Herrera and 12th seed Sheryl Lotts, as Lotts was up 2-1 on Herrera. But the young Mexican came back to win in five games, 11-5, 10-12, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3. Herrera will face Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters, as Rajsich was a winner over Cassandra Lee, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6.
In the only doubles match of the day, Muñoz and Mendez defeated Rajsich and Lotts, 15-4, 15-9. Muñoz and Mendez played well, but Rajsich and Lotts didn’t really get on track until late in the second game. They were down 13-3, and got it to 13-8, which led to Muñoz and Mendez calling a time-out. Muñoz and Mendez did get the sideout and got to 14-8, but weren’t able to convert game point until their third chance. Yet in that time, Rajsich and Lotts were only able to get one more point, so didn’t put more pressure on their opponents.
The quarterfinals will be Saturday morning at 10 AM & 11 AM with the semi-finals Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Abril Prado v. 16 Hannah Shnurman, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7
9 Adriana Riveros - BYE
8 Carla Muñoz - BYE
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Sheryl Lotts - BYE
13 Cassandra Lee - BYE
4 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Jennifer Dering - BYE
11 Adrianne Haynes - BYE
6 Cristina Amaya - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez - BYE
15 Amie Brewer - BYE
2 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Abril Prado, 11-2, 11-0, 11-3
8 Carla Muñoz d. 9 Adriana Riveros, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
5 Alexandra Herrera d. 12 Sheryl Lotts, 11-5, 10-12, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3
4 Rhonda Rajsich d. 13 Cassandra Lee, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 14 Jennifer Dering, 11-1, 11-3, 11-0
6 Cristina Amaya d. 11 Adrianne Haynes, 11-2, 11-4, 12-10
7 Natalia Mendez d. 10 Nancy Enriquez, 11-7, 11-6, 11-0
2 Frédérique Lambert d. 15 Amie Brewer, 11-6, 11-5, 11-0
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Carla Muñoz
4 Rhonda Rajsich v. 5 Alexandra Herrera
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 6 Cristina Amaya
2 Frédérique Lambert v. 7 Natalia Mendez
LPRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez d. 5 Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts, 15-4, 15-9
3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez - 7 PM
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the quarterfinals, Longoria will take on Carla Muñoz, who had a slow start against Adriana Riveros, but then got on track and won in four games, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7. Lambert’s quarterfinal opponent will be Natalia Mendez, who was a winner over Nancy Enriquez, 11-7, 11-6, 11-0, and that will be a re-match of from the US Open semi-finals, when Lambert defeated Mendez in five games.
The tie-breaker happened between 5th seed Alexandra Herrera and 12th seed Sheryl Lotts, as Lotts was up 2-1 on Herrera. But the young Mexican came back to win in five games, 11-5, 10-12, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3. Herrera will face Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters, as Rajsich was a winner over Cassandra Lee, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6.
In the only doubles match of the day, Muñoz and Mendez defeated Rajsich and Lotts, 15-4, 15-9. Muñoz and Mendez played well, but Rajsich and Lotts didn’t really get on track until late in the second game. They were down 13-3, and got it to 13-8, which led to Muñoz and Mendez calling a time-out. Muñoz and Mendez did get the sideout and got to 14-8, but weren’t able to convert game point until their third chance. Yet in that time, Rajsich and Lotts were only able to get one more point, so didn’t put more pressure on their opponents.
The quarterfinals will be Saturday morning at 10 AM & 11 AM with the semi-finals Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Abril Prado v. 16 Hannah Shnurman, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7
9 Adriana Riveros - BYE
8 Carla Muñoz - BYE
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Sheryl Lotts - BYE
13 Cassandra Lee - BYE
4 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Jennifer Dering - BYE
11 Adrianne Haynes - BYE
6 Cristina Amaya - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez - BYE
15 Amie Brewer - BYE
2 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Abril Prado, 11-2, 11-0, 11-3
8 Carla Muñoz d. 9 Adriana Riveros, 1-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
5 Alexandra Herrera d. 12 Sheryl Lotts, 11-5, 10-12, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3
4 Rhonda Rajsich d. 13 Cassandra Lee, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 14 Jennifer Dering, 11-1, 11-3, 11-0
6 Cristina Amaya d. 11 Adrianne Haynes, 11-2, 11-4, 12-10
7 Natalia Mendez d. 10 Nancy Enriquez, 11-7, 11-6, 11-0
2 Frédérique Lambert d. 15 Amie Brewer, 11-6, 11-5, 11-0
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Carla Muñoz
4 Rhonda Rajsich v. 5 Alexandra Herrera
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 6 Cristina Amaya
2 Frédérique Lambert v. 7 Natalia Mendez
LPRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez d. 5 Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts, 15-4, 15-9
3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez - 7 PM
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2017 LPRT Christmas Classic - Preview
The Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland has become a staple tournament on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), and this year’s edition begins Friday. There’s a small draw, but most of the top 10 players will be competing, including LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Frédérique Lambert.
Longoria and Lambert have met in the finals of the last two LPRT events with Longoria winning both. In the last final, Longoria won the first game, but Lambert then retired, as she was still feeling the effects of being hit in the head during her semi-final match against Jessica Parrilla.
But that was six weeks ago, and since then Lambert has won Racquetball Canada’s National Team Selection Event, so she seems to have fully recovered from what seems to have been a mild concussion.
Look for Longoria and Lambert to battle it out again in the final on Sunday, although Parrilla or veteran Rhonda Rajsich could surprise.
The tournament starts Friday afternoon with one match before the Round of 16, which begins Friday at 3. The quarterfinals will be Saturday morning (10 AM & 11 AM) and semi-finals Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 Hannah Shnurman v. 17 Abril Prado - 2 PM
9 Adriana Riveros - BYE
8 Carla Muñoz - BYE
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Sheryl Lotts - BYE
13 Cassandra Lee - BYE
4 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Jennifer Dering - BYE
11 Adrianne Haynes - BYE
6 Cristina Amaya - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez - BYE
15 Amie Brewer - BYE
2 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria v. 16 Hannah Shnurman or 17 Abril Prado - 6 PM
8 Carla Muñoz v. 9 Adriana Riveros - 6 PM
5 Alexandra Herrera v. 12 Sheryl Lotts - 3 PM
4 Rhonda Rajsich v. 13 Cassandra Lee - 3 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 14 Jennifer Dering - 4 PM
6 Cristina Amaya v. 11 Adrianne Haynes - 4 PM
7 Natalia Mendez v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 5 PM
2 Frédérique Lambert v. 15 Amie Brewer - 5 PM
LPRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez v. 5 Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - 7 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez or 5 Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - 7 PM
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria and Lambert have met in the finals of the last two LPRT events with Longoria winning both. In the last final, Longoria won the first game, but Lambert then retired, as she was still feeling the effects of being hit in the head during her semi-final match against Jessica Parrilla.
But that was six weeks ago, and since then Lambert has won Racquetball Canada’s National Team Selection Event, so she seems to have fully recovered from what seems to have been a mild concussion.
Look for Longoria and Lambert to battle it out again in the final on Sunday, although Parrilla or veteran Rhonda Rajsich could surprise.
The tournament starts Friday afternoon with one match before the Round of 16, which begins Friday at 3. The quarterfinals will be Saturday morning (10 AM & 11 AM) and semi-finals Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final scheduled for noon. Check out the LPRT YouTube channel for the action or its LiveStream channel.
2017 Christmas Classic
Laurel, Maryland - December 8-10, 2017
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 Hannah Shnurman v. 17 Abril Prado - 2 PM
9 Adriana Riveros - BYE
8 Carla Muñoz - BYE
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Sheryl Lotts - BYE
13 Cassandra Lee - BYE
4 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Jennifer Dering - BYE
11 Adrianne Haynes - BYE
6 Cristina Amaya - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez - BYE
15 Amie Brewer - BYE
2 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria v. 16 Hannah Shnurman or 17 Abril Prado - 6 PM
8 Carla Muñoz v. 9 Adriana Riveros - 6 PM
5 Alexandra Herrera v. 12 Sheryl Lotts - 3 PM
4 Rhonda Rajsich v. 13 Cassandra Lee - 3 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 14 Jennifer Dering - 4 PM
6 Cristina Amaya v. 11 Adrianne Haynes - 4 PM
7 Natalia Mendez v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 5 PM
2 Frédérique Lambert v. 15 Amie Brewer - 5 PM
LPRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez v. 5 Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - 7 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 4 Carla Muñoz & Natalia Mendez or 5 Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - 7 PM
2 Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 3 Jessica Parrilla & Frédérique Lambert - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, December 4, 2017
Weekend Round Up - Camacho & Murray win doubles & WRT gives out awards
Felipe Camacho and Samuel Murray won the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Future Doubles division on the weekend at the John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, when they defeated Adam Manilla and Nicholas Riffel, 15-4, 15-7, in the final.
It’s the second straight tournament Camacho and Murray have reached the final. They lost to Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn last time out at the IRT Winter Rollout in St. Louis.
World Racquetball Tour Awards
The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) 2017 season ended on the weekend with the Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas. Thus, the WRT year end awards were given out.
The 2017 Player of the Year was David “Bobby” Horn, who also won the Alamo City Open on Sunday. The Rookie of the Year was Erick Cuevas, and Sportsmanship Award went to Gerardo Franco with Rodrigo Montoya named the Fan Favourite.
Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour
This week’s big event is the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland. Look for our coverage of it later this week.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
IRT Futures Doubles Final
Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray d. Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel, 15-4, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
It’s the second straight tournament Camacho and Murray have reached the final. They lost to Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn last time out at the IRT Winter Rollout in St. Louis.
World Racquetball Tour Awards
The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) 2017 season ended on the weekend with the Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas. Thus, the WRT year end awards were given out.
The 2017 Player of the Year was David “Bobby” Horn, who also won the Alamo City Open on Sunday. The Rookie of the Year was Erick Cuevas, and Sportsmanship Award went to Gerardo Franco with Rodrigo Montoya named the Fan Favourite.
Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour
This week’s big event is the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland. Look for our coverage of it later this week.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
IRT Futures Doubles Final
Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray d. Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel, 15-4, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Horns wins 2017 WRT Alamo City Open and is named Player of the Year
David Horn defeated Alejandro Cardona, 15-12, 8-15, 11-9, to win the 2017 World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas Sunday. Horn’s win cemented him as the season ending #1 WRT player, so he was also named Player of the Year. Also, Horn’s win was his fourth WRT title this year.
Cardona was the WRT Player of the Year the past two seasons, but in 2017, he only won one tournament.
