Carla Muñoz won Women’s Open at the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina on the weekend by defeating Susana Acosta, 15-2, 15-12, in the final. In the semi-finals, Muñoz beat Sharon Jackson, 15-5, 15-8, and Acosta defeated Kelani Bailey, 15-4, 15-12.
Charlie Pratt won the Men’s Open title in Greenville by defeating Maurice Miller in the final, 15-8, 15-11. Pratt got to the final with a win over Thomas Gerhardt in one semi, 15-13, 15-10, while Miller defeated Allan Crockett, 15-7, 15-5, in the other.
Minot Open
Over in Minot, North Dakota, Sudsy Monchik won the Minot Open, a Tier 5 event on the International Racquetball Tour by defeating Lee Connell in the final, 15-7, 15-8. In the semis, Monchik beat Brian Knowles, 15-7, 15-5, and Connell defeated Justin Johnson, 15-6, 15-0.
Monchik also won Men’s Doubles in Minot with Justin Johnson, as they defeated Connell and Tanner Prentice, 15-9, 15-8, in the final. Monchik and Johnson beat John Koch and Nic Koch, 15-8, 15-5, in the semi-finals, while Connell and Prentice defeated Jeff Jackson and Brian Knowles, 15-6, 15-11.
Coming Up
National tournaments will take center stage the next two weekends. Racquetball Canada has its 2nd National Team Selection Event of the season in Kitchener, Ontario this weekend, February 2-4, while the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship happens in Tempe, Arizona, February 7-11.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
Women’s Open - Final
Carla Muñoz d. Susana Acosta, 15-2, 15-12
Women’s Open - Semi-finals
Carla Muñoz d. Sharon Jackson, 15-5, 15-8
Susana Acosta d. Kelani Bailey, 15-4, 15-12
Women’s Open - Quarterfinals
Carla Muñoz d. Nancy Enriquez, forfeit
Sharon Jackson d. Brenda Laime, 15-7, 15-1
Susana Acosta d. Jen Saunders, 11-15, 15-7, 11-10
Kelani Bailey d. Maria Renee Rodriquez, 15-13, 15-5
Men’s Open - Final
Charlie Pratt d. Maurice Miller, 15-8, 15-11
Men’s Open - Semi-finals
Charlie Pratt d. Thomas Gerhardt, 15-13, 15-10
Maurice Miller d. Allan Crockett, 15-7, 15-5
2018 Minot Open
Minot, North Dakota - January 26-28, 2018
Men’s Open - Final
Sudsy Monchik d. Lee Connell, 15-7, 15-8
Men’s Open - Semi-finals
Sudsy Monchik d. Brian Knowles, 15-7, 15-5
Lee Connell d. Justin Johnson, 15-6, 15-0
Men’s Open Doubles - Final
Sudsy Monchik & Justin Johnson d. Lee Connell & Tanner Prentice, 15-9, 15-8
Men’s Open Doubles - 3rd Place
Jeff Jackson & Brian Knowles d. John Koch & Nic Koch, 15-9, 15-11
Men’s Open Doubles - Semi-finals
Sudsy Monchik & Justin Johnson d. John Koch & Nic Koch, 15-8, 15-5
Lee Connell & Tanner Prentice d. Jeff Jackson & Brian Knowles, 15-6, 15-11
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 29, 2018
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Longoria wins singles & doubles with Herrera at 2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
Paola Longoria won singles and doubles Sunday at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina. She defeated Nancy Enriquez in the singles final, 11-9, 11-7, 11-0, and teamed up with Alexandra Herrera to beat Frédérique Lambert and Samantha Salas, 15-13, 15-5, in the doubles final.
In the singles final, Enriquez was right in the thick of both the first two games. She led early in game one, 4-1, and even though Longoria went up 9-5, Enriquez dug down and came back to tie it at 9-9. Longoria made it 10-9, but Enriquez fought off two game points before Longoria got the 11th point with a backhand pinch shot.
In game two, Longoria had an early lead, 5-2, but the momentum swung to Enriquez as she went ahead 7-5. However, Longoria held her there, and scored six unanswered points to win 11-7.
Enriquez wouldn’t score again, as Longoria breezed through the third game. Indeed, Enriquez only served once in game three. Longoria hit four aces, as she blanked Enriquez, 11-0, in the blink of an eye.
Enriquez was playing her first pro final, and played well overall. But she hit a few loose shots, and didn’t take advantage of some opportunities. Those are things you can’t do against Longoria, because she will take advantage of her opportunities, and capitalize on any loose shots from her opponent.
It looked like Lambert and Salas could win the doubles final, as they came out hot in game one taking a 8-0 lead. But Herrera and Longoria slowly worked their way back into the game. They cut the deficit in half at 10-5, then got within three at 12-9.
When Herrera and Longoria closed it to two points at 13-11, Lambert and Salas called a timeout. But that didn’t stop Herrera and Longoria, who scored four straight points to win game one, 15-13. The 14th point was an avoidable against Lambert, which she appealed but the call was upheld by the line judges. The game winner came as Lambert couldn’t catch up to a ball that took a big bounce off the back wall into the front court.
They were close in game two, and tied at 3-3. But Herrera and Longoria took over from there, going up 6-3. They held a lead and went on to win 15-5. After trailing 8-0 in game one, Herrera and Longoria outscored Lambert and Salas, 33-10.
The next LPRT event will be the Paola Longoria Invitational in Monterrey, Mexico March 2-4 followed the 2018 LPRT Peachtree Open in Atlanta, Georgia the next weekend, March 9-11. If you missed any of the action from Greenville, you can check it out via the LPRT YouTube channel.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Final - Sunday
1 Paola Longoria d. 10 Nancy Enriquez, 11-9, 11-7, 11-0
LPRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria d. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas, 15-13, 15-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the singles final, Enriquez was right in the thick of both the first two games. She led early in game one, 4-1, and even though Longoria went up 9-5, Enriquez dug down and came back to tie it at 9-9. Longoria made it 10-9, but Enriquez fought off two game points before Longoria got the 11th point with a backhand pinch shot.
In game two, Longoria had an early lead, 5-2, but the momentum swung to Enriquez as she went ahead 7-5. However, Longoria held her there, and scored six unanswered points to win 11-7.
Enriquez wouldn’t score again, as Longoria breezed through the third game. Indeed, Enriquez only served once in game three. Longoria hit four aces, as she blanked Enriquez, 11-0, in the blink of an eye.
Enriquez was playing her first pro final, and played well overall. But she hit a few loose shots, and didn’t take advantage of some opportunities. Those are things you can’t do against Longoria, because she will take advantage of her opportunities, and capitalize on any loose shots from her opponent.
It looked like Lambert and Salas could win the doubles final, as they came out hot in game one taking a 8-0 lead. But Herrera and Longoria slowly worked their way back into the game. They cut the deficit in half at 10-5, then got within three at 12-9.
When Herrera and Longoria closed it to two points at 13-11, Lambert and Salas called a timeout. But that didn’t stop Herrera and Longoria, who scored four straight points to win game one, 15-13. The 14th point was an avoidable against Lambert, which she appealed but the call was upheld by the line judges. The game winner came as Lambert couldn’t catch up to a ball that took a big bounce off the back wall into the front court.
They were close in game two, and tied at 3-3. But Herrera and Longoria took over from there, going up 6-3. They held a lead and went on to win 15-5. After trailing 8-0 in game one, Herrera and Longoria outscored Lambert and Salas, 33-10.
The next LPRT event will be the Paola Longoria Invitational in Monterrey, Mexico March 2-4 followed the 2018 LPRT Peachtree Open in Atlanta, Georgia the next weekend, March 9-11. If you missed any of the action from Greenville, you can check it out via the LPRT YouTube channel.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Final - Sunday
1 Paola Longoria d. 10 Nancy Enriquez, 11-9, 11-7, 11-0
LPRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria d. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas, 15-13, 15-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Longoria & Enriquez win semis at 2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
Paola Longoria and Nancy Enriquez will face off Sunday in the final of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina. Enriquez will be playing in her first LPRT final, while Longoria - the #1 LPRT player - will be in her 94th final.
Despite the difference in finals experience, they had similar paths to the final, as both dropped the first game of their respective semi-final matches, and then came back to win in four games. Longoria beat Alexandra Herrera, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5, and Enriquez defeated Jessica Parrilla, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-1.
Longoria has a chance to win both singles and doubles, as she and Herrera beat Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-7, 15-2. They will meet Frédérique Lambert and Samantha Salas in the final, as Lambert and Salas defeated Parrilla and Carla Muñoz in the other semi, 15-4, 15-13.
Adding to the intrigue of the doubles final, Longoria and Salas have been a successful doubles team for many years, including three World Championships and two Pan American Games gold medals. But Sunday they will be playing against each other, and playing on the same side of the court, as both have been on the right side in Greenville. Longoria usually played the left side with Salas, but Herrera is a left-handed player, so Longoria’s on the right this weekend. It will be interesting to see how they serve to each other.
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 or the LPRT on Facebook.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 5 Alexandra Herrera, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 3 Jessica Parrilla, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-1
LPRT Singles - Final - Sunday
1 Paola Longoria v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 11 AM
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria d. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-7, 15-2
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas d. 2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla, 15-4, 15-13
LPRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Despite the difference in finals experience, they had similar paths to the final, as both dropped the first game of their respective semi-final matches, and then came back to win in four games. Longoria beat Alexandra Herrera, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5, and Enriquez defeated Jessica Parrilla, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-1.
Longoria has a chance to win both singles and doubles, as she and Herrera beat Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-7, 15-2. They will meet Frédérique Lambert and Samantha Salas in the final, as Lambert and Salas defeated Parrilla and Carla Muñoz in the other semi, 15-4, 15-13.
Adding to the intrigue of the doubles final, Longoria and Salas have been a successful doubles team for many years, including three World Championships and two Pan American Games gold medals. But Sunday they will be playing against each other, and playing on the same side of the court, as both have been on the right side in Greenville. Longoria usually played the left side with Salas, but Herrera is a left-handed player, so Longoria’s on the right this weekend. It will be interesting to see how they serve to each other.
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 or the LPRT on Facebook.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 5 Alexandra Herrera, 6-11, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 3 Jessica Parrilla, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-1
LPRT Singles - Final - Sunday
1 Paola Longoria v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 11 AM
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria d. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-7, 15-2
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas d. 2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla, 15-4, 15-13
LPRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Herrera beats Lambert to reach semi-finals at 2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
Alexandra Herrera, seeded 5th, upset 4th seed Frédérique Lambert, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5, in the quarterfinals of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina. She’ll play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the semi-finals, as Longoria beat Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2, in the quarters. Their match will be a battle of doubles partners, as Herrera and Longoria have teamed up to play together this weekend.
On the other side of the draw, Nancy Enriquez defeated Eleni Guzman, 11-1, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, in the quarters to advance to the semi-finals for only the second time in her career. The last time she was in a semi-final was February of 2011 in Miami, where she lost to Longoria. Guzman had leads in both games three and four at 6-3, but Enriquez came back in both to win them.
Today, Enriquez will play Jessica Parrilla, who outlasted Samantha Salas over five games, winning 5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 10-12, 11-2.
The semi-finals will be 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 or the LPRT on Facebook.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 9 Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2
5 Alexandra Herrera d. 4 Frédérique Lambert, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 6 Samantha Salas, 5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 10-12, 11-2
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 15 Eleni Guzman, 11-1, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 5 Alexandra Herrera - 5 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 4 PM
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla v. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
On the other side of the draw, Nancy Enriquez defeated Eleni Guzman, 11-1, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, in the quarters to advance to the semi-finals for only the second time in her career. The last time she was in a semi-final was February of 2011 in Miami, where she lost to Longoria. Guzman had leads in both games three and four at 6-3, but Enriquez came back in both to win them.
Today, Enriquez will play Jessica Parrilla, who outlasted Samantha Salas over five games, winning 5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 10-12, 11-2.
The semi-finals will be 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 or the LPRT on Facebook.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria d. 9 Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2
5 Alexandra Herrera d. 4 Frédérique Lambert, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 6 Samantha Salas, 5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 10-12, 11-2
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 15 Eleni Guzman, 11-1, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8
LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 5 Alexandra Herrera - 5 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 4 PM
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla v. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 26, 2018
Upsets in Round of 16 at 2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
Nancy Enriquez or Eleni Guzman will be in the semi-finals of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina, as they both pulled off big upsets in the Round of 16 Friday and will play each other in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Guzman, the 15th seed, had the bigger win Friday, as she knocked off 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9, while 10th seed Enriquez upset 7th seed Natalia Mendez, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 [sic].
