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….
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