After dropping the first game, 15-12, Cardona came out strong in game two, as he built up a 9-1 lead. He extended that lead to 13-2 and got to game point at 14-4. But Horn dug in, and as he started to edge closer to Cardona, Cardona called a timeout at 14-7.
Horn was able to score another point when play resumed, but Cardona then got a side out and finished off the game at 15-8.
Game three started slowly, as eight rallies only got them to 1-1. Then Cardona edged ahead at 5-2. But Horn cameback, using primarily backhand lob serves - either straight or Z - to the left side: Cardona’s backhand. When Horn took the lead at 6-5, Cardona called a timeout.
Cardona got the serve back after the timeout, but wasn’t able to score before Horn took the serve back. Horn continued to score, and when the score reached 9-5, Cardona took another timeout.
When play resumed, Horn hit a backhand cross court winner from shoulder high to get his first match point at 10-5. But a Cardona backhand denied Horn the win. Yet Cardona couldn’t score either, so Horn had match point #2, which Cardona again denied with a forehand down the left side.
Then Cardona started scoring. A backhand winner made it 10-6. A forehand pinch, 10-7. Horn skipping a forehand shot made it 10-8. When Cardona hit a backhand cross court winner, making it 10-9, Horn called a timeout.
On the next rally, Cardona made took excellent diving gets, but the second one, which he hit to the ceiling, came back and hit him as he was trying to get out of the way. Match point #3 for Horn, and again Cardona denied him. This time Cardona just flicked his wrist as he hit a backhand pinch shot for a winner.
In the next rally, Horn got a big forehand set up with Cardona forced to the left side of the court, and Horn made no mistake by hitting a winner to the right side.
With his fourth match point, Horn made good with a backhand shot that was tight down the left wall. Fourth match point and fourth tournament win of 2017 for Horn.
Cardona didn’t leave San Antonio empty handed though, as he and Gerardo Franco won the WRT Alamo City doubles title by defeating Rodrigo Montoya and Andree Parrilla, 15-5, 15-14.
The WRT will kick off its 2018 season with the WRT Longhorn Open January 12-14 in Austin, Texas.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Final Sunday
2) David Horn d. 4) Alejandro Cardona, 15-12, 8-15, 11-9
Doubles - Final Sunday
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla, 15-5, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Cardona was the WRT Player of the Year the past two seasons, but in 2017, he only won one tournament.
After dropping the first game, 15-12, Cardona came out strong in game two, as he built up a 9-1 lead. He extended that lead to 13-2 and got to game point at 14-4. But Horn dug in, and as he started to edge closer to Cardona, Cardona called a timeout at 14-7.
Horn was able to score another point when play resumed, but Cardona then got a side out and finished off the game at 15-8.
Game three started slowly, as eight rallies only got them to 1-1. Then Cardona edged ahead at 5-2. But Horn cameback, using primarily backhand lob serves - either straight or Z - to the left side: Cardona’s backhand. When Horn took the lead at 6-5, Cardona called a timeout.
Cardona got the serve back after the timeout, but wasn’t able to score before Horn took the serve back. Horn continued to score, and when the score reached 9-5, Cardona took another timeout.
When play resumed, Horn hit a backhand cross court winner from shoulder high to get his first match point at 10-5. But a Cardona backhand denied Horn the win. Yet Cardona couldn’t score either, so Horn had match point #2, which Cardona again denied with a forehand down the left side.
Then Cardona started scoring. A backhand winner made it 10-6. A forehand pinch, 10-7. Horn skipping a forehand shot made it 10-8. When Cardona hit a backhand cross court winner, making it 10-9, Horn called a timeout.
On the next rally, Cardona made took excellent diving gets, but the second one, which he hit to the ceiling, came back and hit him as he was trying to get out of the way. Match point #3 for Horn, and again Cardona denied him. This time Cardona just flicked his wrist as he hit a backhand pinch shot for a winner.
In the next rally, Horn got a big forehand set up with Cardona forced to the left side of the court, and Horn made no mistake by hitting a winner to the right side.
With his fourth match point, Horn made good with a backhand shot that was tight down the left wall. Fourth match point and fourth tournament win of 2017 for Horn.
Cardona didn’t leave San Antonio empty handed though, as he and Gerardo Franco won the WRT Alamo City doubles title by defeating Rodrigo Montoya and Andree Parrilla, 15-5, 15-14.
The WRT will kick off its 2018 season with the WRT Longhorn Open January 12-14 in Austin, Texas.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Final Sunday
2) David Horn d. 4) Alejandro Cardona, 15-12, 8-15, 11-9
Doubles - Final Sunday
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla, 15-5, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Pratt wins 1st IRT event at 2017 John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions
Charles Pratt won his 1st International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Tier 1 event Saturday night at the 2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, where he grew up playing. Pratt’s win makes him the 36th man to win an IRT event, and the single victory ties him with Ben Croft, Mike Guidry, Brian Hawkes, Tim Sweeney and Rich Wagner.
Pratt defeated Mario Mercado, 11-4, 11-1, 12-10. Mercado’s appearance in an IRT final was the 1st of his career, and the 1st time a South American born player has reached an IRT final. Pratt was only playing his fourth career semi-final today, and Mercado his second semi-final.
Pratt was in control in games one and two, as he jumped out to big leads on Mercado in both games. In game one, Pratt was up 6-0 before Mercado got on the board, and he was up 7-0 in game two.
But Mercado never quit, and in game four he looked like he was going to turn it around. They were close early in the game, tied at 2-2 and 4-4. Then Mercado put together some points to lead 7-4, and 10-6. To that point Mercado hadn’t trailed Pratt.
But Pratt saved game point with a backhand serve return. Two serve return skips by Mercado made the score 10-8 in Mercado’s favour, and he called a timeout to regroup. But that didn’t help, as Pratt hit a drive serve ace to the left side when play resumed, which made the score 10-9.
On his next serve, Pratt drove the ball to the right, and he buried Mercado’s return into the front left corner with his backhand to tie the game 10-10. Pratt drove serve to the left next, and Mercado hit a pinch backhand return that Pratt dove to hit, and made a winner into the front corner. 11-10.
With his first match point, Pratt drove the ball to the left, which began a long rally that included a diving get by Mercado. But Pratt ended the rally with a backhand winner that sealed his 1st IRT victory.
It was an outstanding comeback.
The IRT is now on a break for the holidays. The next IRT Tier 1 event will be the LA Open presented by Coast-to-Coast in Canoga Park, California January 4-7, 2018. That will by followed by the Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota January 18-21.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Final
Charles Pratt d. 8) Mario Mercado, 11-4, 11-1, 12-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Pratt defeated Mario Mercado, 11-4, 11-1, 12-10. Mercado’s appearance in an IRT final was the 1st of his career, and the 1st time a South American born player has reached an IRT final. Pratt was only playing his fourth career semi-final today, and Mercado his second semi-final.
Pratt was in control in games one and two, as he jumped out to big leads on Mercado in both games. In game one, Pratt was up 6-0 before Mercado got on the board, and he was up 7-0 in game two.
But Mercado never quit, and in game four he looked like he was going to turn it around. They were close early in the game, tied at 2-2 and 4-4. Then Mercado put together some points to lead 7-4, and 10-6. To that point Mercado hadn’t trailed Pratt.
But Pratt saved game point with a backhand serve return. Two serve return skips by Mercado made the score 10-8 in Mercado’s favour, and he called a timeout to regroup. But that didn’t help, as Pratt hit a drive serve ace to the left side when play resumed, which made the score 10-9.
On his next serve, Pratt drove the ball to the right, and he buried Mercado’s return into the front left corner with his backhand to tie the game 10-10. Pratt drove serve to the left next, and Mercado hit a pinch backhand return that Pratt dove to hit, and made a winner into the front corner. 11-10.
With his first match point, Pratt drove the ball to the left, which began a long rally that included a diving get by Mercado. But Pratt ended the rally with a backhand winner that sealed his 1st IRT victory.
It was an outstanding comeback.
The IRT is now on a break for the holidays. The next IRT Tier 1 event will be the LA Open presented by Coast-to-Coast in Canoga Park, California January 4-7, 2018. That will by followed by the Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota January 18-21.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Final
Charles Pratt d. 8) Mario Mercado, 11-4, 11-1, 12-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Horn & Cardona into final at 2017 WRT Alamo City Open
David Horn will play Alejandro Cardona in the final of the 2017 World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday. A win will make Horn the #1 player at the year end. He may have already assured him of the #1 rank by just reaching the final, as the current #1 - Rodrigo Montoya - lost to Cardona in the semi-finals, 15-9, 15-8.
Horn survived two close games against surprise semi-finalist Ernesto Ochoa, but then won the tie-breaker by a wide margin, making the final score line 15-14, 14-15, 11-3.
Ochoa had a great tournament, as he was a 1st time semi-finalist, and even a first time quarterfinalist. In the quarters, Ochoa beat WRT #3 Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 9-15, 11-9. Ochoa was up 10-3 on Parrilla, but could not finish him off until his 7th match point.
Cardona and Montoya will face off again, as they’ll face each other in the doubles final Sunday. Cardona and Gerardo Franco defeated Alan Natera and Ochoa, 15-3, 12-15, 11-6, in one semi-final, while Montoya and Andree Parrilla beat Jaime Martell and Ross Smith Jr, 15-6, 15-12, in the other.
The singles final is Sunday at 12:30 PM with the doubles final immediately following it. You can watch the action live on Saturday and Sunday via the WRT website or the WRT Facebook page.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Quarterfinals Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 8) Christian Longoria, 13-15, 15-11, 11-2
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 5) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-10, 15-14
11) Ernesto Ochoa d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 9-15, 11-9
2) David Horn d. 7) Jaime Martell, 15-10, 15-2
Singles - Semi-finals Saturday
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-9, 15-8
2) David Horn d. 11) Ernesto Ochoa, 14-15, 15-14, 11-3
Singles - Final Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 4) Alejandro Cardona v. 2) David Horn - 12:30 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr, 15-6, 15-12
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa, 15-3, 12-15, 11-6
Doubles - Final Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v 2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 1:35 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Horn survived two close games against surprise semi-finalist Ernesto Ochoa, but then won the tie-breaker by a wide margin, making the final score line 15-14, 14-15, 11-3.
Ochoa had a great tournament, as he was a 1st time semi-finalist, and even a first time quarterfinalist. In the quarters, Ochoa beat WRT #3 Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 9-15, 11-9. Ochoa was up 10-3 on Parrilla, but could not finish him off until his 7th match point.