The other higher seeds all won their matches, except for the 8/9 match, where 9th seed Carla Muñoz defeated 8th seed Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10. Muñoz will play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the quarters, as Longoria beat 17th seed Cassandra Lee, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1, in the 16s.
In what might have been the match of the tournament, two LPRT event winners went toe-to-toe with Samantha Salas narrowly defeating Maria Vargas, 11-3, 12-10, 7-11, 11-13, 11-9. Salas will play 3rd seed Jessica Parrilla in the quarters as Parrilla beat Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, in a match that was closer than the scores indicate.
Vargas almost got revenge on Salas for the singles loss in their doubles match, as Vargas and Natalia Mendez went breaker with Salas and Frédérique Lambert, but Salas and Lambert squeaked it out, winning 5-15, 15-7, 11-10. Salas and Lambert got to match point first at 10-8, but two winners by Mendez - a forehand touch shot and a backhand roll out - denied them.
Vargas and Mendez called time out, and then cut the lead to one when Lambert skipped a shot, and tied it on a Vargas forehand roll out. But on the next rally - their first match point - Vargas hit a forehand into floor, which made it half down. Then Lambert made amends for her skip with a winner on the the next rally, so she and Salas were back in the service box.
On their 3rd match point, Vargas denied Lambert and Salas with a backhand kill shot. But the next rally ended when Salas rolled a forehand reverse pinch shot out of the left corner for the match winner.
In the semi-finals, Lambert and Salas will play 2nd seeds Carla Muñoz and Jessica Parrilla, who also needed a tie-breaker to advance against 7th seeds Susana Acosta and Eleni Guzman, 15-3, 9-15, 11-3.
The quarterfinals will be Saturday morning (10 AM & 11 AM EST) 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.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Cassandra Lee, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
9 Carla Muñoz d. 8 Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10
5 Alexandra Herrera d. 12 Susana Acosta, 11-9, 11-1, 11-0
4 Frédérique Lambert d. 13 Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-13, 11-8, 11-1, 11-1
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 14 Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6
6 Samantha Salas d. 22 Maria Vargas, 11-3, 12-10, 7-11, 11-13, 11-9
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 7 Natalia Mendez, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 [sic]
15 Eleni Guzman d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 9 Carla Muñoz - 11 AM
4 Frédérique Lambert v. 5 Alexandra Herrera - 11 AM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 6 Samantha Salas - 10 AM
10 Nancy Enriquez v. 15 Eleni Guzman - 10 AM
LPRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson, 15-4, 15-8
5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt, 15-3, 13-15, 11-2
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas v. 6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas, 15-5, 7-15, 11-10
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla d. 7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman, 15-3, 9-15, 11-3
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla v. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
The other higher seeds all won their matches, except for the 8/9 match, where 9th seed Carla Muñoz defeated 8th seed Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10. Muñoz will play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the quarters, as Longoria beat 17th seed Cassandra Lee, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1, in the 16s.
In what might have been the match of the tournament, two LPRT event winners went toe-to-toe with Samantha Salas narrowly defeating Maria Vargas, 11-3, 12-10, 7-11, 11-13, 11-9. Salas will play 3rd seed Jessica Parrilla in the quarters as Parrilla beat Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, in a match that was closer than the scores indicate.
Vargas almost got revenge on Salas for the singles loss in their doubles match, as Vargas and Natalia Mendez went breaker with Salas and Frédérique Lambert, but Salas and Lambert squeaked it out, winning 5-15, 15-7, 11-10. Salas and Lambert got to match point first at 10-8, but two winners by Mendez - a forehand touch shot and a backhand roll out - denied them.
Vargas and Mendez called time out, and then cut the lead to one when Lambert skipped a shot, and tied it on a Vargas forehand roll out. But on the next rally - their first match point - Vargas hit a forehand into floor, which made it half down. Then Lambert made amends for her skip with a winner on the the next rally, so she and Salas were back in the service box.
On their 3rd match point, Vargas denied Lambert and Salas with a backhand kill shot. But the next rally ended when Salas rolled a forehand reverse pinch shot out of the left corner for the match winner.
In the semi-finals, Lambert and Salas will play 2nd seeds Carla Muñoz and Jessica Parrilla, who also needed a tie-breaker to advance against 7th seeds Susana Acosta and Eleni Guzman, 15-3, 9-15, 11-3.
The quarterfinals will be Saturday morning (10 AM & 11 AM EST) 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.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Cassandra Lee, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
9 Carla Muñoz d. 8 Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10
5 Alexandra Herrera d. 12 Susana Acosta, 11-9, 11-1, 11-0
4 Frédérique Lambert d. 13 Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-13, 11-8, 11-1, 11-1
3 Jessica Parrilla d. 14 Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6
6 Samantha Salas d. 22 Maria Vargas, 11-3, 12-10, 7-11, 11-13, 11-9
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 7 Natalia Mendez, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 [sic]
15 Eleni Guzman d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9
LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1 Paola Longoria v. 9 Carla Muñoz - 11 AM
4 Frédérique Lambert v. 5 Alexandra Herrera - 11 AM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 6 Samantha Salas - 10 AM
10 Nancy Enriquez v. 15 Eleni Guzman - 10 AM
LPRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson, 15-4, 15-8
5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt, 15-3, 13-15, 11-2
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas v. 6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas, 15-5, 7-15, 11-10
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla d. 7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman, 15-3, 9-15, 11-3
LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla v. 3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Round of 32 at 2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
Two upsets, three tie-breakers and four donuts came out of the Round of 32 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina Friday. The upsets were not surprising. The biggest one had 22nd seed Maria Vargas defeat 11th seed Adrienne Haynes, 11-1, 11-9, 11-4, but Vargas has been as high as #2 in the LPRT rankings, so that outcome isn’t surprising.
The other upset was in the 16/17 match, as 17th seed Cassandra Lee came out on top, but needed five games to defeat Cecilia Pratt, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9. Lee’s reward for the win is a meeting with LPRT #1 Paola Longoria.
The other two tie-breakers were won by Maria Renee Rodriguez and Sheryl Lotts. Rodriguez needed to come back from two games down to get past Hannah Shnurman, 3-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6. Lotts had the opposite task, as she won the first two games against Brenda Laime, but then dropped the next two before pulling it out in the breaker, winning 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 3-11, 11-8.
The Round of 16 begins Friday afternoon at 3 PM EST. 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.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Cassandra Lee d. 16 Cecilia Pratt, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9
9 Carla Muñoz d. 24 Jen Saunders, 11-7, 11-7, 11-0
8 Cristina Amaya d. 25 Anita Maldonado, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Susana Acosta d. 21 Amie Brewer, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6
13 Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 20 Hannah Shnurman, 3-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
4 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Sheryl Lotts d. 19 Brenda Laime, 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 3-11, 11-8
22 Maria Vargas d. 11 Adrianne Haynes, 11-1, 11-9, 11-4
6 Samantha Salas - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 23 Robin Whitmire, 11-0, 11-0, 11-2
15 Eleni Guzman d. 18 Jennifer Dering, 11-0, 11-3, 11-2
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Cassandra Lee - 6 PM
8 Cristina Amaya v. 9 Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
5 Alexandra Herrera v. 12 Susana Acosta - 3 PM
4 Frédérique Lambert v. 13 Maria Renee Rodriguez - 3 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 14 Sheryl Lotts - 4 PM
6 Samantha Salas v. 22 Maria Vargas - 4 PM
7 Natalia Mendez v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 5 PM
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Eleni Guzman - 5 PM
LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria - BYE
9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson d. 8 Daniela Molina & Masiel Rivera, 15-8, 15-8
5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt - BYE
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - BYE
6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas - BYE
7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman - BYE
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson
4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt v. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas v. 6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla v. 7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman
Follow the bouncing ball….
The other upset was in the 16/17 match, as 17th seed Cassandra Lee came out on top, but needed five games to defeat Cecilia Pratt, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9. Lee’s reward for the win is a meeting with LPRT #1 Paola Longoria.
The other two tie-breakers were won by Maria Renee Rodriguez and Sheryl Lotts. Rodriguez needed to come back from two games down to get past Hannah Shnurman, 3-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6. Lotts had the opposite task, as she won the first two games against Brenda Laime, but then dropped the next two before pulling it out in the breaker, winning 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 3-11, 11-8.
The Round of 16 begins Friday afternoon at 3 PM EST. 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.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Cassandra Lee d. 16 Cecilia Pratt, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9
9 Carla Muñoz d. 24 Jen Saunders, 11-7, 11-7, 11-0
8 Cristina Amaya d. 25 Anita Maldonado, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Susana Acosta d. 21 Amie Brewer, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6
13 Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 20 Hannah Shnurman, 3-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
4 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Sheryl Lotts d. 19 Brenda Laime, 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 3-11, 11-8
22 Maria Vargas d. 11 Adrianne Haynes, 11-1, 11-9, 11-4
6 Samantha Salas - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez d. 23 Robin Whitmire, 11-0, 11-0, 11-2
15 Eleni Guzman d. 18 Jennifer Dering, 11-0, 11-3, 11-2
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Cassandra Lee - 6 PM
8 Cristina Amaya v. 9 Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
5 Alexandra Herrera v. 12 Susana Acosta - 3 PM
4 Frédérique Lambert v. 13 Maria Renee Rodriguez - 3 PM
3 Jessica Parrilla v. 14 Sheryl Lotts - 4 PM
6 Samantha Salas v. 22 Maria Vargas - 4 PM
7 Natalia Mendez v. 10 Nancy Enriquez - 5 PM
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Eleni Guzman - 5 PM
LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria - BYE
9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson d. 8 Daniela Molina & Masiel Rivera, 15-8, 15-8
5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt - BYE
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - BYE
6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas - BYE
7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman - BYE
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria v. 9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson
4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt v. 5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas v. 6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla v. 7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 25, 2018
2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Preview
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) is back this weekend with the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina. It’s a Grand Slam event, so a large field of players has been attracted to Greenville, including the top 8 LPRT players headlined by LPRT #1 Paola Longoria. Samantha Salas will make her season debut after recovering from shoulder surgery she had immediately following her win at the last LPRT event of last season back in June.
Also notable, Rhonda Rajsich is now the #2 LPRT player, with Jessica Parrilla #3 and Frédérique Lambert #4. Lambert’s ranking has slipped despite being a finalist in the last three LPRT events, but she missed the first two events of the year due to medical school commitments. Finally, Maria Vargas, former LPRT #2, is also in the draw.
There are some notable pairings in doubles starting with Lambert and Salas. Salas has been Longoria’s partner for most of the last decade, but not this week, as she is hooking up with Lambert while Longoria plays with Alexandra Herrera.
Additionally, American Kelani Bailey and Sharon Jackson are in the doubles draw, although neither are playing singles. Perhaps they are using the event as preparation for the USA Racquetball Doubles Championship happening next month in Tempe, Arizona.
The tournament starts Friday morning with the Round of 32. The Round of 16 will be Friday afternoon. 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.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 Cecilia Pratt v. 17 Cassandra Lee - Noon
9 Carla Muñoz v. 24 Jen Saunders - Noon
8 Cristina Amaya v. 25 Anita Maldonado - Noon
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Susana Acosta v. 21 Amie Brewer - 10 AM
13 Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 20 Hannah Shnurman - 10 AM
4 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Sheryl Lotts v. 19 Brenda Laime - 10 AM
11 Adrianne Haynes v. 22 Maria Vargas - 11 AM
6 Samantha Salas - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez v. 23 Robin Whitmire - 11 AM
15 Eleni Guzman v. 18 Jennifer Dering - 11 AM
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria - BYE
8 Daniela Molina & Masiel Rivera v. 9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson - 4 PM
5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt - BYE
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - BYE
6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas - BYE
7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman - BYE
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Also notable, Rhonda Rajsich is now the #2 LPRT player, with Jessica Parrilla #3 and Frédérique Lambert #4. Lambert’s ranking has slipped despite being a finalist in the last three LPRT events, but she missed the first two events of the year due to medical school commitments. Finally, Maria Vargas, former LPRT #2, is also in the draw.
There are some notable pairings in doubles starting with Lambert and Salas. Salas has been Longoria’s partner for most of the last decade, but not this week, as she is hooking up with Lambert while Longoria plays with Alexandra Herrera.
Additionally, American Kelani Bailey and Sharon Jackson are in the doubles draw, although neither are playing singles. Perhaps they are using the event as preparation for the USA Racquetball Doubles Championship happening next month in Tempe, Arizona.
The tournament starts Friday morning with the Round of 32. The Round of 16 will be Friday afternoon. 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.
