Mendez makes her 1st semi, Rajsich her 13th at 2017 UnitedHealthcare US Open

After no upsets in the Round of 16, two of the three quarterfinals so far have been upsets in the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) competition at the 2017 UnitedHealthcare US Open in Minneapolis. Natalia Mendez had the biggest one, as she took out LPRT #2 Jessica Parrilla, 12-10, 3-11, 11-5, 11-1, to reach the US Open for the first time in her career.

The other upset wasn't a real surprise, as the 4 time US Open Champion Rhonda Rajsich defeated Alexandra Herrera, 11-1, 11-6, 11-3. Rajsich was the 5th seed, and Herrera 4th, but Rajsich's 6th win against no losses against the young Mexican left-hander.

Six time defending US Open Champion, Paola Longoria defeated Adriana Riveros, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4. Riveros was up 8-1 in game two, but Longoria found a way back and pull it out, 12-10. So even though Riveros lost in three games, she played well.

Thus, the Longoria-Rajsich rivalry will be renewed on Saturday in the semi-finals. They have met 58 times on tour with Longoria holding the advantage 43-15. But Rajsich did beat Longoria recently, when they met in the final of the 2017 Pan American Championship in April.

In the other semi-final, Mendez will play 3rd seed Frédérique Lambert, who defeated 6th seed Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 11-2, 11-5, in the quarters. It will be the first meeting between them, and on the line is a spot in the US Open final.

The 2017 UnitedHealthcare US Open LPRT semi-finals are Friday at the Life Time Athletic Target Center club in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota with the final on Sunday at 10 AM.

2017 UnitedHealthcare US Open
Minneapolis, Minnesota - October 4-8, 2017

LPRT - Quarterfinals - Friday

1 Paola Longoria d. 9 Adriana Riveros, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4
5 Rhonda Rajsich d. 4 Alexandra Herrera, 11-1, 11-6, 11-3

3 Frédérique Lambert d. 6 Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 11-2, 11-5
7 Natalia Mendez d. 2 Jessica Parrilla, 12-10, 3-11, 11-5, 11-1

LPRT - Semi-inals - Saturday

1 Paola Longoria v. 5 Rhonda Rajsich - 1 PM
3 Frédérique Lambert v. 7 Natalia Mendez - 10 AM

Follow the bouncing ball….