Cardona and Montoya will face off again, as they’ll face each other in the doubles final Sunday. Cardona and Gerardo Franco defeated Alan Natera and Ochoa, 15-3, 12-15, 11-6, in one semi-final, while Montoya and Andree Parrilla beat Jaime Martell and Ross Smith Jr, 15-6, 15-12, in the other.
The singles final is Sunday at 12:30 PM with the doubles final immediately following it. You can watch the action live on Saturday and Sunday via the WRT website or the WRT Facebook page.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Quarterfinals Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 8) Christian Longoria, 13-15, 15-11, 11-2
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 5) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-10, 15-14
11) Ernesto Ochoa d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 9-15, 11-9
2) David Horn d. 7) Jaime Martell, 15-10, 15-2
Singles - Semi-finals Saturday
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-9, 15-8
2) David Horn d. 11) Ernesto Ochoa, 14-15, 15-14, 11-3
Singles - Final Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 4) Alejandro Cardona v. 2) David Horn - 12:30 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr, 15-6, 15-12
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa, 15-3, 12-15, 11-6
Doubles - Final Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v 2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 1:35 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Mercado & Pratt win semis at 2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions
A new International Racquetball Tour (IRT) winner will be crowned Saturday night at the 2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, as Mario Mercado and Charles Pratt won their respective semi-final matches Saturday afternoon. Both Pratt and Mercado are in the final for the first time.
In the semi-finals, Pratt pulled the big upset by knocking off IRT #2 Rocky Carson in five games, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5. Mercado also played a tough match, as he went four games with Samuel Murray, winning 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5.
You can watch the final live Saturday evening at 7 PM PST via the IRT Network.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Mario Mercado d. 5) Samuel Murray, 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5
Charles Pratt d. 2) Rocky Carson, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5
Final - Saturday
8) Mario Mercado v. Charles Pratt - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Pratt pulled the big upset by knocking off IRT #2 Rocky Carson in five games, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5. Mercado also played a tough match, as he went four games with Samuel Murray, winning 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5.
You can watch the final live Saturday evening at 7 PM PST via the IRT Network.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Mario Mercado d. 5) Samuel Murray, 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5
Charles Pratt d. 2) Rocky Carson, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5
Final - Saturday
8) Mario Mercado v. Charles Pratt - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Pratt continues to win at 2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions
Rocky Carson, the #2 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), remains the favourite to win the 2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, after defeating Jose Diaz in the quarterfinals, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8. Carson will face Charles Pratt in the semi-finals, as Pratt was an upset winner against 6th seed Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3.
In the other semi-final, Mario Mercado will face Samuel Murray with each seeking their first career final appearance. Mercado defeated Adam Manilla in three close games, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8, in the quarters. Murray won a marathon match with Tony Carson (no relation to Rocky) after dropping the first two games, so the final scoreline was 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Saturday beginning at noon via the IRT Network, and the final will follow at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Mario Mercado d. Adam Manilla, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8
5) Samuel Murray d. Tony Carson, 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4
Charles Pratt d. 6) Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3
2) Rocky Carson d. Jose Diaz, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Samuel Murray v. 8) Mario Mercado - 1 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. Charles Pratt - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the other semi-final, Mario Mercado will face Samuel Murray with each seeking their first career final appearance. Mercado defeated Adam Manilla in three close games, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8, in the quarters. Murray won a marathon match with Tony Carson (no relation to Rocky) after dropping the first two games, so the final scoreline was 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Saturday beginning at noon via the IRT Network, and the final will follow at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Mario Mercado d. Adam Manilla, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8
5) Samuel Murray d. Tony Carson, 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4
Charles Pratt d. 6) Jansen Allen, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3
2) Rocky Carson d. Jose Diaz, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Samuel Murray v. 8) Mario Mercado - 1 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. Charles Pratt - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
First rounds at 2017 WRT Alamo City Open
Seven of the top eight seeds are through to the quarterfinals in singles at the 2017 World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas, and all four of the top seeds in doubles have made the semi-finals. In singles the exception is 11th seed Ernesto Ochoa who narrowly defeated 6th seed Gerardo Franco, 15-13, 15-14. He’ll play 3rd seed Andree Parrilla in the quarters Saturday.
Top seed Rodrigo Montoya and 2nd seed David Horn remain on track in their bids to finish the year as the #1 WRT player.
The quarterfinals begin Saturday morning at 10:30 AM with the semi-finals Saturday evening at 5 PM and 6:05 PM. The final is set for Sunday at 12:30 PM. You can watch the action live on Saturday and Sunday via the WRT website or the WRT Facebook page.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 32) Glenn Martineau, 15-5, 15-11
16) Eddie Sada d. 17) Ross Smith Jr, 10-15, 15-10, 11-7
9) Francisco Troncoso d. 24) Miguel Escobedo, 15-3, 15-6
8) Christian Longoria d. 25) Micah Farmer, 15-3, 15-6
5) Jake Bredenbeck d. 28) Alan Márquez, 15-1, 15-4
12) Alan Natera d. 21) Brennan Jennings, 15-14, 15-8
13) Hiroshi Shimizu d. 20) Sam Hojat, 15-3, 15-0
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 29) Lorenzo Valdez, 15-2, 15-1
3) Andree Parrilla d. 30) Cayden Akins, 15-9, 15-9
19) A. J. Fernandez d. 14) Erick Fernandez, 15-9, 15-14
11) Ernesto Ochoa d. 22) Elias Nieto, 15-3, 15-5
6) Gerardo Franco d. 27) Raul Valdez, 15-9, 15-7
7) Jaime Martell d. 26) Ruben Martinez, 15-0, 15-10
10) Shai Manzuri d. 23) Craig Clement Jr., 15-7, 15-6
15) Juan Loreto d. 18) Erik Mendoza, 15-10, 15-6
2) David Horn d. 31) Nicholas Pavloski, 15-1, 15-3
Singles - Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 16) Eddie Sada, 15-3, 15-1
8) Christian Longoria d. 9) Francisco Troncoso, 15-12, 15-14
5) Jake Bredenbeck d. 12) Alan Natera, 15-6, 15-9
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 13) Hiroshi Shimizu, 15-5, 15-2
3) Andree Parrilla d. 19) A. J. Fernandez, 15-1, 15-10
11) Ernesto Ochoa d. 6) Gerardo Franco, 15-13, 15-14
7) Jaime Martell d. 10) Shai Manzuri, 15-13, 15-11
2) David Horn d. 15) Juan Loreto, 15-7, 15-7
Singles - Quarterfinals Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 8) Christian Longoria - 1:45 PM
4) Alejandro Cardona v. 5) Jake Bredenbeck - 12:40 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 11) Ernesto Ochoa - 10:30 AM
2) David Horn v. 7) Jaime Martell - 11:35 AM
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
9) Marty Ahumada & Tyler Panozzo d. 8) Tyrone Gilmore & Glenn Martineau, 15-12, 15-14
5) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings - BYE
4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr - BYE
3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa - BYE
6) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valdez d. 11) Ramon Florez & Able Perez, 15-6, 15-5
10) Craig Clement Jr. & Nicholas Pavloski d. 7) James Aguirre & Erik Mendoza, 15-13, 15-14
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 9) Marty Ahumada & Tyler Panozzo, 15-14, 15-9
4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr d. 5) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings, 12-15, 15-11, 11-6
3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa d. 6) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valdez, 15-7, 15-3
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 10) Craig Clement Jr. & Nicholas Pavloski, 15-5, 15-6
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco v. 3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top seed Rodrigo Montoya and 2nd seed David Horn remain on track in their bids to finish the year as the #1 WRT player.
The quarterfinals begin Saturday morning at 10:30 AM with the semi-finals Saturday evening at 5 PM and 6:05 PM. The final is set for Sunday at 12:30 PM. You can watch the action live on Saturday and Sunday via the WRT website or the WRT Facebook page.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 32) Glenn Martineau, 15-5, 15-11
16) Eddie Sada d. 17) Ross Smith Jr, 10-15, 15-10, 11-7
9) Francisco Troncoso d. 24) Miguel Escobedo, 15-3, 15-6
8) Christian Longoria d. 25) Micah Farmer, 15-3, 15-6
5) Jake Bredenbeck d. 28) Alan Márquez, 15-1, 15-4
12) Alan Natera d. 21) Brennan Jennings, 15-14, 15-8
13) Hiroshi Shimizu d. 20) Sam Hojat, 15-3, 15-0
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 29) Lorenzo Valdez, 15-2, 15-1
3) Andree Parrilla d. 30) Cayden Akins, 15-9, 15-9
19) A. J. Fernandez d. 14) Erick Fernandez, 15-9, 15-14
11) Ernesto Ochoa d. 22) Elias Nieto, 15-3, 15-5
6) Gerardo Franco d. 27) Raul Valdez, 15-9, 15-7
7) Jaime Martell d. 26) Ruben Martinez, 15-0, 15-10
10) Shai Manzuri d. 23) Craig Clement Jr., 15-7, 15-6
15) Juan Loreto d. 18) Erik Mendoza, 15-10, 15-6
2) David Horn d. 31) Nicholas Pavloski, 15-1, 15-3
Singles - Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 16) Eddie Sada, 15-3, 15-1
8) Christian Longoria d. 9) Francisco Troncoso, 15-12, 15-14
5) Jake Bredenbeck d. 12) Alan Natera, 15-6, 15-9
4) Alejandro Cardona d. 13) Hiroshi Shimizu, 15-5, 15-2
3) Andree Parrilla d. 19) A. J. Fernandez, 15-1, 15-10
11) Ernesto Ochoa d. 6) Gerardo Franco, 15-13, 15-14
7) Jaime Martell d. 10) Shai Manzuri, 15-13, 15-11
2) David Horn d. 15) Juan Loreto, 15-7, 15-7
Singles - Quarterfinals Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 8) Christian Longoria - 1:45 PM
4) Alejandro Cardona v. 5) Jake Bredenbeck - 12:40 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 11) Ernesto Ochoa - 10:30 AM
2) David Horn v. 7) Jaime Martell - 11:35 AM
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
9) Marty Ahumada & Tyler Panozzo d. 8) Tyrone Gilmore & Glenn Martineau, 15-12, 15-14
5) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings - BYE
4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr - BYE
3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa - BYE
6) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valdez d. 11) Ramon Florez & Able Perez, 15-6, 15-5
10) Craig Clement Jr. & Nicholas Pavloski d. 7) James Aguirre & Erik Mendoza, 15-13, 15-14
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 9) Marty Ahumada & Tyler Panozzo, 15-14, 15-9
4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr d. 5) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings, 12-15, 15-11, 11-6
3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa d. 6) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valdez, 15-7, 15-3
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 10) Craig Clement Jr. & Nicholas Pavloski, 15-5, 15-6
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 4) Jaime Martell & Ross Smith Jr
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco v. 3) Alan Natera & Ernesto Ochoa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, December 1, 2017
Round of 16 at the IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions
Upsets continued in the Round of 16 Friday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, as three of the top four seeds went out. One of those upsets was by injury, as Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, was a late withdrawal from the tournament, which was to the benefit of Adam Manilla, who got the forfeit win over Waselenchuk in the Round of 16. Manilla will play Mario Mercado in the quarterfinals, as Mercado defeated Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10, in the 16s.