2018 Sweet Caroline Open
Greenville, South Carolina - January 25-28, 2018
LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 Cecilia Pratt v. 17 Cassandra Lee - Noon
9 Carla Muñoz v. 24 Jen Saunders - Noon
8 Cristina Amaya v. 25 Anita Maldonado - Noon
5 Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12 Susana Acosta v. 21 Amie Brewer - 10 AM
13 Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 20 Hannah Shnurman - 10 AM
4 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
3 Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14 Sheryl Lotts v. 19 Brenda Laime - 10 AM
11 Adrianne Haynes v. 22 Maria Vargas - 11 AM
6 Samantha Salas - BYE
7 Natalia Mendez - BYE
10 Nancy Enriquez v. 23 Robin Whitmire - 11 AM
15 Eleni Guzman v. 18 Jennifer Dering - 11 AM
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1 Alexandra Herrera & Paola Longoria - BYE
8 Daniela Molina & Masiel Rivera v. 9 Kelani Bailey & Sharon Jackson - 4 PM
5 Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
4 Cristina Amaya & Cecilia Pratt - BYE
3 Frédérique Lambert & Samantha Salas - BYE
6 Natalia Mendez & Maria Vargas - BYE
7 Susana Acosta & Eleni Guzman - BYE
2 Carla Muñoz & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 22, 2018
Weekend Round Up - Franco wins IRT Futures Singles, Fernandez & Portillo Future Doubles
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) had Futures divisions at this past weekend’s 40th annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sebastian Franco won the Futures Singles division by defeating Alejandro Cardona, 9-15, 15-13, 11-9, while Mexican teens Sebastian Fernandez and Eduardo Portillo took the Future Doubles title with a win over Canadian James Landeryou and Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 10-15, 11-7.
2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
This week’s big event is the 2018 Sweet Caroline Open, a Grand Slam on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), in Greenville, South Carolina. There are 29 players entered in the event, including the top 8 LPRT players, and Samantha Salas will be making her season debut after having shoulder surgery following her victory in the last LPRT event of last season.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
IRT Futures Final
1) Sebastian Franco d. 14) Alejandro Cardona, 9-15, 15-13, 11-9
IRT Futures Semi-finals
1) Sebastian Franco d. 12) Tim Landeryou, 9-15, 15-9, 11-9
14) Alejandro Cardona d. 7) Gerardo Franco, forfeit
IRT Futures Quarterfinals
1) Sebastian Franco d. 9) Sebastian Fernandez, 14-15, 15-13, 11-3
12) Tim Landeryou d. 13) Dylan Reid, 6-15, 15-8, 11-4
14) Alejandro Cardona d. 11) Mauro Rojas, 15-1, 15-3
7) Gerardo Franco d. 18) Eduardo Portillo, 15-8, 15-8
IRT Futures Doubles Final
7) Sebastian Fernandez & Eduardo Portillo d. 5) James Landeryou & Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 10-15, 11-7
IRT Futures Doubles Semi-finals
5) James Landeryou & Tim Landeryou d. 1) Tommy Murray & Samuel Murray, 12-15, 15-9, 11-10
7) Sebastian Fernandez & Eduardo Portillo d. 3) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
2018 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
This week’s big event is the 2018 Sweet Caroline Open, a Grand Slam on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), in Greenville, South Carolina. There are 29 players entered in the event, including the top 8 LPRT players, and Samantha Salas will be making her season debut after having shoulder surgery following her victory in the last LPRT event of last season.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
IRT Futures Final
1) Sebastian Franco d. 14) Alejandro Cardona, 9-15, 15-13, 11-9
IRT Futures Semi-finals
1) Sebastian Franco d. 12) Tim Landeryou, 9-15, 15-9, 11-9
14) Alejandro Cardona d. 7) Gerardo Franco, forfeit
IRT Futures Quarterfinals
1) Sebastian Franco d. 9) Sebastian Fernandez, 14-15, 15-13, 11-3
12) Tim Landeryou d. 13) Dylan Reid, 6-15, 15-8, 11-4
14) Alejandro Cardona d. 11) Mauro Rojas, 15-1, 15-3
7) Gerardo Franco d. 18) Eduardo Portillo, 15-8, 15-8
IRT Futures Doubles Final
7) Sebastian Fernandez & Eduardo Portillo d. 5) James Landeryou & Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 10-15, 11-7
IRT Futures Doubles Semi-finals
5) James Landeryou & Tim Landeryou d. 1) Tommy Murray & Samuel Murray, 12-15, 15-9, 11-10
7) Sebastian Fernandez & Eduardo Portillo d. 3) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Landa wins 1st IRT title at 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro-Am
Alejandro Landa became the latest man to win an International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event Sunday, when he defeated Daniel De La Rosa, 15-6, 7-15, 11-10, to win the 40th annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. De La Rosa was the defending Lewis Drug champion, and was looking to win back to back IRT events, as he won the Los Angeles Open earlier this month. Instead, De La Rosa becomes the first player to lose a final by only one point since the IRT adopted the win by one rule at the start of 2018.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Landa of the win. “I can’t describe what I’m feeling right now. It was emotional. I cried a little bit. I think I’m going to cry more.”
“This is the best feeling ever,” he added. “This is why I train.”
The first two games were lop-sided, although after De La Rosa took a 6-0 lead in game two, Landa did tie it at 6-6. However, De La Rosa held Landa to only one point from there, outscoring him 9-1, to win game two, 15-7, and force a tie-breaker.
It looked like the tie-breaker wouldn’t be close either, as De La Rosa took a 6-0 lead again. Landa had scored a point, making it 2-1, but after De La Rosa scored his fifth point, Landa hit the ball in anger and the ball hit De La Rosa, so Landa was assessed a technical, which meant losing a point making the score 5-0.
De La Rosa made it 6-0, and Landa called a timeout. Coming back from the timeout, Landa got a side out, and then scored three points to cut De La Rosa’s lead in half, 6-3. They traded side outs, then Landa made the score 6-5.
They were back and forth from there, but De La Rosa was the only one scoring, and reached match point at 10-6 with a great forehand reverse pinch shot. Landa prevented De La Rosa’s win with a forehand kill shot in the front court.
With the serve back, Landa got his seventh point with a forehand pinch shot from the left side. Two more forehand winners - a forehand pinch, and a kill - got him to 10-9. Landa tied the match with a drive serve ace to the left side - De La Rosa’s backhand.
At 10-10, Landa hit another drive serve to the left with De La Rosa returning it with a ceiling ball. Landa drove a backhand down the left side, and De La Rosa tried rekilling it. But he left it up, which allowed Landa to kill it with his backhand to claim his first IRT title.
Asked what he was thinking when he served at 10-10, Landa said jokingly “I tried to ace him again,” but then added “I tried to make the serve in a good spot and put him in a defensive position.” And that’s how it turned out, as De La Rosa’s return was a ceiling ball that Landa was able to shoot, and it led to his winner.
Landa is the 37th man to win an IRT event, and did it in just the 4th all-Mexican final. De La Rosa has been in all four of those finals, and now has a record of 2-2.
Landa is the second 1st time winner on the IRT this season. The last season there were two 1st time winners was in 2011-12, when Jose Rojas and Ben Croft won back to back events. Before that you need to go back to the 2001-02 season, when Kane Waselenchuk and Jack Huczek won their first IRT events.
Landa was the 8th seed in singles, and the 8th seed in doubles also won, as Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya defeated 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, 15-13, 15-12, Sunday. Also like Landa, it’s the first doubles win for both Mar and Montoya. It’s also the third time Bredenbeck and Diaz have come up short in a final this season.
The IRT will play next in two months at the 33rd Annual Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois, March 15-18, 2018. If you missed any of this weekend’s action, check out the IRT Facebook page or the IRT Network where the matches are archived.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final - Sunday
8) Alejandro Landa d. 2) Daniel De La Rosa, 15-6, 7-15, 11-10
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Sunday
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-13, 15-12
Follow the bouncing ball….
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Landa of the win. “I can’t describe what I’m feeling right now. It was emotional. I cried a little bit. I think I’m going to cry more.”
“This is the best feeling ever,” he added. “This is why I train.”
The first two games were lop-sided, although after De La Rosa took a 6-0 lead in game two, Landa did tie it at 6-6. However, De La Rosa held Landa to only one point from there, outscoring him 9-1, to win game two, 15-7, and force a tie-breaker.
It looked like the tie-breaker wouldn’t be close either, as De La Rosa took a 6-0 lead again. Landa had scored a point, making it 2-1, but after De La Rosa scored his fifth point, Landa hit the ball in anger and the ball hit De La Rosa, so Landa was assessed a technical, which meant losing a point making the score 5-0.
De La Rosa made it 6-0, and Landa called a timeout. Coming back from the timeout, Landa got a side out, and then scored three points to cut De La Rosa’s lead in half, 6-3. They traded side outs, then Landa made the score 6-5.
They were back and forth from there, but De La Rosa was the only one scoring, and reached match point at 10-6 with a great forehand reverse pinch shot. Landa prevented De La Rosa’s win with a forehand kill shot in the front court.
With the serve back, Landa got his seventh point with a forehand pinch shot from the left side. Two more forehand winners - a forehand pinch, and a kill - got him to 10-9. Landa tied the match with a drive serve ace to the left side - De La Rosa’s backhand.
At 10-10, Landa hit another drive serve to the left with De La Rosa returning it with a ceiling ball. Landa drove a backhand down the left side, and De La Rosa tried rekilling it. But he left it up, which allowed Landa to kill it with his backhand to claim his first IRT title.
Asked what he was thinking when he served at 10-10, Landa said jokingly “I tried to ace him again,” but then added “I tried to make the serve in a good spot and put him in a defensive position.” And that’s how it turned out, as De La Rosa’s return was a ceiling ball that Landa was able to shoot, and it led to his winner.
Landa is the 37th man to win an IRT event, and did it in just the 4th all-Mexican final. De La Rosa has been in all four of those finals, and now has a record of 2-2.
Landa is the second 1st time winner on the IRT this season. The last season there were two 1st time winners was in 2011-12, when Jose Rojas and Ben Croft won back to back events. Before that you need to go back to the 2001-02 season, when Kane Waselenchuk and Jack Huczek won their first IRT events.
Landa was the 8th seed in singles, and the 8th seed in doubles also won, as Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya defeated 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, 15-13, 15-12, Sunday. Also like Landa, it’s the first doubles win for both Mar and Montoya. It’s also the third time Bredenbeck and Diaz have come up short in a final this season.
The IRT will play next in two months at the 33rd Annual Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois, March 15-18, 2018. If you missed any of this weekend’s action, check out the IRT Facebook page or the IRT Network where the matches are archived.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final - Sunday
8) Alejandro Landa d. 2) Daniel De La Rosa, 15-6, 7-15, 11-10
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Sunday
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-13, 15-12
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 20, 2018
De La Rosa & Landa to meet in an all Mexican final at the IRT 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro-Am
Daniel De La Rosa will have a chance to do what few players done: win back to back events on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), when he takes the court in the final of the 40th annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. De La Rosa, who won the Los Angeles Open earlier this month, advanced to the final with a win over fellow Mexican Alvaro Beltran, 15-13, 6-15, 11-10.
Beltran is the first player to lose by only one point in a semi-final since the IRT adopted the win by one rule at the start of 2018.
Beltran got to 10 first in the breaker by using his patented high lob serve along the right side wall. But at 10-9, De La Rosa hit it early, putting a forehand pinch shot into the right corner for a winner.
De La Rosa tied the game at 10-10 with a solid backhand shot that was the third shot of a rally he started with a drive serve to Beltran’s backhand. De La Rosa won it on the next rally with a backhand pinch shot after Beltran had made a great dive to hit a backhand ceiling ball and keep the rally going.
Standing in De La Rosa’s way on Sunday will be another Mexican: Alejandro Landa, who defeated Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-7, in the other semi-final on Saturday. This will be the fourth IRT final between two Mexicans. The first three were all between De La Rosa and Beltran with De La Rosa winning the most recent ones (in 2017 & 2014) and Beltran winning the first (2013).
In fact, the Lewis Drug Pro-Am is the first IRT event to have an all Mexican final twice, as De La Rosa and Beltran were in the final last year, when De La Rosa took the title.
If De La Rosa wins Sunday, he’ll have four IRT titles, and move past a tie with Beltran and others into a tie with Steve Keeley, Gregg Peck and Steve Serot on the career wins list. But Landa could become the 37th man to win an IRT event, and it would be the second 1st time winner in the last three events.
The last time there were two 1st time winners close together was 2012, when Jose Rojas and Ben Croft won back to back events. Before that you need to got back to 2001 to 2002 when Kane Waselenchuk and then Jack Huczek won their first IRT events, which was within in the span of four events.
Back in the period of 1989 to 1991, there were eight 1st time winners over only thirteen events (8 in 13!). First time winners during that period were Mike Ray, Drew Kachtik, Tim Doyle, Tim Sweeney, Andy Roberts, Jack Newman, Dan Obremski, and Brian Hawkes. Those were the only wins for Sweeney and Hawkes, while Newman and Obremski only won one other time.
Also worth noting: this was the first IRT event with no USA players in the semi-finals. And that’s without Kane Waslenchuk, a Canadian and the #1 IRT player, in in the draw. There have been many times when only one of the four semi-finalists has been from the USA. Perhaps the first time was at Pro Nationals in Las Vegas in 2004, when Waselenchuk defeated Beltran in the final, and the semi-finalists were Mike Green from Canada, and the USA’s Jason Mannino.
There were two good semi-finals in doubles as well, and one upset, as 8th seeds Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya beat 4th seeds Jansen Allen and Felipe Camacho, 15-10, 15-12. Mar and Montoya will take on 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final Sunday, as Bredenbeck and Diaz outlasted 6th seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas over three games, 15-11, 11-15, 11-5.
The singles final will be on the IRT Network at 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final at noon.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Alejandro Landa d. 5) Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-7
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 15-13, 6-15, 11-10
Final - Sunday
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Alejandro Landa - 11 AM
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho, 15-10, 15-12
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas, 15-11, 11-15, 11-5
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Sunday
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya
Follow the bouncing ball….
Beltran is the first player to lose by only one point in a semi-final since the IRT adopted the win by one rule at the start of 2018.
Beltran got to 10 first in the breaker by using his patented high lob serve along the right side wall. But at 10-9, De La Rosa hit it early, putting a forehand pinch shot into the right corner for a winner.
De La Rosa tied the game at 10-10 with a solid backhand shot that was the third shot of a rally he started with a drive serve to Beltran’s backhand. De La Rosa won it on the next rally with a backhand pinch shot after Beltran had made a great dive to hit a backhand ceiling ball and keep the rally going.
Standing in De La Rosa’s way on Sunday will be another Mexican: Alejandro Landa, who defeated Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-7, in the other semi-final on Saturday. This will be the fourth IRT final between two Mexicans. The first three were all between De La Rosa and Beltran with De La Rosa winning the most recent ones (in 2017 & 2014) and Beltran winning the first (2013).
In fact, the Lewis Drug Pro-Am is the first IRT event to have an all Mexican final twice, as De La Rosa and Beltran were in the final last year, when De La Rosa took the title.
If De La Rosa wins Sunday, he’ll have four IRT titles, and move past a tie with Beltran and others into a tie with Steve Keeley, Gregg Peck and Steve Serot on the career wins list. But Landa could become the 37th man to win an IRT event, and it would be the second 1st time winner in the last three events.
The last time there were two 1st time winners close together was 2012, when Jose Rojas and Ben Croft won back to back events. Before that you need to got back to 2001 to 2002 when Kane Waselenchuk and then Jack Huczek won their first IRT events, which was within in the span of four events.
Back in the period of 1989 to 1991, there were eight 1st time winners over only thirteen events (8 in 13!). First time winners during that period were Mike Ray, Drew Kachtik, Tim Doyle, Tim Sweeney, Andy Roberts, Jack Newman, Dan Obremski, and Brian Hawkes. Those were the only wins for Sweeney and Hawkes, while Newman and Obremski only won one other time.
Also worth noting: this was the first IRT event with no USA players in the semi-finals. And that’s without Kane Waslenchuk, a Canadian and the #1 IRT player, in in the draw. There have been many times when only one of the four semi-finalists has been from the USA. Perhaps the first time was at Pro Nationals in Las Vegas in 2004, when Waselenchuk defeated Beltran in the final, and the semi-finalists were Mike Green from Canada, and the USA’s Jason Mannino.
There were two good semi-finals in doubles as well, and one upset, as 8th seeds Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya beat 4th seeds Jansen Allen and Felipe Camacho, 15-10, 15-12. Mar and Montoya will take on 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final Sunday, as Bredenbeck and Diaz outlasted 6th seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas over three games, 15-11, 11-15, 11-5.
The singles final will be on the IRT Network at 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final at noon.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Alejandro Landa d. 5) Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-7
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 15-13, 6-15, 11-10
Final - Sunday
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Alejandro Landa - 11 AM
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho, 15-10, 15-12
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas, 15-11, 11-15, 11-5
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Sunday
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 19, 2018
Landa upsets Carson in quarterfinals of 2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am
Friday night was not a good night to be a #1 seed at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 40th annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as the #1 seeds in both singles and doubles lost their semi-final matches. In singles, top seed Rocky Carson was upset by 8th seed Alejandro Landa in a long match that ended, 15-14, 11-15, 11-4, for Landa.
The first game was close the whole way with Carson always slightly ahead of Landa until the end, when Landa tied it at 12-12. Then he got to 14 first, leading 14-13. But Carson called a timeout, and then fought off game point, and tied it at 14-14 when Landa skipped a backhand shot.
But Landa made good with a backhand on the next rally, and Carson returned the favour as he skipped a backhand to end the game at 15-14 for Landa. Carson wanted to appeal the call, but was out of appeals, yet the call seemed correct.
In the second game, Landa seemed like he would win in two straight games, as he was up 10-4. But Carson is the IRT’s #2 player for a reason, and he outscored Landa 11-1 the rest of the game to win it 15-11 and force a breaker.
But that was a small consolation for Carson, as Landa won game three by a comfortable margin at 11-4.
In doubles, Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa were the top seeds, but fell to fellow Mexicans Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya, 15-12, 15-8.
Yet Beltran and De La Rosa won their singles matches, and will play each other in the semi-finals Saturday. Beltran beat Sebastian Franco, 15-7, 15-4, and De La Rosa defeated David Horn, 15-12, 15-12.
The other semi will also be a match between doubles partners, as Landa will play Samuel Murray, who outlasted Montoya over three games, 15-10, 5-15, 11-5. In the breaker, Montoya had the early lead at 5-3, but Murray scored eight unanswered points to carry the day.
And also like Beltran and De La Rosa, Landa and Murray lost their quarterfinal doubles match, losing to Jansen Allen and Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 15-9. Allen and Camacho will play Mar and Montoya in the semis.
The other doubles semi-final will see 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz face off with 10th seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas. Both teams survived close quarterfinal matches. Bredenbeck and Diaz needed three games to overcome Alejandro Cardona and Gerardo Franco, 13-15, 15-12, 11-8, while Horn and Rojas won two close games against Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado, 15-14, 15-12.
The semi-finals will be on the IRT Network at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles semi-finals are Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Alejandro Landa d. 1) Rocky Carson, 15-14, 11-15, 11-4
5) Samuel Murray d. Rodrigo Montoya, 15-10, 5-15, 11-5
3) Alvaro Beltran d. 6) Sebastian Franco, 15-7, 15-4
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. David Horn, 15-12, 15-12
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Samuel Murray v. 8) Alejandro Landa - Noon
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 3) Alvaro Beltran - 1 PM
IRT Doubles Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa, 15-12, 15-8
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho d. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray, 15-13, 15-9
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas d. 3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado, 15-14, 15-12
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco, 13-15, 15-12, 11-8
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho v. 8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 3 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - 4 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
The first game was close the whole way with Carson always slightly ahead of Landa until the end, when Landa tied it at 12-12. Then he got to 14 first, leading 14-13. But Carson called a timeout, and then fought off game point, and tied it at 14-14 when Landa skipped a backhand shot.
But Landa made good with a backhand on the next rally, and Carson returned the favour as he skipped a backhand to end the game at 15-14 for Landa. Carson wanted to appeal the call, but was out of appeals, yet the call seemed correct.
In the second game, Landa seemed like he would win in two straight games, as he was up 10-4. But Carson is the IRT’s #2 player for a reason, and he outscored Landa 11-1 the rest of the game to win it 15-11 and force a breaker.
But that was a small consolation for Carson, as Landa won game three by a comfortable margin at 11-4.
In doubles, Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa were the top seeds, but fell to fellow Mexicans Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya, 15-12, 15-8.
Yet Beltran and De La Rosa won their singles matches, and will play each other in the semi-finals Saturday. Beltran beat Sebastian Franco, 15-7, 15-4, and De La Rosa defeated David Horn, 15-12, 15-12.
The other semi will also be a match between doubles partners, as Landa will play Samuel Murray, who outlasted Montoya over three games, 15-10, 5-15, 11-5. In the breaker, Montoya had the early lead at 5-3, but Murray scored eight unanswered points to carry the day.
And also like Beltran and De La Rosa, Landa and Murray lost their quarterfinal doubles match, losing to Jansen Allen and Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 15-9. Allen and Camacho will play Mar and Montoya in the semis.
The other doubles semi-final will see 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz face off with 10th seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas. Both teams survived close quarterfinal matches. Bredenbeck and Diaz needed three games to overcome Alejandro Cardona and Gerardo Franco, 13-15, 15-12, 11-8, while Horn and Rojas won two close games against Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado, 15-14, 15-12.
The semi-finals will be on the IRT Network at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles semi-finals are Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Alejandro Landa d. 1) Rocky Carson, 15-14, 11-15, 11-4
5) Samuel Murray d. Rodrigo Montoya, 15-10, 5-15, 11-5
3) Alvaro Beltran d. 6) Sebastian Franco, 15-7, 15-4
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. David Horn, 15-12, 15-12
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Samuel Murray v. 8) Alejandro Landa - Noon
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 3) Alvaro Beltran - 1 PM
IRT Doubles Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa, 15-12, 15-8
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho d. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray, 15-13, 15-9
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas d. 3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado, 15-14, 15-12
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco, 13-15, 15-12, 11-8
IRT Doubles Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho v. 8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 3 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - 4 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2018 IRT 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro-Am - Round of 16
Top seed Rocky Carson is through to the quarterfinals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 40th annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota after defeating Javier Mar in the Round of 16, 15-6, 15-14. Mar had a chance to win game two, serving at 14-13, but Carson denied him.
Carson will play Alejandro Landa in the quarterfinals later on Friday, as Landa defeated Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 3-15, 11-6, in the 16s.
Two upsets and two tie-breakers in the Round of 16, and one of those was the same match, as David Horn came back from a game down to defeat 7th seed Mario Mercado, 8-15, 15-3, 11-9. Horn will play 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa in the quarters, as De La Rosa beat Nicholas Riffel, 15-7, 15-10, in the 16s.
Rodrigo Montoya had the other upset as he beat 4th seed Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-5. The win puts Montoya into the quarters against 5th seed Samuel Murray, who needed three games to get by Jose Diaz, 15-9, 12-15, 11-9.
The last quarterfinal will be 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran versus 6th seed Sebastian Franco, as Beltran beat Gerardo Franco (no relation to Sebastian), 15-13, 15-9, and Sebastian Franco defeated Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-12.
The quarterfinals will be on the IRT Network from 5 PM on Friday with the semi-finals at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday evening with the semi-finals Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. Javier Mar, 15-6, 15-14
8) Alejandro Landa d. Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 3-15, 11-6
5) Samuel Murray d. Jose Diaz, 15-9, 12-15, 11-9
Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-5
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Gerardo Franco, 15-13, 15-9
6) Sebastian Franco d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-12
David Horn d. 7) Mario Mercado, 8-15, 15-3, 11-9
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-7, 15-10
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. 8) Alejandro Landa - 5 PM
5) Samuel Murray v. Rodrigo Montoya - 6 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Sebastian Franco - 5 PM
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. David Horn - 6 PM
IRT Doubles Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 9) Taylor Knoth & Dylan Reid, 15-13, 15-9
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho - BYE
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado - BYE
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas d. 11) Michael Phillips & Tyler Thielen, 15-3, 15-9
10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 7) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel, 15-2, 12-15, 11-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
IRT Doubles Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 8 PM
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - 7 PM
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - 8 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Carson will play Alejandro Landa in the quarterfinals later on Friday, as Landa defeated Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 3-15, 11-6, in the 16s.
Two upsets and two tie-breakers in the Round of 16, and one of those was the same match, as David Horn came back from a game down to defeat 7th seed Mario Mercado, 8-15, 15-3, 11-9. Horn will play 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa in the quarters, as De La Rosa beat Nicholas Riffel, 15-7, 15-10, in the 16s.
Rodrigo Montoya had the other upset as he beat 4th seed Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-5. The win puts Montoya into the quarters against 5th seed Samuel Murray, who needed three games to get by Jose Diaz, 15-9, 12-15, 11-9.