Charles Pratt took out IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8, and #4 Daniel De La Rosa suffered the same fate from the racquet of Tony Carson, who won their match, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7. Both Pratt and Carson are former top 10 players, so are not out of left field, but anytime you beat the #3 or #4 player, it’s a big win.
In the quarters, Pratt will play 5th seed Samuel Murray, who was straight game winner over Sunji Spencer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-3, while Carson faces 6th seed Jansen Allen, who beatJustus Benson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Jose Diaz was also an upset winner in the Round of 16, as he ousted 7th seed Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11. The win gets Diaz a showdown with the sole remaining top 4 player in the draw: Rocky Carson, as the IRT #2 beat Mauro Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6, in the 16s.
With the top half of the draw consisting of Mercado versus Manilla and Murray versus T. Carson, a first time finalist is guaranteed. Tony Carson has the most semi-final appearances of the four with 3 semis, while Manilla is playing in the quarterfinals for the first time. Mercado and Murray have both been in the semis once. On the bottom half of the draw, Allen has been a semi-finalist 5 times, Pratt 3 times, and Diaz is only playing his 4th quarterfinal.
In contrast, Rocky Carson has reached the semi-finals 156 times, going on to the finals 96 times (61.5%) and winning the final 25 times. If Vegas is setting a betting line on this tournament, Rocky Carson is the clear favourite.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday afternoon from 5 PM via the IRT Network. The semi-finals will be Noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Round of 16 - Friday
Adam Manilla d. 1) Kane Waselenchuk, injury forfeit
8) Mario Mercado d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10
5) Samuel Murray d. Sunji Spencer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-3
Tony Carson d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
Charles Pratt d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8
6) Jansen Allen d. Justus Benson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Jose Diaz d. 7) Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11
2) Rocky Carson d. Mauro Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Mario Mercado v. Adam Manilla - 7 PM
Tony Carson v. 5) Samuel Murray - 8 PM
6) Jansen Allen v. Charles Pratt - 5 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. Jose Diaz - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Charles Pratt took out IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8, and #4 Daniel De La Rosa suffered the same fate from the racquet of Tony Carson, who won their match, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7. Both Pratt and Carson are former top 10 players, so are not out of left field, but anytime you beat the #3 or #4 player, it’s a big win.
In the quarters, Pratt will play 5th seed Samuel Murray, who was straight game winner over Sunji Spencer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-3, while Carson faces 6th seed Jansen Allen, who beatJustus Benson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Jose Diaz was also an upset winner in the Round of 16, as he ousted 7th seed Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11. The win gets Diaz a showdown with the sole remaining top 4 player in the draw: Rocky Carson, as the IRT #2 beat Mauro Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6, in the 16s.
With the top half of the draw consisting of Mercado versus Manilla and Murray versus T. Carson, a first time finalist is guaranteed. Tony Carson has the most semi-final appearances of the four with 3 semis, while Manilla is playing in the quarterfinals for the first time. Mercado and Murray have both been in the semis once. On the bottom half of the draw, Allen has been a semi-finalist 5 times, Pratt 3 times, and Diaz is only playing his 4th quarterfinal.
In contrast, Rocky Carson has reached the semi-finals 156 times, going on to the finals 96 times (61.5%) and winning the final 25 times. If Vegas is setting a betting line on this tournament, Rocky Carson is the clear favourite.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday afternoon from 5 PM via the IRT Network. The semi-finals will be Noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Round of 16 - Friday
Adam Manilla d. 1) Kane Waselenchuk, injury forfeit
8) Mario Mercado d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10
5) Samuel Murray d. Sunji Spencer, 11-1, 11-4, 11-3
Tony Carson d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
Charles Pratt d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8
6) Jansen Allen d. Justus Benson, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Jose Diaz d. 7) Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11
2) Rocky Carson d. Mauro Rojas, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Mario Mercado v. Adam Manilla - 7 PM
Tony Carson v. 5) Samuel Murray - 8 PM
6) Jansen Allen v. Charles Pratt - 5 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. Jose Diaz - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Qualifying at IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions
A few upsets on Thursday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, but the big news was that Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 IRT player, would miss the event due to a back injury. Waselenchuk was undefeated this season and last, so his absence throws the tournament outcome up in the air, although on most occasions when Waselenchuk has missed an event Rocky Carson, the IRT’s #2 player, has come out on top.
Two five game matches were played Thursday, and in one Sunji Spencer upset Thomas Carter, 11-3, 4-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-3, to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time. In the other, Charles Pratt came back from two games down to defeat Dylan Reid, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5.
Other upset winners were Tony Carson over Scott McClellan, 11-5, 11-1, 11-7, and Mauro Rojas’s defeat of Nicholas Riffel, 7-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-0.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be Noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Q8) Adam Manilla d. John Wolfe, 11-1, 11-1, 11-2
Q1) Robert Collins d. Matthew Goolsby, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0
Sunji Spencer d. Q4) Thomas Carter, 11-3, 4-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-3
Tony Carson d. Q5) Scott McClellan, 11-5, 11-1, 11-7
Q6) Charles Pratt d. Dylan Reid, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5
Q3) Justus Benson d. Tim Prigo, 11-3, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5
Q2) Jose Diaz d. Sam Bredenbeck, 11-0, 12-10, 11-0
Mauro Rojas d. Q7) Nicholas Riffel, 7-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-0
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Adam Manilla - Noon
8) Mario Mercado v. Robert Collins - Noon
5) Samuel Murray v. Sunji Spencer - 1 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Tony Carson - 1 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Charles Pratt - 10 AM
6) Jansen Allen v. Justus Benson - 10 AM
7) Felipe Camacho v. Jose Diaz - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Mauro Rojas - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Two five game matches were played Thursday, and in one Sunji Spencer upset Thomas Carter, 11-3, 4-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-3, to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time. In the other, Charles Pratt came back from two games down to defeat Dylan Reid, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5.
Other upset winners were Tony Carson over Scott McClellan, 11-5, 11-1, 11-7, and Mauro Rojas’s defeat of Nicholas Riffel, 7-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-0.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be Noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Q8) Adam Manilla d. John Wolfe, 11-1, 11-1, 11-2
Q1) Robert Collins d. Matthew Goolsby, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0
Sunji Spencer d. Q4) Thomas Carter, 11-3, 4-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-3
Tony Carson d. Q5) Scott McClellan, 11-5, 11-1, 11-7
Q6) Charles Pratt d. Dylan Reid, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5
Q3) Justus Benson d. Tim Prigo, 11-3, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5
Q2) Jose Diaz d. Sam Bredenbeck, 11-0, 12-10, 11-0
Mauro Rojas d. Q7) Nicholas Riffel, 7-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-0
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Adam Manilla - Noon
8) Mario Mercado v. Robert Collins - Noon
5) Samuel Murray v. Sunji Spencer - 1 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Tony Carson - 1 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Charles Pratt - 10 AM
6) Jansen Allen v. Justus Benson - 10 AM
7) Felipe Camacho v. Jose Diaz - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Mauro Rojas - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, November 30, 2017
2017 WRT Alamo City Open - Preview
The 2017 World Racquetball Tour (WRT) season ends this weekend with the Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas. David Horn can finish #1, if he wins the tournament, but he comes into the event seeded #2 with Rodrigo Montoya #1. Fewer than 200 ranking points separate Horn and Montoya with Andree Parrilla in 3rd about 1200 points behind Horn.
Horn won the last WRT title in Utah, and two of the last three, which is part of how he’s got himself into position to finish the year on top. But the Alamo City field is good with all of the top 10 ranked WRT players set to compete in San Antonio.
The Round of 32 will begin Friday morning with the Round of 16 to follow late Friday afternoon and evening. The quarterfinals begin Saturday morning at 10:30 AM with the semi-finals Saturday evening at 5 PM and 6:05 PM. The final is set for Sunday at 12:30 PM. You can watch the action live on Saturday and Sunday via the WRT website or the WRT Facebook page.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 32) Glenn Martineau
16) Eddie Sada v. 17) Ross Smith Jr
9) Francisco Troncoso v. 24) Miguel Escobedo
8) Christian Longoria v. 25) Micah Farmer
5) Jake Bredenbeck v. 28) Alan Márquez
12) Alan Natera v. 21) Brennan Jennings
13) Hiroshi Shimizu v. 20) Sam Hojat
4) Alejandro Cardona v. 29) Lorenzo Valdez
3) Andree Parrilla v. 30) Cayden Akins
14) Erick Fernandez v. 19) A. J. Fernandez
11) Ernesto Ochoa v. 22) Elias Nieto
6) Gerardo Franco v. 27) Raul Valdez
7) Jaime Martell v. 26) Ruben Martinez
10) Shai Manzuri v. 23) Craig Clement Jr.
15) Juan Loreto v. 18) Erik Mendoza
2) David Horn v. 31) Nicholas Pavloski
Follow the bouncing ball….
Horn won the last WRT title in Utah, and two of the last three, which is part of how he’s got himself into position to finish the year on top. But the Alamo City field is good with all of the top 10 ranked WRT players set to compete in San Antonio.
The Round of 32 will begin Friday morning with the Round of 16 to follow late Friday afternoon and evening. The quarterfinals begin Saturday morning at 10:30 AM with the semi-finals Saturday evening at 5 PM and 6:05 PM. The final is set for Sunday at 12:30 PM. You can watch the action live on Saturday and Sunday via the WRT website or the WRT Facebook page.
2017 WRT Alamo City Open
December 1-3 - San Antonio, Texas
Singles - Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 32) Glenn Martineau
16) Eddie Sada v. 17) Ross Smith Jr
9) Francisco Troncoso v. 24) Miguel Escobedo
8) Christian Longoria v. 25) Micah Farmer
5) Jake Bredenbeck v. 28) Alan Márquez
12) Alan Natera v. 21) Brennan Jennings
13) Hiroshi Shimizu v. 20) Sam Hojat
4) Alejandro Cardona v. 29) Lorenzo Valdez
3) Andree Parrilla v. 30) Cayden Akins
14) Erick Fernandez v. 19) A. J. Fernandez
11) Ernesto Ochoa v. 22) Elias Nieto
6) Gerardo Franco v. 27) Raul Valdez
7) Jaime Martell v. 26) Ruben Martinez
10) Shai Manzuri v. 23) Craig Clement Jr.