The last quarterfinal will be 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran versus 6th seed Sebastian Franco, as Beltran beat Gerardo Franco (no relation to Sebastian), 15-13, 15-9, and Sebastian Franco defeated Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-12.
The quarterfinals will be on the IRT Network from 5 PM on Friday with the semi-finals at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday evening with the semi-finals Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. Javier Mar, 15-6, 15-14
8) Alejandro Landa d. Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 3-15, 11-6
5) Samuel Murray d. Jose Diaz, 15-9, 12-15, 11-9
Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-5
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Gerardo Franco, 15-13, 15-9
6) Sebastian Franco d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-12
David Horn d. 7) Mario Mercado, 8-15, 15-3, 11-9
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-7, 15-10
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. 8) Alejandro Landa - 5 PM
5) Samuel Murray v. Rodrigo Montoya - 6 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Sebastian Franco - 5 PM
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. David Horn - 6 PM
IRT Doubles Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 9) Taylor Knoth & Dylan Reid, 15-13, 15-9
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho - BYE
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado - BYE
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas d. 11) Michael Phillips & Tyler Thielen, 15-3, 15-9
10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 7) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel, 15-2, 12-15, 11-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
IRT Doubles Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 8 PM
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - 7 PM
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - 8 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 18, 2018
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am - Qualifying results
Thursday International Racquetball Tour (IRT) qualifying rounds at the 40th annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota are through, and there were a few surprises by the seedings. The biggest upset was Tim Landeryou’s win over 9th seed Felipe Camacho, 15-8, 15-13, but Landeryou is a veteran of Canadian National Team, so not a real surprise. Landeryou will play 8th seed Alejandro Landa in the Round of 16 on Friday.
Robert Collins, the 13th seed, lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Taylor Knoth, 15-12, 15-6. But Knoth failed to reach the 16s, as he lost to Rodrigo Montoya, 15-6, 15-3, in the 2nd round of qualifying. Montoya will play 4th seed Jansen Allen in the Round of 16 Friday.
Two other smaller upsets were caused by Gerardo Franco and Nicholas Riffel. Franco, seeded 19th, defeated 14th seed Justus Benson, 15-6, 15-6, and faces Alvaro Beltran in the 16s. Eighteenth seed Riffel beat 15th seed Thomas Carter, 15-11, 15-9, and plays 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa on Friday.
The IRT Network will have the action from Sioux Falls starting with the Round of 16 on Friday morning at 9 and 10 AM Central with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The semi-finals will be at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday evening with the semi-finals Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday afternoon
Javier Mar d. James Landeryou, 15-5, 15-7
Scott McClellan d. Tyler Thielen, 15-9, 15-3
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Tim Landeryou d. Dylan Reid, 15-14, 8-15, 11-2
Sebastian Fernandez d. Matthew Majxner, 12-15, 15-5, 11-5
Jose Diaz d. Tommy Murray, 15-9, 15-0
Taylor Knoth d. Robert Collins, 15-12, 15-6
Rodrigo Montoya d. Tanner Prentice, 15-6, 15-8
Gerardo Franco d. Eduardo Portillo, 15-9, 15-9
Justus Benson d. Michael Phillips, 15-3, 15-5
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Francisco Troncoso d. Lee Connell, 15-8, 15-2
Alejandro Cardona d. Mauro Rojas, 10-15, 15-8, 11-3
David Horn - BYE
Thomas Carter d. Jeff Zomer, 15-8, 15-5
Nicholas Riffel d. Justin Johnson, 15-6, 15-7
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday night
Q8) Javier Mar d. Scott McClellan, 15-4, 15-6
Q1) Tim Landeryou d. Felipe Camacho, 15-8, 15-13
Q4) Jose Diaz d. Sebastian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-10
Q5) Rodrigo Montoya d. Taylor Knoth, 15-6, 15-3
Q6) Gerardo Franco d. Justus Benson, 15-6, 15-6
Q3) Jake Bredenbeck d. Francisco Troncoso, 15-2, 15-4
Q2) David Horn d. Alejandro Cardona, 15-11, 8-15, 11-1
Q7) Nicholas Riffel d. Thomas Carter, 15-11, 15-9
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Javier Mar
8) Alejandro Landa v. Tim Landeryou
5) Samuel Murray v. Jose Diaz
4) Jansen Allen v. Rodrigo Montoya
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Gerardo Franco
6) Sebastian Franco v. Jake Bredenbeck
7) Mario Mercado v. David Horn
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. Nicholas Riffel
IRT Doubles Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 9) Taylor Knoth & Dylan Reid - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho - BYE
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado - BYE
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 11) Michael Phillips & Thyler Thielen - Noon
7) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 11 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Robert Collins, the 13th seed, lost in the 1st round of qualifying to Taylor Knoth, 15-12, 15-6. But Knoth failed to reach the 16s, as he lost to Rodrigo Montoya, 15-6, 15-3, in the 2nd round of qualifying. Montoya will play 4th seed Jansen Allen in the Round of 16 Friday.
Two other smaller upsets were caused by Gerardo Franco and Nicholas Riffel. Franco, seeded 19th, defeated 14th seed Justus Benson, 15-6, 15-6, and faces Alvaro Beltran in the 16s. Eighteenth seed Riffel beat 15th seed Thomas Carter, 15-11, 15-9, and plays 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa on Friday.
The IRT Network will have the action from Sioux Falls starting with the Round of 16 on Friday morning at 9 and 10 AM Central with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The semi-finals will be at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday evening with the semi-finals Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday afternoon
Javier Mar d. James Landeryou, 15-5, 15-7
Scott McClellan d. Tyler Thielen, 15-9, 15-3
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Tim Landeryou d. Dylan Reid, 15-14, 8-15, 11-2
Sebastian Fernandez d. Matthew Majxner, 12-15, 15-5, 11-5
Jose Diaz d. Tommy Murray, 15-9, 15-0
Taylor Knoth d. Robert Collins, 15-12, 15-6
Rodrigo Montoya d. Tanner Prentice, 15-6, 15-8
Gerardo Franco d. Eduardo Portillo, 15-9, 15-9
Justus Benson d. Michael Phillips, 15-3, 15-5
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Francisco Troncoso d. Lee Connell, 15-8, 15-2
Alejandro Cardona d. Mauro Rojas, 10-15, 15-8, 11-3
David Horn - BYE
Thomas Carter d. Jeff Zomer, 15-8, 15-5
Nicholas Riffel d. Justin Johnson, 15-6, 15-7
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday night
Q8) Javier Mar d. Scott McClellan, 15-4, 15-6
Q1) Tim Landeryou d. Felipe Camacho, 15-8, 15-13
Q4) Jose Diaz d. Sebastian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-10
Q5) Rodrigo Montoya d. Taylor Knoth, 15-6, 15-3
Q6) Gerardo Franco d. Justus Benson, 15-6, 15-6
Q3) Jake Bredenbeck d. Francisco Troncoso, 15-2, 15-4
Q2) David Horn d. Alejandro Cardona, 15-11, 8-15, 11-1
Q7) Nicholas Riffel d. Thomas Carter, 15-11, 15-9
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Javier Mar
8) Alejandro Landa v. Tim Landeryou
5) Samuel Murray v. Jose Diaz
4) Jansen Allen v. Rodrigo Montoya
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Gerardo Franco
6) Sebastian Franco v. Jake Bredenbeck
7) Mario Mercado v. David Horn
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. Nicholas Riffel
IRT Doubles Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 9) Taylor Knoth & Dylan Reid - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho - BYE
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado - BYE
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 11) Michael Phillips & Thyler Thielen - Noon
7) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 11 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am - Preview
The 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am takes place this weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) won’t be there, because the knee injury that caused him to default the final of the Los Angeles Open earlier this month is still bothering him. Thus, Rocky Carson is the #1 seed in Sioux Falls with Daniel De La Rosa - the Los Angeles Open winner - the #2 seed.
With 37 players, the 2018 Lewis Drug Pro-Am has one of the largest fields on the IRT with 10 of the top 12 IRT players in the field. They will also be playing doubles in Sioux Falls with De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran as the top seeds, and Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz as 2nd seeds.
The IRT Network will have the action from Sioux Falls starting with the Round of 16 on Friday morning at 9 and 10 AM Central with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The semi-finals will be at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday evening with the semi-finals Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday afternoon
Javier Mar v. James Landeryou
Scott McClellan v. Tyler Thielen
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Tim Landeryou v. Dylan Reid
Sebastian Fernandez v. Matthew Majxner
Jose Diaz v. Tommy Murray
Robert Collins v. Taylor Knoth
Rodrigo Montoya v. Tanner Prentice
Gerardo Franco v. Eduardo Portillo
Justus Benson v. Michael Phillips
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Lee Connell v. Francisco Troncoso
Mauro Rojas v. Alejandro Cardona
David Horn - BYE
Thomas Carter v. Jeff Zomer
Nicholas Riffel v. Justin Johnson
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday night
Q8) Javier Mar or James Landeryou v. Scott McClellan or Tyler Thielen
Q1) Felipe Camacho v. Tim Landeryou or Dylan Reid
Q4) Sebastian Fernandez or Matthew Majxner v. Jose Diaz or Tommy Murray
Q5) Robert Collins or Taylor Knoth v. Rodrigo Montoya or Tanner Prentice
Q6) Gerardo Franco or Eduardo Portillo v. Justus Benson or Michael Phillips
Q3) Jake Bredenbeck v. Lee Connell or Francisco Troncoso
Q2) David Horn v. Mauro Rojas or Alejandro Cardona
Q7) Thomas Carter or Jeff Zomer v. Nicholas Riffel or Justin Johnson
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Q8
8) Alejandro Landa v. Q1
5) Samuel Murray v. Q4
4) Jansen Allen v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Sebastian Franco v. Q3
7) Mario Mercado v. Q2
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q7
IRT Doubles Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 9) Taylor Knoth & Dylan Reid - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho - BYE
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado - BYE
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 11) Michael Phillips & Thyler Thielen - Noon
7) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 11 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
With 37 players, the 2018 Lewis Drug Pro-Am has one of the largest fields on the IRT with 10 of the top 12 IRT players in the field. They will also be playing doubles in Sioux Falls with De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran as the top seeds, and Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz as 2nd seeds.
The IRT Network will have the action from Sioux Falls starting with the Round of 16 on Friday morning at 9 and 10 AM Central with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The semi-finals will be at noon and 1 PM Saturday with the final at 10 AM Sunday. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday evening with the semi-finals Saturday afternoon at 3 and 4 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM.
2018 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 18-21 2018
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday afternoon
Javier Mar v. James Landeryou
Scott McClellan v. Tyler Thielen
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Tim Landeryou v. Dylan Reid
Sebastian Fernandez v. Matthew Majxner
Jose Diaz v. Tommy Murray
Robert Collins v. Taylor Knoth
Rodrigo Montoya v. Tanner Prentice
Gerardo Franco v. Eduardo Portillo
Justus Benson v. Michael Phillips
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Lee Connell v. Francisco Troncoso
Mauro Rojas v. Alejandro Cardona
David Horn - BYE
Thomas Carter v. Jeff Zomer
Nicholas Riffel v. Justin Johnson
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday night
Q8) Javier Mar or James Landeryou v. Scott McClellan or Tyler Thielen
Q1) Felipe Camacho v. Tim Landeryou or Dylan Reid
Q4) Sebastian Fernandez or Matthew Majxner v. Jose Diaz or Tommy Murray
Q5) Robert Collins or Taylor Knoth v. Rodrigo Montoya or Tanner Prentice
Q6) Gerardo Franco or Eduardo Portillo v. Justus Benson or Michael Phillips
Q3) Jake Bredenbeck v. Lee Connell or Francisco Troncoso
Q2) David Horn v. Mauro Rojas or Alejandro Cardona
Q7) Thomas Carter or Jeff Zomer v. Nicholas Riffel or Justin Johnson
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Q8
8) Alejandro Landa v. Q1
5) Samuel Murray v. Q4
4) Jansen Allen v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Sebastian Franco v. Q3
7) Mario Mercado v. Q2
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q7
IRT Doubles Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 9) Taylor Knoth & Dylan Reid - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Felipe Camacho - BYE
3) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado - BYE
6) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 11) Michael Phillips & Thyler Thielen - Noon
7) Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - 11 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Bredenbeck bests Montoya to win 2018 WRT Longhorn Open
Jake Bredenbeck defeated Rodrigo Montoya, 15-3, 15-11, to win the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, the first WRT event of 2018. Bredenbeck came into the event as the #4 WRT player with Montoya #2. Both rankings could change with the new rankings on Monday, as Bredenbeck didn’t play this event last year due to injury, while Montoya was the defending champion.
Thus, Montoya’s loss in the final will mean he drops ranking points, while Bredenbeck’s win will be a pure gain. David Horn, the WRT #1 player, lost in the semi-finals to Bredenbeck, which is the same result he had at last year’s Longhorn Open. Andree Parrilla, WRT #3, was a quarterfinalist this year and last, and he’s 1300 points ahead of Bredenbeck, so Bredenbeck’s win may be enough to move him past Parrilla into 3rd.
Eduardo Garay, the other semi-finalist this weekend, should get a big rankings boost, as he’s currently 39th - he was seeded 22nd for the tournament - with 600 points, and could move up into the top 20 come Monday.
In doubles, Gerardo Franco and Alejandro Cardona beat Fernando Kurzbard and Shai Manzuri, 15-5, 15-7, to win the title. Franco and Cardona beat Sebastian Fernandez and Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-9, in one semi-final, while Kurzbard and Manzuri defeated Jaime Martell and Edson Martinez in the other, 15-7, 9-15, 11-9.
The next WRT will be the Midwest Championship in Minneapolis, March 1-4.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Final - Sunday
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 2) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-3, 15-11
Doubles - Semi-finals - Sunday
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri d. 9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez, 15-7, 9-15, 11-9
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-9
Doubles - Final - Sunday
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri, 15-5, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thus, Montoya’s loss in the final will mean he drops ranking points, while Bredenbeck’s win will be a pure gain. David Horn, the WRT #1 player, lost in the semi-finals to Bredenbeck, which is the same result he had at last year’s Longhorn Open. Andree Parrilla, WRT #3, was a quarterfinalist this year and last, and he’s 1300 points ahead of Bredenbeck, so Bredenbeck’s win may be enough to move him past Parrilla into 3rd.
Eduardo Garay, the other semi-finalist this weekend, should get a big rankings boost, as he’s currently 39th - he was seeded 22nd for the tournament - with 600 points, and could move up into the top 20 come Monday.
In doubles, Gerardo Franco and Alejandro Cardona beat Fernando Kurzbard and Shai Manzuri, 15-5, 15-7, to win the title. Franco and Cardona beat Sebastian Fernandez and Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-9, in one semi-final, while Kurzbard and Manzuri defeated Jaime Martell and Edson Martinez in the other, 15-7, 9-15, 11-9.
The next WRT will be the Midwest Championship in Minneapolis, March 1-4.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Final - Sunday
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 2) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-3, 15-11
Doubles - Semi-finals - Sunday
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri d. 9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez, 15-7, 9-15, 11-9
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-9
Doubles - Final - Sunday
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri, 15-5, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Montoya & Bredenbeck to face off for 2018 WRT Longhorn Open title
Rodrigo Montoya and Jake Bredenbeck survived two close semi-final matches at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas Saturday, and they will meet in Sunday’s final. Second seed Montoya needed a tie-breaker to defeat 22nd seed Eduardo Garay, 14-15, 15-3, 11-9, while Bredenbeck beat WRT #1 David Horn in two close games, 15-14, 15-12.
Horn had a 7-1 lead in game one of his semi versus Bredenbeck, but then gave up nine straight points to trail trail 10-7. Horn did retake the lead at 11-10, but Bredenbeck got to 14 first at 14-11. However, Bredenbeck couldn’t convert his first few game points, and Horn tied the game at 14-14. But his comeback fell short, as Bredenbeck converted his 4th game point to take a 1-0 lead.
Game two was also back and forth early. But then Horn took a 11-5 lead, and it looked like a tie-breaker would be necessary. But Bredenbeck scored ten of the next eleven points to finish off the game, 15-12, and the match in two straight games,
Montoya had a chance to win game one, when he led 14-12, but the impressive Garay won three straight points to deny him. After a second game that was all Montoya, it was Garay who held the advantage in the tie-breaker, as he went up 6-2. But Montoya slowly worked his way back, and caught up at 9-9.
Montoya’s 10th point came when Garay skipped a backhand serve return, and his 11th was also off a skip, as Garay tried to hit a backhand pinch. It was a sad end to a great match performance by Garay, who made some great diving gets including rallies when he dove more than once to keep the ball in play.
Montoya wasn’t as successful in doubles, as he and Andree Parrilla lost to Jaime Martell and Edson Martinez, 15-14, 15-14. Martell and Martinez will play Fernando Kurzbard and Shai Manzuri in the semi-finals Sunday morning, as they got an injury default win over Garay and Javier Mar, who was injured during his quarterfinal match with Montoya.
The finals will be live on Sunday via WRT website or its Facebook page with the singles final at 11:40 AM followed by the doubles final at 12:35 PM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) David Horn, 15-14, 15-12
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 22) Eduardo Garay, 14-15, 15-3, 11-9
Singles - Final - Sunday
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 4) Jake Bredenbeck - 11:40 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla, 15-14, 15-14
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri d. 4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar, injury forfeit
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria d. 6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa, 13-15, 15-11, 11-2
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado, 15-6, 15-4
Doubles - Semi-finals - Sunday
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri v. 9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez - 9:30 AM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco v. 3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - 9:30 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Horn had a 7-1 lead in game one of his semi versus Bredenbeck, but then gave up nine straight points to trail trail 10-7. Horn did retake the lead at 11-10, but Bredenbeck got to 14 first at 14-11. However, Bredenbeck couldn’t convert his first few game points, and Horn tied the game at 14-14. But his comeback fell short, as Bredenbeck converted his 4th game point to take a 1-0 lead.
Game two was also back and forth early. But then Horn took a 11-5 lead, and it looked like a tie-breaker would be necessary. But Bredenbeck scored ten of the next eleven points to finish off the game, 15-12, and the match in two straight games,
Montoya had a chance to win game one, when he led 14-12, but the impressive Garay won three straight points to deny him. After a second game that was all Montoya, it was Garay who held the advantage in the tie-breaker, as he went up 6-2. But Montoya slowly worked his way back, and caught up at 9-9.
Montoya’s 10th point came when Garay skipped a backhand serve return, and his 11th was also off a skip, as Garay tried to hit a backhand pinch. It was a sad end to a great match performance by Garay, who made some great diving gets including rallies when he dove more than once to keep the ball in play.
Montoya wasn’t as successful in doubles, as he and Andree Parrilla lost to Jaime Martell and Edson Martinez, 15-14, 15-14. Martell and Martinez will play Fernando Kurzbard and Shai Manzuri in the semi-finals Sunday morning, as they got an injury default win over Garay and Javier Mar, who was injured during his quarterfinal match with Montoya.
The finals will be live on Sunday via WRT website or its Facebook page with the singles final at 11:40 AM followed by the doubles final at 12:35 PM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) David Horn, 15-14, 15-12
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 22) Eduardo Garay, 14-15, 15-3, 11-9
Singles - Final - Sunday
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 4) Jake Bredenbeck - 11:40 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla, 15-14, 15-14
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri d. 4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar, injury forfeit
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria d. 6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa, 13-15, 15-11, 11-2
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco d. 7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado, 15-6, 15-4
Doubles - Semi-finals - Sunday
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri v. 9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez - 9:30 AM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco v. 3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - 9:30 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Garay joins top 3 seeds in semi-finals at 2018 WRT Longhorn Open
World Racquetball Tour (WRT) #1 David Horn squeaked into the semi-finals at the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, as he needed a tie-breaker to defeat 8th seed Christian Longoria, 15-13, 11-15, 11-9. Horn will play 4th seed Jake Bredenbeck in the quarters Saturday night, as Bredenbeck beat 5th seed Alejandro Cardona, 15-14, 15-3
Eduardo Garay came into the tournament as the 22nd seed, but he is through to the final four after beating 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 15-0, 14-15, 11-2. He’ll try to keep his streak going against WRT #2 Rodrigo Montoya in the semis.
You can watch the action from Austin via the WRT website or its Facebook page. The singles semi-finals are Saturday night at 7:50 PM and 8:45 PM, and the final will be Sunday at 11:40 AM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) David Horn d. 8) Christian Longoria, 15-13, 11-15, 11-9
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 5) Alejandro Cardona, 15-14, 15-3
22) Eduardo Garay d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-0, 14-15, 11-2
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 10) Javier Mar, 15-3 - injury forfeit
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) David Horn v. 4) Jake Bredenbeck - 7:50 PM
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 22) Eduardo Garay - 8:45 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez d. 8) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr., 15-13, 15-6
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - BYE
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar - BYE
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - BYE
6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa d. 11) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings, 15-3, 15-0
7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado d. 10) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valadez, 11-15, 15-13, 11-6
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez - 5:15 PM
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar v. 5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - 6:10 PM
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria v. 6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa - 6:10 PM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco v. 7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado - 5:15 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Eduardo Garay came into the tournament as the 22nd seed, but he is through to the final four after beating 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 15-0, 14-15, 11-2. He’ll try to keep his streak going against WRT #2 Rodrigo Montoya in the semis.
You can watch the action from Austin via the WRT website or its Facebook page. The singles semi-finals are Saturday night at 7:50 PM and 8:45 PM, and the final will be Sunday at 11:40 AM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) David Horn d. 8) Christian Longoria, 15-13, 11-15, 11-9
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 5) Alejandro Cardona, 15-14, 15-3
22) Eduardo Garay d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-0, 14-15, 11-2
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 10) Javier Mar, 15-3 - injury forfeit
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) David Horn v. 4) Jake Bredenbeck - 7:50 PM
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 22) Eduardo Garay - 8:45 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez d. 8) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr., 15-13, 15-6
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - BYE
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar - BYE
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - BYE
6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa d. 11) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings, 15-3, 15-0
7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado d. 10) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valadez, 11-15, 15-13, 11-6
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 9) Jaime Martell & Edson Martinez - 5:15 PM
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar v. 5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - 6:10 PM
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria v. 6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa - 6:10 PM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco v. 7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado - 5:15 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Round of 32 and 16 at the 2018 WRT Longhorn Open
The top seeds have taken care of business at the first World Racquetball Tour (WRT) event of 2018: the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas. Top seed David Horn won both his matches on Friday in straight games, as did 2nd seed Rodrigo Montoya. Horn will play Christina Longoria in the quarterfinals, while Montoya plays Javier Mar.
Horn beat John Rhodes, 15-2, 15-4, in the Round of 32, and Victor Camacho in the Round of 16, 15-3, 15-4. We thought Montoya might have some difficulty in his matches in the 32s and 16s, but judging from the scores, he had little difficulty, as he defeated Taylor Knoth, 15-5, 15-9, in the Round of 32, and then beat Edson Martinez, 15-0, 15-4, in the Round of 16.
Mar is one of two upset winners in the quarterfinals, as 10th seeded Mar defeated 7th seed Jaime Martell in two close games, 15-13, 15-14, in the 16s. Eduardo Garay caused the other upset, but needed a tie-breaker to do it, as he beat 6th seed Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 11-15, 11-9. Garay will play 3rd seed Andree Parrilla in the quarters.
You can watch the action from Austin via the WRT website or its Facebook page. The quarterfinals will be Saturday afternoon with the and semi-finals Saturday night at 7:50 PM and 8:45 PM, and the final will be Sunday at 11:40 AM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1) David Horn d. 32) John Rhodes, 15-2, 15-4
17) Victor Camacho d. 16) Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-3, 15-3
9) Francisco Troncoso d. 24) Erik Mendoza, 15-3, 15-9
8) Christian Longoria d. 25) Rogelio Castillo, 15-2, 15-5
5) Alejandro Cardona d. 28) Alejandro Almada, 11-15, 15-5, 11-8
12) Ernesto Ochoa d. 21) Daniel Maldonado, 15-8, 15-11
13) Shai Manzuri d. 20) Justus Benson, forfeit
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 29) Raul Valadez, 15-2, 15-4
3) Andree Parrilla d. 30) Rodrigo Garay, forfeit
14) Sebastian Fernandez d. 19) Fernando Kurzbard, 15-13, 15-7
22) Eduardo Garay d. 11) Jose Diaz, forfeit
6) Gerardo Franco d. 27) A. J. Fernandez, 15-2, 15-8
7) Jaime Martell d. 26) Brent Walters, 15-7, 15-2
10) Javier Mar d. 23) Eddie Sada, 15-5, 15-4
15) Edson Martinez d. 18) Juan Loreto, 15-2, 15-4
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 31) Taylor Knoth, 15-5, 15-9
Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) David Horn d. 17) Victor Camacho, 15-3, 15-4
8) Christian Longoria d. 9) Francisco Troncoso, 15-9, 15-9
5) Alejandro Cardona d. 12) Ernesto Ochoa, 15-6, 15-5
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 13) Shai Manzuri, 15-4, 15-13
3) Andree Parrilla d. 14) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-7
22) Eduardo Garay d. 6) Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 11-15, 11-9
10) Javier Mar d. 7) Jaime Martell, 15-13, 15-14
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 15) Edson Martinez, 15-0, 15-4
Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) David Horn v. 8) Christian Longoria - 1:50 PM
4) Jake Bredenbeck v. 5) Alejandro Cardona - 3:10 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 22) Eduardo Garay - 3:10 PM
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 10) Javier Mar - 1:50 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
8) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr. v. 9) Rodrigo Garay v. Edson Martinez - 10 AM
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - BYE
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar - BYE
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - BYE
6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa v. 11) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings - 10 AM
7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado v. 10) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valadez - 10 AM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Horn beat John Rhodes, 15-2, 15-4, in the Round of 32, and Victor Camacho in the Round of 16, 15-3, 15-4. We thought Montoya might have some difficulty in his matches in the 32s and 16s, but judging from the scores, he had little difficulty, as he defeated Taylor Knoth, 15-5, 15-9, in the Round of 32, and then beat Edson Martinez, 15-0, 15-4, in the Round of 16.