15) Juan Loreto v. 18) Erik Mendoza
2) David Horn v. 31) Nicholas Pavloski
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / Tournament of Champions Preview
Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), has been running rampant. He’ll have a chance to continue that rampage this weekend at the John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon. Waselenchuk has surrendered only 12.07 points per match this season (not counting the three matches where his opponent has forfeited), which astonishing. He has dropped a couple of games, after sweeping through all of his matches last season.
Waselenchuk’s record since the US Open in October is jaw dropping, as in five matches (the three forfeit wins have come in the last two events) he’s only allowed 24 points to be scored against him. That’s an average of 1.6 points against per game! Anyone want to argue against Waselenchuk being the best men’s racquetball player of all time?
Nevertheless, there will be 23 other players trying to prevent another Waselenchuk win this weekend in Portland. The field includes the top IRT players, such as #2 Rocky Carson, #3 Alvaro Beltran and #4 Daniel De La Rosa.
Other players of note include former top 10 players Tony Carson and Charles Pratt. Mauro Rojas will also be in Portland off his Boy’s U18 World Junior Championship win earlier this month.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be Noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Q8) Adam Manilla v. John Wolfe
Q1) Robert Collins v. Matthew Goolsby
Q4) Thomas Carter v. Sunji Spencer
Q5) Scott McClellan v. Tony Carson
Q6) Charles Pratt v. Dylan Reid
Q3) Justus Benson v. Tim Prigo
Q2) Jose Diaz v. Sam Bredenbeck
Q7) Nicholas Riffel v. Mauro Rojas
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8 - Noon
8) Mario Mercado v. Q1 - Noon
5) Samuel Murray v. Q4 - 1 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5 - 1 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Jansen Allen v. Q3 - 10 AM
7) Felipe Camacho v. Q2 - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7 - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk’s record since the US Open in October is jaw dropping, as in five matches (the three forfeit wins have come in the last two events) he’s only allowed 24 points to be scored against him. That’s an average of 1.6 points against per game! Anyone want to argue against Waselenchuk being the best men’s racquetball player of all time?
Nevertheless, there will be 23 other players trying to prevent another Waselenchuk win this weekend in Portland. The field includes the top IRT players, such as #2 Rocky Carson, #3 Alvaro Beltran and #4 Daniel De La Rosa.
Other players of note include former top 10 players Tony Carson and Charles Pratt. Mauro Rojas will also be in Portland off his Boy’s U18 World Junior Championship win earlier this month.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be Noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2017 IRT John Pelham Memorial / ProKennex Tournament of Champions, November 30-December 2
Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Q8) Adam Manilla v. John Wolfe
Q1) Robert Collins v. Matthew Goolsby
Q4) Thomas Carter v. Sunji Spencer
Q5) Scott McClellan v. Tony Carson
Q6) Charles Pratt v. Dylan Reid
Q3) Justus Benson v. Tim Prigo
Q2) Jose Diaz v. Sam Bredenbeck
Q7) Nicholas Riffel v. Mauro Rojas
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8 - Noon
8) Mario Mercado v. Q1 - Noon
5) Samuel Murray v. Q4 - 1 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5 - 1 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Jansen Allen v. Q3 - 10 AM
7) Felipe Camacho v. Q2 - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7 - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Bolivans win doubles, Colombians singles at 2017 Bolivarian Games
The conclusion of the 2017 Bolivarian Games in Santa Marta, Colombia confused The Racquetball Blog staff, as some of the teams in Men’s and Women’s Doubles that were in the final were teams that we thought had lost earlier in the medal round, so we weren’t sure why that was. But we’ve been told that two of the Colombian players - Mario Mercado and Adriana Riveros - were ruled ineligible late in the tournament, because they had not met the eligibility requirements. Both Mercado and Riveros were born in Bolivia, and only got their Colombian passports recently. Bolivarian Games rules are that players need to have a passport for the country they are representing for at least three years, which is much longer than Mercado and Riveros have had theirs, so they were disqualified.
Thus, contrary to what we reported a few days ago, Colombia wasn’t in either Men’s or Women’s Doubles final.
Bolivia took advantage of this, and swept the doubles events. On the Men’s side, Bolivians Roland Keller and Conrrado Moscoso beat Luis Perez and Ramon De Leon of the Dominican Republic, 15-1, 15-3, while their team-mates Jenny Daza and Stefanny Barrios won a close match against Guatemalans Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-14, 4-15, 11-9.
In the singles competitions, Colombians swept the finals. Cristina Amaya won the Women’s Singles by defeating Bolivian Jenny Daza, 15-12, 15-11, and Sebastian Franco beat Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia, 15-10, 15-13, to win the Men’s Final.
Overall, Bolivia topped the medal standings with eight total medals: four gold, two silver and two bronze. Colombia was second with four overall: two gold and two bronze. Guatemala won two silver medals, Ecuador one silver and four bronze, and Dominican Republican won one silver and one bronze. Four years ago it was Ecuador who topped the medal standings. The locale for the 2021 Bolivarian Games has not been chosen.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Final - Gold medal match
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-11
Medal Standings
GOLD Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
SILVER Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
BRONZE Carla Muñoz (Chile) & Brenda Laime (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Final - Gold medal match
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) d. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-14, 4-15, 11-9
Medal Standings
GOLD Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia)
SILVER Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
BRONZE Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
WOMEN’S TEAM
Medal Standings
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER Guatemala
BRONZE Colombia & Ecuador
MEN’S SINGLES
Final - Gold medal match
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-13
Medal Standings
GOLD Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
SILVER Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
BRONZE Carlos Keller (Bolivia) & Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Final - Gold medal match
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-3
Medal Standings
GOLD Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
SILVER Ramon De Leon & Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
BRONZE Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) and Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
MEN’S TEAM
Medal Standings
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER Ecuador
BRONZE Colombia & Dominican Republic
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thus, contrary to what we reported a few days ago, Colombia wasn’t in either Men’s or Women’s Doubles final.
Bolivia took advantage of this, and swept the doubles events. On the Men’s side, Bolivians Roland Keller and Conrrado Moscoso beat Luis Perez and Ramon De Leon of the Dominican Republic, 15-1, 15-3, while their team-mates Jenny Daza and Stefanny Barrios won a close match against Guatemalans Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-14, 4-15, 11-9.
In the singles competitions, Colombians swept the finals. Cristina Amaya won the Women’s Singles by defeating Bolivian Jenny Daza, 15-12, 15-11, and Sebastian Franco beat Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia, 15-10, 15-13, to win the Men’s Final.
Overall, Bolivia topped the medal standings with eight total medals: four gold, two silver and two bronze. Colombia was second with four overall: two gold and two bronze. Guatemala won two silver medals, Ecuador one silver and four bronze, and Dominican Republican won one silver and one bronze. Four years ago it was Ecuador who topped the medal standings. The locale for the 2021 Bolivarian Games has not been chosen.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Final - Gold medal match
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-11
Medal Standings
GOLD Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
SILVER Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
BRONZE Carla Muñoz (Chile) & Brenda Laime (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Final - Gold medal match
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) d. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-14, 4-15, 11-9
Medal Standings
GOLD Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia)
SILVER Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
BRONZE Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
WOMEN’S TEAM
Medal Standings
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER Guatemala
BRONZE Colombia & Ecuador
MEN’S SINGLES
Final - Gold medal match
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-13
Medal Standings
GOLD Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
SILVER Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
BRONZE Carlos Keller (Bolivia) & Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Final - Gold medal match
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-3
Medal Standings
GOLD Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
SILVER Ramon De Leon & Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
BRONZE Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) and Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
MEN’S TEAM
Medal Standings
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER Ecuador
BRONZE Colombia & Dominican Republic
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, November 27, 2017
Lambert & Murray win at Canadian Team Selection Event
Frédérique Lambert and Samuel Murray won the Men's and Women's divisions, respectively, at the first Canadian Racquetball National Team Selection Event of the season on the weekend in Vernon, British Columbia. The outcomes are not surprising, as Lambert and Murray are the highest ranked Canadian players on their respective racquetball pro tours.
In the Women’s Final, Lambert defeated veteran Jennifer Saunders, 15-6, 15-4, while Murray beat Tim Landeryou, 15-3, 15-8, in the Men’s Final.
In the women’s semi-finals, Lambert defeated Danielle Drury, 15-11, 15-3, while Saunders needed a tie-breaker to get past Christine Richardson, 15-4, 4-15, 11-8. Murray defeated Coby Iwaasa in one men’s semi, 15-11, 15-8, as Iwaasa made his return to competitive racquetball after a two years away on mission as part of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
Landeryou upset top men’s seed, and Canadian #1, Mike Green in the other men’s semi, 15-17, 15-3, 11-5.
This Selection Event was the first opportunity for players to earn points in the selection process for the 2018 World Championships in China next August. The next Selection Event will be in Kitchener, Ontario, February 2-4, 2018 with the 2018 Canadian National Championships in Winnipeg, May 20-26 2018, serving as the third and final selection event.
2017 Racquetball Canada Selection Event
November 23-26, Vernon, British Columbia
Men's Open
Final
3) Samuel Murray d. 4) Tim Landeryou, 15-3, 15-8
3rd Place
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 1) Mike Green, forfeit
Semi-finals
4) Tim Landeryou d. 1) Mike Green, 15-17, 15-3, 11-5
3) Samuel Murray d. 2) Coby Iwaasa, 15-11, 15-8
Quarterfinals
1) Mike Green d. 8) Nicolas Bousquet, 15-9, 15-6
4) Tim Landeryou d. 5) James Landeryou, 17-15, 15–6
3) Samuel Murray d. 7) Lee Connell, 15-3, 15-8
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 5) Pedro Castro, 18-16, 14-4, forfeit
Women's Open
Final
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 2) Jennifer Saunders, 15-6, 15-4
3rd place
3) Christine Richardson d. 4) Danielle Drury, 15-9, 15-9
Semi-finals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 4) Danielle Drury, 15-11, 15-3
2) Jennifer Saunders d. 3) Christine Richardson, 15-4, 4-15, 11–8
Quarterfinals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 8) Cassie Prentice, 15-8, 15-0
4) Danielle Drury d. 5) Michèle Morissette, 15-11, 15-12
3) Christine Richardson d. 6) Valerie Fallu, 15-2, 15-3
2) Jennifer Saunders d. 7) Erin Geeraert, 15-5, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the Women’s Final, Lambert defeated veteran Jennifer Saunders, 15-6, 15-4, while Murray beat Tim Landeryou, 15-3, 15-8, in the Men’s Final.