Mar is one of two upset winners in the quarterfinals, as 10th seeded Mar defeated 7th seed Jaime Martell in two close games, 15-13, 15-14, in the 16s. Eduardo Garay caused the other upset, but needed a tie-breaker to do it, as he beat 6th seed Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 11-15, 11-9. Garay will play 3rd seed Andree Parrilla in the quarters.
You can watch the action from Austin via the WRT website or its Facebook page. The quarterfinals will be Saturday afternoon with the and semi-finals Saturday night at 7:50 PM and 8:45 PM, and the final will be Sunday at 11:40 AM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1) David Horn d. 32) John Rhodes, 15-2, 15-4
17) Victor Camacho d. 16) Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-3, 15-3
9) Francisco Troncoso d. 24) Erik Mendoza, 15-3, 15-9
8) Christian Longoria d. 25) Rogelio Castillo, 15-2, 15-5
5) Alejandro Cardona d. 28) Alejandro Almada, 11-15, 15-5, 11-8
12) Ernesto Ochoa d. 21) Daniel Maldonado, 15-8, 15-11
13) Shai Manzuri d. 20) Justus Benson, forfeit
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 29) Raul Valadez, 15-2, 15-4
3) Andree Parrilla d. 30) Rodrigo Garay, forfeit
14) Sebastian Fernandez d. 19) Fernando Kurzbard, 15-13, 15-7
22) Eduardo Garay d. 11) Jose Diaz, forfeit
6) Gerardo Franco d. 27) A. J. Fernandez, 15-2, 15-8
7) Jaime Martell d. 26) Brent Walters, 15-7, 15-2
10) Javier Mar d. 23) Eddie Sada, 15-5, 15-4
15) Edson Martinez d. 18) Juan Loreto, 15-2, 15-4
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 31) Taylor Knoth, 15-5, 15-9
Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) David Horn d. 17) Victor Camacho, 15-3, 15-4
8) Christian Longoria d. 9) Francisco Troncoso, 15-9, 15-9
5) Alejandro Cardona d. 12) Ernesto Ochoa, 15-6, 15-5
4) Jake Bredenbeck d. 13) Shai Manzuri, 15-4, 15-13
3) Andree Parrilla d. 14) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-7
22) Eduardo Garay d. 6) Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 11-15, 11-9
10) Javier Mar d. 7) Jaime Martell, 15-13, 15-14
2) Rodrigo Montoya d. 15) Edson Martinez, 15-0, 15-4
Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) David Horn v. 8) Christian Longoria - 1:50 PM
4) Jake Bredenbeck v. 5) Alejandro Cardona - 3:10 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 22) Eduardo Garay - 3:10 PM
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 10) Javier Mar - 1:50 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
8) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr. v. 9) Rodrigo Garay v. Edson Martinez - 10 AM
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - BYE
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar - BYE
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - BYE
6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa v. 11) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings - 10 AM
7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado v. 10) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valadez - 10 AM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
WRT 2018 Longhorn Open - Preview
The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) kicks off its 2018 season in Austin, Texas with the Longhorn Open. There’s a full draw of 32 players led by 2017 WRT Player of the Year David Horn, and with several good players outside the top four seeds.
Indeed, the path to the final for WRT #2 Rodrigo Montoya is unenviable. First off he’ll play Taylor Knoth - a former World Junior and USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champion - in the Round of 32. A win over Knoth will likely put Montoya up against Edson Martinez - a former Mexican National Team member - in the Round of 16. The winner of that will probably need to play either 7th seed Jaime Martell - a WRT event winner - or 10th seed Javier Mar, the current Pan American Champion, in the quarterfinals.
Then if Montoya has successfully made it through the quarters he’ll likely face one of 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 6th seed Gerardo Franco, 11th seed Jose Diaz or 14th seed Sebastian Fernandez. Then, Horn could be waiting for Montoya in the final.
If Montoya wins the 2018 Longhorn Open, he will have earned it.
On the top side of the draw with Horn are 4th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 5th seed Alejandro Cardona, 8th seed Christian Longoria, as well as veteran Shai Manzuri who’s seeded 13th.
You can watch the action from Austin via the WRT website or its Facebook page. The play begins Friday with the 32s and 16s. The quarters and semis will be Saturday afternoon and night, respectively, with the final Sunday at 11:40 AM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1) David Horn v. 32) John Rhodes - 3:45 PM
16) Erick Cuevas Fernandez v. 17) Victor Camacho - 3:45 PM
9) Francisco Troncoso v. 24) Erik Mendoza - 4:55 PM
8) Christian Longoria v. 25) Rogelio Castillo - 4:55 PM
5) Alejandro Cardona v. 28) Alejandro Almada - 3:45 PM
12) Ernesto Ochoa v. 21) Daniel Maldonado - 3:45 PM
13) Shai Manzuri v. 20) Justus Benson - 4:55 PM
4) Jake Bredenbeck v. 29) Raul Valadez - 4:55 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 30) Rodrigo Garay - 3:45 PM
14) Sebastian Fernandez v. 19) Fernando Kurzbard - 3:45 PM
11) Jose Diaz v. 22) Eduardo Garay - 4:55 PM
6) Gerardo Franco v. 27) A. J. Fernandez - 4:55 PM
7) Jaime Martell v. 26) Brent Walters - 4:55 PM
10) Javier Mar v. 23) Eddie Sada - 4:55 PM
15) Edson Martinez v. 18) Juan Loreto - 3:45 PM
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 31) Taylor Knoth - 3:45 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
8) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr. v. 9) Rodrigo Garay v. Edson Martinez - 10 AM
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - BYE
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar - BYE
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - BYE
6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa v. 11) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings - 10 AM
7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado v. 10) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valadez - 10 AM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Indeed, the path to the final for WRT #2 Rodrigo Montoya is unenviable. First off he’ll play Taylor Knoth - a former World Junior and USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champion - in the Round of 32. A win over Knoth will likely put Montoya up against Edson Martinez - a former Mexican National Team member - in the Round of 16. The winner of that will probably need to play either 7th seed Jaime Martell - a WRT event winner - or 10th seed Javier Mar, the current Pan American Champion, in the quarterfinals.
Then if Montoya has successfully made it through the quarters he’ll likely face one of 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 6th seed Gerardo Franco, 11th seed Jose Diaz or 14th seed Sebastian Fernandez. Then, Horn could be waiting for Montoya in the final.
If Montoya wins the 2018 Longhorn Open, he will have earned it.
On the top side of the draw with Horn are 4th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 5th seed Alejandro Cardona, 8th seed Christian Longoria, as well as veteran Shai Manzuri who’s seeded 13th.
You can watch the action from Austin via the WRT website or its Facebook page. The play begins Friday with the 32s and 16s. The quarters and semis will be Saturday afternoon and night, respectively, with the final Sunday at 11:40 AM.
2018 WRT Longhorn Open, January 12-14
Austin, Texas
Singles - Round of 32 - Friday
1) David Horn v. 32) John Rhodes - 3:45 PM
16) Erick Cuevas Fernandez v. 17) Victor Camacho - 3:45 PM
9) Francisco Troncoso v. 24) Erik Mendoza - 4:55 PM
8) Christian Longoria v. 25) Rogelio Castillo - 4:55 PM
5) Alejandro Cardona v. 28) Alejandro Almada - 3:45 PM
12) Ernesto Ochoa v. 21) Daniel Maldonado - 3:45 PM
13) Shai Manzuri v. 20) Justus Benson - 4:55 PM
4) Jake Bredenbeck v. 29) Raul Valadez - 4:55 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 30) Rodrigo Garay - 3:45 PM
14) Sebastian Fernandez v. 19) Fernando Kurzbard - 3:45 PM
11) Jose Diaz v. 22) Eduardo Garay - 4:55 PM
6) Gerardo Franco v. 27) A. J. Fernandez - 4:55 PM
7) Jaime Martell v. 26) Brent Walters - 4:55 PM
10) Javier Mar v. 23) Eddie Sada - 4:55 PM
15) Edson Martinez v. 18) Juan Loreto - 3:45 PM
2) Rodrigo Montoya v. 31) Taylor Knoth - 3:45 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
8) George Bustos & Ross Smith Jr. v. 9) Rodrigo Garay v. Edson Martinez - 10 AM
5) Fernando Kurzbard & Shai Manzuri - BYE
4) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar - BYE
3) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - BYE
6) Patric Mascorro & Ernesto Ochoa v. 11) Sam Hojat & Brennan Jennings - 10 AM
7) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado v. 10) A. J. Fernandez & Raul Valadez - 10 AM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Gerardo Franco - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 8, 2018
Fernandez wins Men's Open at 2018 LA Open
Sebastian Fernandez won the Men’s Open division at the 2018 Los Angeles Open in Canoga Park, California Sunday, and he beat three top 20 players on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) to get the title. In the final, Fernandez defeated IRT #12 Felipe Camacho, 15-11, 15-10.
In the semi-finals, Fernandez beat Robert Collins, IRT #17, 15-7, 15-9, and in the quarterfinals, he got the best of IRT #10 Sebastian Franco, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6. Fernandez is the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Champion in Boy’s U16.
This weekend’s main event is the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas. Then next weekend the IRT is back in action with the 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, January 18-21, 2018. January concludes with a Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Grand Slam event. The Sweet Caroline Open will be January 26-28 in Greenville, South Carolina.
2018 Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Men’s Open - Final
8) Sebastian Fernandez d. 3) Felipe Camacho, 15-11, 15-10
3rd place
5) Robert Collins d. 2) Dylan Reid, 15-14, 14-15, 11-10
Semi-finals
8) Sebastian Fernandez d. 5) Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-9
3) Felipe Camacho d. 2) Dylan Reid, forfeit
Quarterfinals
8) Sebastian Fernandez d. 1) Sebastian Franco, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6
5) Robert Collins d. 4) Justus Benson, 15-8, 15-3
3) Felipe Camacho d. 6) Brandon Davis, 15-14, 15-14
2) Dylan Reid d. 10) Nicholas Riffel, 15-10, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Fernandez beat Robert Collins, IRT #17, 15-7, 15-9, and in the quarterfinals, he got the best of IRT #10 Sebastian Franco, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6. Fernandez is the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Champion in Boy’s U16.
This weekend’s main event is the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas. Then next weekend the IRT is back in action with the 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, January 18-21, 2018. January concludes with a Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Grand Slam event. The Sweet Caroline Open will be January 26-28 in Greenville, South Carolina.
2018 Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Men’s Open - Final
8) Sebastian Fernandez d. 3) Felipe Camacho, 15-11, 15-10
3rd place
5) Robert Collins d. 2) Dylan Reid, 15-14, 14-15, 11-10
Semi-finals
8) Sebastian Fernandez d. 5) Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-9
3) Felipe Camacho d. 2) Dylan Reid, forfeit
Quarterfinals
8) Sebastian Fernandez d. 1) Sebastian Franco, 15-5, 13-15, 11-6
5) Robert Collins d. 4) Justus Benson, 15-8, 15-3
3) Felipe Camacho d. 6) Brandon Davis, 15-14, 15-14
2) Dylan Reid d. 10) Nicholas Riffel, 15-10, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 7, 2018
De La Rosa wins singles, Landa & Murray doubles at 2018 IRT LA Open
Daniel De La Rosa won the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2018 Los Angeles Open in Canoga Park, California Sunday as Kane Waselenchuk was unable to play due to an injury he picked up in his semi-final match on Saturday. Waselenchuk completed his semi versus Mario Mercado, but in the first game he slipped on the court in attempting to retrieve a ball, and we think that’s where the injury occurred. Waselenchuk didn’t miss a beat in the match, so appeared to be fine, but when he got up on Sunday morning, his knee was stiff and swollen. Waselenchuk did go to the club in an effort to prepare to play the final, but those preparations were unsuccessful in getting him ready for De La Rosa. Thus, he forfeited the match.