In the women’s semi-finals, Lambert defeated Danielle Drury, 15-11, 15-3, while Saunders needed a tie-breaker to get past Christine Richardson, 15-4, 4-15, 11-8. Murray defeated Coby Iwaasa in one men’s semi, 15-11, 15-8, as Iwaasa made his return to competitive racquetball after a two years away on mission as part of the Church of Latter Day Saints.
Landeryou upset top men’s seed, and Canadian #1, Mike Green in the other men’s semi, 15-17, 15-3, 11-5.
This Selection Event was the first opportunity for players to earn points in the selection process for the 2018 World Championships in China next August. The next Selection Event will be in Kitchener, Ontario, February 2-4, 2018 with the 2018 Canadian National Championships in Winnipeg, May 20-26 2018, serving as the third and final selection event.
2017 Racquetball Canada Selection Event
November 23-26, Vernon, British Columbia
Men's Open
Final
3) Samuel Murray d. 4) Tim Landeryou, 15-3, 15-8
3rd Place
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 1) Mike Green, forfeit
Semi-finals
4) Tim Landeryou d. 1) Mike Green, 15-17, 15-3, 11-5
3) Samuel Murray d. 2) Coby Iwaasa, 15-11, 15-8
Quarterfinals
1) Mike Green d. 8) Nicolas Bousquet, 15-9, 15-6
4) Tim Landeryou d. 5) James Landeryou, 17-15, 15–6
3) Samuel Murray d. 7) Lee Connell, 15-3, 15-8
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 5) Pedro Castro, 18-16, 14-4, forfeit
Women's Open
Final
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 2) Jennifer Saunders, 15-6, 15-4
3rd place
3) Christine Richardson d. 4) Danielle Drury, 15-9, 15-9
Semi-finals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 4) Danielle Drury, 15-11, 15-3
2) Jennifer Saunders d. 3) Christine Richardson, 15-4, 4-15, 11–8
Quarterfinals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 8) Cassie Prentice, 15-8, 15-0
4) Danielle Drury d. 5) Michèle Morissette, 15-11, 15-12
3) Christine Richardson d. 6) Valerie Fallu, 15-2, 15-3
2) Jennifer Saunders d. 7) Erin Geeraert, 15-5, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, November 24, 2017
Bolivia in both Women’s & Men’s Finals at 2017 Bolivarian Games
Bolivians have claimed two of the three spots in the Men’s and Women’s Singles gold medal finals at the Bolivarian Games in Santa Marta, Colombia. The Women’s Singles final will be Bolivian Jenny Daza versus Colombian Cristina Amaya, while Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia claimed one of the spots n the Men’s Final with a possibility his team-mate - Carlos Keller - will win the other spot.
On the womeen’s side, Amaya beat Brenda Laime of Bolivia, 15-4, 15-5, in one semi-final, while Daza defeated Carla Muñoz of Chile, 15-11, 15-4, in the other, and on the men’s side, Moscoso needed three games to fend off Ecuador’s Fernando Rios, winning 14-15, 15-4, 11-5. The last semi-final involves Keller and Sebastian Franco of Colombia,
The semi-finals will conclude Friday with the finals Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Brenda Laime (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-11, 15-4
Final - Gold medal match
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-10
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-3
Final - Gold medal match
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
MEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 14-15, 15-4, 11-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-14, 11-15, 11-4
Final - Gold medal match
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-10, 15-3
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-5
Final - Gold medal match
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball….
On the womeen’s side, Amaya beat Brenda Laime of Bolivia, 15-4, 15-5, in one semi-final, while Daza defeated Carla Muñoz of Chile, 15-11, 15-4, in the other, and on the men’s side, Moscoso needed three games to fend off Ecuador’s Fernando Rios, winning 14-15, 15-4, 11-5. The last semi-final involves Keller and Sebastian Franco of Colombia,
The semi-finals will conclude Friday with the finals Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Brenda Laime (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-11, 15-4
Final - Gold medal match
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-10
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-3
Final - Gold medal match
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
MEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 14-15, 15-4, 11-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-14, 11-15, 11-4
Final - Gold medal match
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-10, 15-3
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-5
Final - Gold medal match
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rios into semi-finals at 2017 Bolivarian Games
Fernando Rios of Ecuador is the upset winner so far in Men’s Singles quarterfinals at the 2017 Bolivarian Games in Santa Marta, Colombia, as he defeated Mario Mercado of Colombia, 15-3, 7-15, 11-7. Rios will play Conrrado Moscoso in the semi-finals later Friday, as Moscoso bear Edwin Galicia of Guatemala, 15-7, 15-10, in the quarters.
There were no upsets in the Women’s Singles quarters, although there were some matches with Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) regulars. In one, Colombian Cristina Amaya defeated Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala, 15-8, 15-10, while Carla Muñoz of Chile beat Adriana Riveros of Colombia, 15-7, 15-3, in another.
Bolivian Jenny Daza ended the run of Guatemala’s Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-12, 15-8, and Daza’s team-mate Brenda Laime needed a tie-breaker to defeat Merynanyelly Delgado, 15-6, 14-15, 11-4.
The semi-finals will be played Friday with the finals Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Quarterfinals
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-6, 14-15, 11-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-10
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-12, 15-8
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Adriana Riveros (Colombia), 15-7, 15-3
Semi-finals
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
MEN’S SINGLES
Quarterfinals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-7, 15-10
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Mario Mercado (Colombia), 15-3, 7-15, 11-7
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-10, 15-2
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-4, 15-12
Quarterfinals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball….
There were no upsets in the Women’s Singles quarters, although there were some matches with Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) regulars. In one, Colombian Cristina Amaya defeated Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala, 15-8, 15-10, while Carla Muñoz of Chile beat Adriana Riveros of Colombia, 15-7, 15-3, in another.
Bolivian Jenny Daza ended the run of Guatemala’s Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-12, 15-8, and Daza’s team-mate Brenda Laime needed a tie-breaker to defeat Merynanyelly Delgado, 15-6, 14-15, 11-4.
The semi-finals will be played Friday with the finals Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Quarterfinals
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-6, 14-15, 11-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-10
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-12, 15-8
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Adriana Riveros (Colombia), 15-7, 15-3
Semi-finals
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
MEN’S SINGLES
Quarterfinals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-7, 15-10
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Mario Mercado (Colombia), 15-3, 7-15, 11-7
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-10, 15-2
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-4, 15-12
Quarterfinals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Medal round day one at 2017 Bolivarian Games
The medal round began Thursday at the 2017 Bolivarian Games in Santa Marta, Colombia. There were no big surprises, in general, but another good win in Women’s Singles for Guatemalan Maria Renee Rodriguez who defeated Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 11-15, 15-8, 11-5. She’ll play Jenny Daza of Bolivia in the quarterfinals.
But Muñoz wasn’t winless Thursday, as she and team-mate Lucia Sarmiento came back from a game down, including fighting off match point, to beat Mariana Tobon and Lilian Zea of Venezuela, 7-15, 15-14, 11-5.
The medal round continues in Santa Marta Friday with the quarterfinals and semi-finals in singles and the semi-finals in doubles.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Round of 16
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - BYE
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-9, 15-11
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-11, 15-11
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-1
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 11-15, 15-8, 11-5
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-4, 15-2
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Quarterfinals
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) v. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Adriana Riveros (Colombia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Quarterfinals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - BYE
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-8, 15-8
Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 7-15, 15-14, 11-5
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
MEN’S SINGLES
Round of 16
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-2
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-14, 15-4
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-13
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-1, 15-0
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-4, 15-6
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-, 15-
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-11
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-2, 15-5
Quarterfinals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala)
Mario Mercado (Colombia) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Quarterfinals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-3, 14-15, 11-5
Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-8.
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-8, 15-2
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-1, 15-1
Semi-finals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball….
But Muñoz wasn’t winless Thursday, as she and team-mate Lucia Sarmiento came back from a game down, including fighting off match point, to beat Mariana Tobon and Lilian Zea of Venezuela, 7-15, 15-14, 11-5.
The medal round continues in Santa Marta Friday with the quarterfinals and semi-finals in singles and the semi-finals in doubles.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Round of 16
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - BYE
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-9, 15-11
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-11, 15-11
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-1
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 11-15, 15-8, 11-5
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-4, 15-2
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Quarterfinals
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) v. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Adriana Riveros (Colombia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Quarterfinals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - BYE
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-8, 15-8
Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 7-15, 15-14, 11-5
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Semi-finals
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia)
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
MEN’S SINGLES
Round of 16
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-2
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-14, 15-4
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-13
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-1, 15-0
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-4, 15-6
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-, 15-
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-11
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-2, 15-5
Quarterfinals
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala)
Mario Mercado (Colombia) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Quarterfinals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-3, 14-15, 11-5
Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-8.
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-8, 15-2
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-1, 15-1
Semi-finals
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
2017 Bolivarian Games - Last day of group stage play
Women’s and Men’s Singles group stage matches are through at the 2017 Bolivarian Games in Santa Marta, Colombia. In Women’s Singles, Colombian Cristina Amaya defeated Carla Muñoz of Chile, 15-12, 7-15, 11–6, but we believe Muñoz will still top Group B, although she, Amaya and Guatemala’s Maria Renee Rodriguez were all 1-1 in the group matches. But Muñoz won 3 games and lost 2, while Amaya was 3 & 3, and Rodriguez 2 & 3, so we think that’s the way they will be ranked.
A dramatic match in Group D of Women’s Singles, as Paola Guerra of Venezuela defeated Alejandra Jimenez of the Dominican, 11-15, 15-11, 11-10. With the win, Guerra will be 3rd in the group, behind Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala in first and Adriana Riveros of Colombia, second.
In Men’s Singles, Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia and Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic battled for 1st place in Group A with the the Bolivian Moscoso coming out on top, 7-15, 15-4, 11-2. Another Men’s Singles match that went breaker was a surprise, as Colombian Sebastian Franco was pushed to three games by Venezuelan Luis Zea despite Zea coming into the match winless. But Franco was able to pull out the match in three games, 15-10, 10-15, 11-4.
The group stage wraps up Wednesday, and the medal round begins Thursday. The finals will be Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-14, 3-15, 11-6
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-12, 10-15, 11-4
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 11-15, 15-9, 11-9
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - BYE
Group A - Standings
1. Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - 2-0
2. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 1-1
3. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - 0-2
Group B - Round 1
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 13-15, 15-11, 11-7
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Round 2
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-3, 15-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - BYE
Round 3
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-12, 7-15, 11-6
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group B - Standings
1. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 1-1 (3-2 games)
2. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 1-1 (3-3)
3. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - 1-1 (2-3)
Group C - Round 1
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-7, 15-5
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 10-15, 15-12, 11-4
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-14, 15-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Group C - Standings
1. Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - 2-0
2. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 1-1
3. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - 0-2
Group D - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Adriana Riveros (Colombia), 15-1, 6-15, 11-8
Paola Guerra (Venezuela) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 11-15, 15-11, 11-10
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-3
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-5
Round 3
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-0, 15-0
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-1, 15-9
Group D - Standings
1. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 3-0
2. Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - 2-1
3. Paola Guerra (Venezuela) - 1-2
4. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - 0-3
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-11, 11-9
Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-4
Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-11, 15-13
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - BYE
Group A - Standings
1. Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - 2-0
2. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 1-1
3. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - 0-2
Group B - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-2
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) - BYE
Round 3
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-2
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group B - Standings
1. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - 2-0
2. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) - 1-1
3. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela) - 0-2
MEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-4
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-3, 15-5
Round 2
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-6, 15-2
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 14-15, 15-13, 11-4
Round 3
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 7-15, 15-4, 11-2
Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-6, 15-0
Group A - Standings
1. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 3-0
2. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) - 2-1
3. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 1-2
4. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru) - 0-3
Group B - Round 1
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-11
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-7
Round 2
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-0, 15-6
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-1, 15-2
Round 3
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-10, 10-15, 11-4
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 8-15, 15-0, 11-2
Group B - Standings
1. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-0
2. Fernando Rios (Ecuador) - 2-1
3. Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 1-2
4. Luis Zea (Venezuela) - 0-3
Group C - Round 1
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-5
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-2, 15-0
Round 2
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-3, 15-2
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 10-15, 11-1
Round 3
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) vd Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-14, 15-9
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-1, 15-1
Group C - Standings
1. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 3-0
2. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 2-1
3. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru) - 0-3
Group D - Round 1
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-10, 15-8
Johan Adasme (Chile) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-6
Round 2
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-5, 15-1
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 11-15, 15-12, 11-9
Round 3
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-8, 15-6
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-10
Group D - Standings
1. Mario Mercado (Colombia) - 3-0
2. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 2-1
3. Johan Adasme (Chile) - 1-2
4. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - 0-3
MEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-3
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-0, 15-3
Round 2
Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-6, 15-0
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-3
Round 3
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), forfeit - 15-0, 15-0
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-6, 15-13
Standings
1. Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-0
2. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 2-1
3. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - 0-3
Group B - Round 1
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-10, 15-9
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Round 2
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-6, 15-3
Round 3
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-6, 14-15, 11-7
Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 9-15, 15-11, 11-8
Standings
1. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 3-0
2. Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) - 2-1
3. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela) - 1-2
4. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 0-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
A dramatic match in Group D of Women’s Singles, as Paola Guerra of Venezuela defeated Alejandra Jimenez of the Dominican, 11-15, 15-11, 11-10. With the win, Guerra will be 3rd in the group, behind Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala in first and Adriana Riveros of Colombia, second.
In Men’s Singles, Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia and Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic battled for 1st place in Group A with the the Bolivian Moscoso coming out on top, 7-15, 15-4, 11-2. Another Men’s Singles match that went breaker was a surprise, as Colombian Sebastian Franco was pushed to three games by Venezuelan Luis Zea despite Zea coming into the match winless. But Franco was able to pull out the match in three games, 15-10, 10-15, 11-4.
The group stage wraps up Wednesday, and the medal round begins Thursday. The finals will be Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-14, 3-15, 11-6
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-12, 10-15, 11-4
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 11-15, 15-9, 11-9
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - BYE
Group A - Standings
1. Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - 2-0
2. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 1-1
3. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - 0-2
Group B - Round 1
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 13-15, 15-11, 11-7
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Round 2
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-3, 15-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - BYE
Round 3
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-12, 7-15, 11-6
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group B - Standings
1. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 1-1 (3-2 games)
2. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 1-1 (3-3)
3. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - 1-1 (2-3)
Group C - Round 1
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-7, 15-5
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 10-15, 15-12, 11-4
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-14, 15-5
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Group C - Standings
1. Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - 2-0
2. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 1-1
3. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - 0-2
Group D - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Adriana Riveros (Colombia), 15-1, 6-15, 11-8
Paola Guerra (Venezuela) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 11-15, 15-11, 11-10
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-3
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-5
Round 3
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-0, 15-0
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-1, 15-9
Group D - Standings
1. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 3-0
2. Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - 2-1
3. Paola Guerra (Venezuela) - 1-2
4. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - 0-3
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-11, 11-9
Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-4
Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-11, 15-13
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - BYE
Group A - Standings
1. Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - 2-0
2. Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 1-1
3. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - 0-2
Group B - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-2
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) - BYE
Round 3
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-2
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group B - Standings
1. Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - 2-0
2. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) - 1-1
3. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela) - 0-2
MEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-4
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-3, 15-5
Round 2
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-6, 15-2
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 14-15, 15-13, 11-4
Round 3
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 7-15, 15-4, 11-2
Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-6, 15-0
Group A - Standings
1. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 3-0
2. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) - 2-1
3. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 1-2
4. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru) - 0-3
Group B - Round 1
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-11
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-7
Round 2
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-0, 15-6
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-1, 15-2
Round 3
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-10, 10-15, 11-4
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 8-15, 15-0, 11-2
Group B - Standings
1. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-0
2. Fernando Rios (Ecuador) - 2-1
3. Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 1-2
4. Luis Zea (Venezuela) - 0-3
Group C - Round 1
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-5
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-2, 15-0
Round 2
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-3, 15-2
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 10-15, 11-1
Round 3
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) vd Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-14, 15-9
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-1, 15-1
Group C - Standings
1. Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - 3-0
2. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 2-1
3. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru) - 0-3
Group D - Round 1
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-10, 15-8
Johan Adasme (Chile) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-6
Round 2
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-5, 15-1
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 11-15, 15-12, 11-9
Round 3
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-8, 15-6
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-10
Group D - Standings
1. Mario Mercado (Colombia) - 3-0
2. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 2-1
3. Johan Adasme (Chile) - 1-2
4. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - 0-3
MEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-3
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-0, 15-3
Round 2
Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-6, 15-0
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-3
Round 3
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), forfeit - 15-0, 15-0
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-6, 15-13
Standings
1. Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-0
2. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 2-1
3. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - 0-3
Group B - Round 1
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-10, 15-9
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Round 2
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-6, 15-3
Round 3
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala), 15-6, 14-15, 11-7
Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 9-15, 15-11, 11-8
Standings
1. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 3-0
2. Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) - 2-1
3. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela) - 1-2
4. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 0-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
2017 Bolivarian Games - Group Stage Day 1 & 2
The 2017 Bolivarian Games are going on now in Santa Marta, Colombia. The Bolivarian Games are a quadrennial event (i.e., one that occurs every 4 years) that is a stepping block to the Olympics. The Olympics were last year in Rio, so this is the first year of a new quadrennial. Thus, smaller multi-sport games are occurring this year.
Next year there will be the Central American and Caribbean Games, which is a bigger event than the Bolivarian Games. Then in 2019, the Pan American Games will occur in Lima, Peru, and then in 2020 the Summer Olympics are in Tokyo. Racquetball hasn’t been included in the Olympic Games - yet - (we’ve talked about this issue previously), but it is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and racquetball is a part of these other games.
There are only 8 countries in the event, but there are some high quality players involved. As with other international events, the competition begins with a group stage lasting three days followed by a medal round.
They’ve played two days of the group stage, and there have been some interesting results and several tie-breakers. Perhaps the most interesting result so far is Guatemala’s Maria Renee Rodriguez defeating Colombian Cristina Amaya, 13-15, 15-11, 11-7, in Group B. But Rodriguez may not finish top of the group, because she lost to Carla Muñoz of Chile, 15-3, 15-4. Muñoz and Amaya square off in the last match of the group today, and if Muñoz wins, she’ll top the group. But a win by Amaya and it’ll depend on games won to determine the group finishing order.
The group stage wraps up on Wednesday with the medal round beginning Thursday. The finals will be Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-14, 3-15, 11-6
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-12, 10-15, 11-4
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - BYE
Group B - Round 1
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 13-15, 15-11, 11-7
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Round 2
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-3, 15-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - BYE
Round 3
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group C - Round 1
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-7, 15-5
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 10-15, 15-12, 11-4
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Group D - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Adriana Riveros (Colombia), 15-1, 15-6, 11-8
Paola Guerra (Venezuela) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 11-15, 15-11, 11-10
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-3
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-5
Round 3
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic)
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Paola Guerra (Venezuela)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Maria Jose Muñoz & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-11, 11-9
Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-4
Maria Jose Muñoz & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Jose Muñoz & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic)
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - BYE
Group B - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-2
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) - BYE
Round 3
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) v. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela)
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
MEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-4
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-3, 15-5
Round 2
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-6, 15-2
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 14-15, 15-13, 11-4
Round 3
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Jose Luis Ponce (Peru) v. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala)
Group B - Round 1
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-11
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-7
Round 2
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-0, 15-6
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-1, 15-2
Round 3
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Zea (Venezuela)
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Group C - Round 1
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-5
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-2, 15-0
Round 2
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-3, 15-2
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 10-15, 11-1
Round 3
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) v. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru)
Group D - Round 1
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-10, 15-8
Johan Adasme (Chile) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-6
Round 2
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-5, 15-1
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 11-15, 15-12, 11-9
Round 3
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Johan Adasme (Chile)
Mario Mercado (Colombia) v. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-3
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-0, 15-3
Round 2
Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-6, 15-0
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-3
Round 3
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru)
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Group B - Round 1
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-10, 15-9
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Round 2
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-6, 15-3
Round 3
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Next year there will be the Central American and Caribbean Games, which is a bigger event than the Bolivarian Games. Then in 2019, the Pan American Games will occur in Lima, Peru, and then in 2020 the Summer Olympics are in Tokyo. Racquetball hasn’t been included in the Olympic Games - yet - (we’ve talked about this issue previously), but it is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and racquetball is a part of these other games.
There are only 8 countries in the event, but there are some high quality players involved. As with other international events, the competition begins with a group stage lasting three days followed by a medal round.
They’ve played two days of the group stage, and there have been some interesting results and several tie-breakers. Perhaps the most interesting result so far is Guatemala’s Maria Renee Rodriguez defeating Colombian Cristina Amaya, 13-15, 15-11, 11-7, in Group B. But Rodriguez may not finish top of the group, because she lost to Carla Muñoz of Chile, 15-3, 15-4. Muñoz and Amaya square off in the last match of the group today, and if Muñoz wins, she’ll top the group. But a win by Amaya and it’ll depend on games won to determine the group finishing order.
The group stage wraps up on Wednesday with the medal round beginning Thursday. The finals will be Saturday in Santa Marta, Colombia.
2017 Bolivarian Games - Santa Marta, Colombia
November 20-25, 2017
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-14, 3-15, 11-6
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-12, 10-15, 11-4
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - BYE
Group B - Round 1
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 13-15, 15-11, 11-7
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
Round 2
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-3, 15-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - BYE
Round 3
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group C - Round 1
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-7, 15-5
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 10-15, 15-12, 11-4
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) - BYE
Group D - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Adriana Riveros (Colombia), 15-1, 15-6, 11-8
Paola Guerra (Venezuela) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 11-15, 15-11, 11-10
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Paola Guerra (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-3
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-5
Round 3
Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic)
Adriana Riveros (Colombia) v. Paola Guerra (Venezuela)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Maria Jose Muñoz & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-11, 11-9
Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Round 2
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-4
Maria Jose Muñoz & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Round 3
Maria Jose Muñoz & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez (Dominican Republic)
Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros (Colombia) - BYE
Group B - Round 1
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela) - BYE
Round 2
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-2
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) - BYE
Round 3
Jenny Daza & Stefanny Barrios (Bolivia) v. Mariana Tobon & Lilian Zea (Venezuela)
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
MEN’S SINGLES
Group A - Round 1
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-4
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-3, 15-5
Round 2
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Luis Ponce (Peru), 15-6, 15-2
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 14-15, 15-13, 11-4
Round 3
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Jose Luis Ponce (Peru) v. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala)
Group B - Round 1
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-11
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-7
Round 2
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-0, 15-6
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-1, 15-2
Round 3
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Zea (Venezuela)
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Group C - Round 1
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-5
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-2, 15-0
Round 2
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru), 15-3, 15-2
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 10-15, 11-1
Round 3
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) v. Sebastian Mendiguri Tuesta (Peru)
Group D - Round 1
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-10, 15-8
Johan Adasme (Chile) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-6
Round 2
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Johan Adasme (Chile), 15-5, 15-1
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 11-15, 15-12, 11-9
Round 3
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Johan Adasme (Chile)
Mario Mercado (Colombia) v. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Group A - Round 1
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-3
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-0, 15-3
Round 2
Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-6, 15-0
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-3
Round 3
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Jose Luis Ponce & Oscar Navarro (Peru)
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Luis Perez & Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
Group B - Round 1
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-10, 15-9
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Round 2
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) d. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-2
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-6, 15-3
Round 3
Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (Guatemala) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Johan Adasme & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Ricardo Gomez & Luis Zea (Venezuela)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Waselenchuk wins in St Louis at 2017 IRT Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout
Kane Waselenchuk, the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's:) #1 player won the St. Louis Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout in St. Louis, Missouri Saturday by defeating IRT #2, Rocky Carson, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4, in the final. Waselenchuk's win continues his undefeated season, and puts his tournament winning streak at 19. Saturday's win was the 109th of Waselenchuk's career.
In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk was a forfeit winner over Daniel De La Rosa, while Carson beat Jansen Allen, the 6th seed, 11-7, 11-7, 11-3.
In doubles, Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn won a tie-breaker to defeat Felipe Camacho and Samuel Murray, 12-15, 15-8, 11-8.
The next IRT Tier 1 event will be the Portland Tournament of Champions, November 30 to December 3 in Portland, Oregon.
2017 St. Louis IRT Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout - November 16–18, 2017
St. Louis, Missouri
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, forfeit
2) Rocky Carson d. 6) Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-7, 11-3
Final - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn - BYE
5) Tony Carson & John Scott d. 4) Robert Collins & Justus Benson, 15-12, 15-6
3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray - BYE
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn d. 5) Tony Carson & John Scott, 15-6, 15-9
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray d. 3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel, 15-14, 15-9
IRT Doubles - Final - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn d. 2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray, 12-15, 15-8, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk was a forfeit winner over Daniel De La Rosa, while Carson beat Jansen Allen, the 6th seed, 11-7, 11-7, 11-3.
In doubles, Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn won a tie-breaker to defeat Felipe Camacho and Samuel Murray, 12-15, 15-8, 11-8.
The next IRT Tier 1 event will be the Portland Tournament of Champions, November 30 to December 3 in Portland, Oregon.
2017 St. Louis IRT Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout - November 16–18, 2017
St. Louis, Missouri
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, forfeit
2) Rocky Carson d. 6) Jansen Allen, 11-7, 11-7, 11-3
Final - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 2) Rocky Carson, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn - BYE
5) Tony Carson & John Scott d. 4) Robert Collins & Justus Benson, 15-12, 15-6
3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray - BYE
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn d. 5) Tony Carson & John Scott, 15-6, 15-9
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray d. 3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel, 15-14, 15-9
IRT Doubles - Final - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn d. 2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray, 12-15, 15-8, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Allen into semis at 2017 IRT St Louis Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout
Jansen Allen is into the semi-finals at the 2017 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) St. Louis Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout in St. Louis, Missouri, which is his first semi-final appearance since March. Allen, seeded 6th, got there by upsetting 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7. In the semis, Allen will face IRT #2 Rocky Carson, who was a winner over Sebastian Franco in the quarterfinals on Friday, 11-6, 11-10 [sic], 11-2.
Kane Waselenchuk, the IRT's #1 player, defeated fellow Canadian Samuel Murray, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2, to reach the semis, where he will play IRT #4 Daniel De La Rosa, who needed five games to get past 5th seed David Horn, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 7-11, 11-1.
The semi-finals are Saturday morning at 10 and 11 AM, and will be streamed live via the IRT Network. The final is Saturday night at 7 PM. All times Central.
2017 St. Louis IRT Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout - November 16–18, 2017
St. Louis, Missouri
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Samuel Murray, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) David Horn, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 7-11, 11-1
6) Jansen Allen d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Sebastian Franco, 11-6, 11-10 [sic], 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Jansen Allen - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn - BYE
4) Robert Collins & Justus Benson v. 5) Tony Carson & John Scott - 9 AM
3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Kane Waselenchuk, the IRT's #1 player, defeated fellow Canadian Samuel Murray, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2, to reach the semis, where he will play IRT #4 Daniel De La Rosa, who needed five games to get past 5th seed David Horn, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 7-11, 11-1.
The semi-finals are Saturday morning at 10 and 11 AM, and will be streamed live via the IRT Network. The final is Saturday night at 7 PM. All times Central.
2017 St. Louis IRT Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout - November 16–18, 2017
St. Louis, Missouri
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Samuel Murray, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) David Horn, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 7-11, 11-1
6) Jansen Allen d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Sebastian Franco, 11-6, 11-10 [sic], 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Jansen Allen - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn - BYE
4) Robert Collins & Justus Benson v. 5) Tony Carson & John Scott - 9 AM
3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, November 17, 2017
No upsets in Round of 16 at 2017 IRT St. Louis Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout
Everything went according to form in the Round of 16 at the 2017 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) St. Louis Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout in St. Louis, Missouri, as the higher seeds have won all eight matches with only two going more than three games. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk only needed three games to get past Adam Manilla, winning 11-1, 11-0, 11-0.
Waselenchuk will play 8th seed Samuel Murray in the quarterfinals, as Murray beat Felipe Camacho, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4, in one of the two Round of 16 matches to go four games. In the other, IRT #4 Daniel De La Rosa dropped the first game against Justus Benson, but came back to win in four games, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7, 13-11. Benson was looking good, especially with his drive serve to the left side.
Finally, in a match that we would have thought would go more than three games, David Horn defeated Jake Bredenbeck in three straight games, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4. Horn will play De La Rosa in the quarters later today.
The quarterfinals will be Friday afternoon and evening from 4 PM on, and can be viewed live via the IRT Network. They’ll play both the semi-finals and final on Saturday, so the semis are at 10 and 11 AM with the final at 7 PM. All times Central.
2017 St. Louis IRT Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout - November 16–18, 2017
St. Louis, Missouri
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Adam Manilla, 11-1, 11-0, 11-0
8) Samuel Murray d. Felipe Camacho, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4
5) David Horn d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Justus Benson, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7, 13-11
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Thomas Carter, 11-6, 11-7, 13-11
6) Jansen Allen d. Fabrizio Mora, 11-3, 11-1, 11-0
7) Sebastian Franco d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
2) Rocky Carson d. Nicholas Riffel, 11-7, 11-8, 11-3
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 8) Samuel Murray - 6 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) David Horn - 5 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Jansen Allen - 7 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Sebastian Franco - 4 PM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn - BYE
4) Robert Collins & Justus Benson v. 5) Tony Carson & John Scott - 9 AM
3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk will play 8th seed Samuel Murray in the quarterfinals, as Murray beat Felipe Camacho, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4, in one of the two Round of 16 matches to go four games. In the other, IRT #4 Daniel De La Rosa dropped the first game against Justus Benson, but came back to win in four games, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7, 13-11. Benson was looking good, especially with his drive serve to the left side.
Finally, in a match that we would have thought would go more than three games, David Horn defeated Jake Bredenbeck in three straight games, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4. Horn will play De La Rosa in the quarters later today.
The quarterfinals will be Friday afternoon and evening from 4 PM on, and can be viewed live via the IRT Network. They’ll play both the semi-finals and final on Saturday, so the semis are at 10 and 11 AM with the final at 7 PM. All times Central.
2017 St. Louis IRT Pro Racquetball Winter Rollout - November 16–18, 2017
St. Louis, Missouri
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. Adam Manilla, 11-1, 11-0, 11-0
8) Samuel Murray d. Felipe Camacho, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4
5) David Horn d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Justus Benson, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7, 13-11
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Thomas Carter, 11-6, 11-7, 13-11
6) Jansen Allen d. Fabrizio Mora, 11-3, 11-1, 11-0
7) Sebastian Franco d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
2) Rocky Carson d. Nicholas Riffel, 11-7, 11-8, 11-3
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 8) Samuel Murray - 6 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) David Horn - 5 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Jansen Allen - 7 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Sebastian Franco - 4 PM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Jake Bredenbeck & David Horn - BYE
4) Robert Collins & Justus Benson v. 5) Tony Carson & John Scott - 9 AM
3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
2) Felipe Camacho & Samuel Murray - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
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