The win is De La Rosa’s 3rd on tour, and his first since the 2017 Lewis Drug event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the next event on the IRT calendar, so De La Rosa will go into that event as both the defending champion and the latest winner on tour.
The Los Angeles Open doubles final was great, which did a lot to make up for the singles final forfeit. Fifth seeds Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray narrowly defeated 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9. The match featured great shots and great gets by all four players.
In game one, Bredenbeck and Diaz were up 14-12, but a backhand winner by Murray denied them the first game point, and then a Landa wide angle forehand winner denied them the second game point. With the serve back, Landa and Murray won three straight rallies to take the game. Bredenbeck skipped a forehand shot that make it 13-14. Then Murray hit a backhand shot that went between Bredenbeck and Diaz, and neither of them went for it, making it 14-14. Then a Murray winner winner finished off the game 15-14.
Landa and Murray led most of the way in game two, and when they got to game point at 14-9, it looked like they would win it in two straight games. But an avoidable hinder call on Landa gave the serve back to Bredenbeck and Diaz, who got three straight points with Diaz serving that made it 14-12. Then Landa hit a forehand pinch winner and Murray a forehand cross court winner, so they were serving for the match once again.
But Diaz hit a forehand pinch return winner off Landa’s serve, and then hit another pinch to end the next rally, so Landa and Murray were 0 for 3 on match points. Thus, the situation was just like game one. One team was up 14-12, and it played out the same way, as the team on 12 came back to win 15-14.
Still at 14-12 it looked like a comeback wasn’t in the cards when Diaz skipped a touch shot from inches away from the front wall. However, Murray skipped a backhand shot that made it 14-13. Then Bredenbeck tied the game at 14-14 with a backhand pinch winner, and they forced Murray into skipping a backhand shot that ended the game 15-14.
Often when the first two games of a match are close, the tie-breaker is not close. It looked like that would be the case in this match, as Landa and Murray went up 6-0 in game three. But Bredenbeck and Diaz worked their way back into the match, and cut the deficit to two at 9-7.
A Murray backhand got his side the serve back, and a Landa pinch put them on match point again - for the 4th time - at 10-7. But an avoidable call on Murray followed by a mis-hit forehand by Landa once again denied them the match.
Thus, it looked like game three might mirror games one and two where the team that got to game point first did not win the game. That seemed likely when Murray skipped a backhand for the third time in seven rallies to make the score 8 serving 10. A Diaz forehand cross court shot made it 9-10, and caused Landa and Murray to call timeout.
When play resumed, Bredenbeck skipped an open forehand shot, and then was forced into skipping a backhand shot, so Landa and Murray got their sixth match point opportunity. This one they made good on with Bredenbeck again taking the last shot: a backhand cross court that skipped.
The next IRT event will be the 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, January 18-21, 2018.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Final - Sunday
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) Kane Waselenchuk, injury forfeit
IRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
The win is De La Rosa’s 3rd on tour, and his first since the 2017 Lewis Drug event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the next event on the IRT calendar, so De La Rosa will go into that event as both the defending champion and the latest winner on tour.
The Los Angeles Open doubles final was great, which did a lot to make up for the singles final forfeit. Fifth seeds Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray narrowly defeated 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9. The match featured great shots and great gets by all four players.
In game one, Bredenbeck and Diaz were up 14-12, but a backhand winner by Murray denied them the first game point, and then a Landa wide angle forehand winner denied them the second game point. With the serve back, Landa and Murray won three straight rallies to take the game. Bredenbeck skipped a forehand shot that make it 13-14. Then Murray hit a backhand shot that went between Bredenbeck and Diaz, and neither of them went for it, making it 14-14. Then a Murray winner winner finished off the game 15-14.
Landa and Murray led most of the way in game two, and when they got to game point at 14-9, it looked like they would win it in two straight games. But an avoidable hinder call on Landa gave the serve back to Bredenbeck and Diaz, who got three straight points with Diaz serving that made it 14-12. Then Landa hit a forehand pinch winner and Murray a forehand cross court winner, so they were serving for the match once again.
But Diaz hit a forehand pinch return winner off Landa’s serve, and then hit another pinch to end the next rally, so Landa and Murray were 0 for 3 on match points. Thus, the situation was just like game one. One team was up 14-12, and it played out the same way, as the team on 12 came back to win 15-14.
Still at 14-12 it looked like a comeback wasn’t in the cards when Diaz skipped a touch shot from inches away from the front wall. However, Murray skipped a backhand shot that made it 14-13. Then Bredenbeck tied the game at 14-14 with a backhand pinch winner, and they forced Murray into skipping a backhand shot that ended the game 15-14.
Often when the first two games of a match are close, the tie-breaker is not close. It looked like that would be the case in this match, as Landa and Murray went up 6-0 in game three. But Bredenbeck and Diaz worked their way back into the match, and cut the deficit to two at 9-7.
A Murray backhand got his side the serve back, and a Landa pinch put them on match point again - for the 4th time - at 10-7. But an avoidable call on Murray followed by a mis-hit forehand by Landa once again denied them the match.
Thus, it looked like game three might mirror games one and two where the team that got to game point first did not win the game. That seemed likely when Murray skipped a backhand for the third time in seven rallies to make the score 8 serving 10. A Diaz forehand cross court shot made it 9-10, and caused Landa and Murray to call timeout.
When play resumed, Bredenbeck skipped an open forehand shot, and then was forced into skipping a backhand shot, so Landa and Murray got their sixth match point opportunity. This one they made good on with Bredenbeck again taking the last shot: a backhand cross court that skipped.
The next IRT event will be the 40th Annual Lewis Drug Pro/Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, January 18-21, 2018.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Final - Sunday
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) Kane Waselenchuk, injury forfeit
IRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-14, 14-15, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk & De La Rosa play in the final of the 2018 IRT LA Open
Kane Waselenchuk and Daniel De La Rosa will square off in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2018 Los Angeles Open in Canoga Park, California. In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk, the 2nd seed, defeated 6th seed Mario Mercado, 15-5, 15-2, and 4th seed De La Rosa upse top seed and IRT #1 Rocky Carson, 15-5, 15-7. Carson’s loss and Waselenchuk’s win will almost certainly mean a flip of the two in the next IRT rankings, as Carson was ahead of Waselenchuk by a little over 84 points.
The doubles final will be between 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz and 5th seeds Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray. Bredenbeck and Diaz needed a tie-breaker in the semi-finals to fend off 3rd seeds Jansen Allen and Charlie Pratt, 15-8, 14-15, 11-5, while Landa and Murray beat 8th seeds Adam Manilla and Nicolas Riffel, 15-14, 15-2, in the other semi.
The finals are Sunday morning at 11 AM for singles and noon for doubles. Go to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 1) Rocky Carson, 15-5, 15-7
2) Kane Waselenchuk d. 6) Mario Mercado, 15-5, 15-2
Final - Sunday
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel d. 1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa, forfeit
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado, 15-10, 15-8
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt d. 6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla, 15-10, 15-14
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins, 15-6, 15-12
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel, 15-14, 15-2
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt, 15-8, 14-15, 11-5
IRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
The doubles final will be between 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz and 5th seeds Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray. Bredenbeck and Diaz needed a tie-breaker in the semi-finals to fend off 3rd seeds Jansen Allen and Charlie Pratt, 15-8, 14-15, 11-5, while Landa and Murray beat 8th seeds Adam Manilla and Nicolas Riffel, 15-14, 15-2, in the other semi.
The finals are Sunday morning at 11 AM for singles and noon for doubles. Go to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 1) Rocky Carson, 15-5, 15-7
2) Kane Waselenchuk d. 6) Mario Mercado, 15-5, 15-2
Final - Sunday
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel d. 1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa, forfeit
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado, 15-10, 15-8
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt d. 6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla, 15-10, 15-14
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins, 15-6, 15-12
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel, 15-14, 15-2
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt, 15-8, 14-15, 11-5
IRT Doubles - Final - Sunday
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Quarterfinal results from 2018 IRT Los Angeles Open
Three of the top four seeds are through to the semi-finals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2018 Los Angeles Open in Canoga Park, California. But top seed and IRT #1 Rocky Carson needed a tie-breaker to defeat 9th seed Sebastian Franco, 9-15, 15-11, 11-3. Carson will play IRT #4 Daniel De La Rosa in the semi-finals Saturday, as De La Rosa was an easy winner over Jansen Allen, 15-2, 15-3.
On the other side of the draw, IRT #2 Kane Waselenchuk defeated Alejandro Landa, 15-11, 15-9, in the quarterfinals. Waselenchuk will face Mario Mercado in the semi-finals, as Mercado had a forfeit win over IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran.
The doubles quarterfinals are Saturday morning at 9 and 10 AM with the singles semi-finals in the afternoon at 2 and 3 PM and the doubles semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM in the evening. Go to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. Sebastian Franco, 9-15, 15-11, 11-3
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Jansen Allen, 15-2, 15-3
6) Mario Mercado d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, forfeit
2) Kane Waselenchuk d. 7) Alejandro Landa, 15-11, 15-9
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 3 PM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. 6) Mario Mercado - 2 PM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel - 10 AM
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - 10 AM
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt v. 6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla - 9 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins - 9 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
On the other side of the draw, IRT #2 Kane Waselenchuk defeated Alejandro Landa, 15-11, 15-9, in the quarterfinals. Waselenchuk will face Mario Mercado in the semi-finals, as Mercado had a forfeit win over IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran.
The doubles quarterfinals are Saturday morning at 9 and 10 AM with the singles semi-finals in the afternoon at 2 and 3 PM and the doubles semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM in the evening. Go to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. Sebastian Franco, 9-15, 15-11, 11-3
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Jansen Allen, 15-2, 15-3
6) Mario Mercado d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, forfeit
2) Kane Waselenchuk d. 7) Alejandro Landa, 15-11, 15-9
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 3 PM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. 6) Mario Mercado - 2 PM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel - 10 AM
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - 10 AM
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt v. 6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla - 9 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins - 9 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 5, 2018
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open - Round of 16
Both top seeds Rocky Carson and Kane Waselenchuk advanced to the quarterfinals in two straight games at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2018 Los Angeles Open in Canoga Park, California. Carson, the #1 IRT player, defeated Jake Bredenbeck, 15-2, 15-12, and IRT #2 Waselenchuk beat Jose Diaz, 15-5, 15-2. Bredenbeck was up on Carson in game two with leads of 5-0 and 12-10, but the veteran Carson came back to finish off the match in two straight games.
Both the 3rd and 4th seeds needed breakers to win their Round of 16 matches. Third seed Alvaro Beltran defeated Adam Manilla, 15-9, 12-15, 11-7, and 4th seeds Daniel De La Rosa came back from a game down and 12-4 down in game two to overcome Charlie Pratt, 4-15, 15-13, 11-7. The loss means Pratt won’t win back to back IRT events, as he was the winner of the last IRT event of 2017: the Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon.
Sebastian Franco had the only upset victory in the 16s, as he won a breaker against 8th seed Samuel Murray, 13-15, 15-9, 11-7. Franco will play Carson in the quarterfinals later today.
The quarterfinals will be Friday evening from 6 and 7 PM. Go to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 2 and 3 PM with the doubles semis at 5 PM Saturday. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-2, 15-12
Sebastian Franco d. 8) Samuel Murray, 13-15, 15-9, 11-7
5) Jansen Allen d. Felipe Camacho, 15-6, 15-14
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Charlie Pratt, 4-15, 15-13, 11-7
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Adam Manilla, 15-9, 12-15, 11-7
6) Mario Mercado d. David Horn, 15-13, 15-5
7) Alejandro Landa d. Andree Parrilla, 15-4, 15-11
2) Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Diaz, 15-5, 15-2
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Sebastian Franco - 7 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Jansen Allen - 7 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Mario Mercado - 6 PM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. 7) Alejandro Landa - 6 PM
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel d. 9) Tim Herman & Michael Myers, 15-3, 15-10
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 12) Luis Rivero & Israel Torres, 15-4, 15-1
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado d. 13) Emmett Coe & Jeremy McGlothin, 15-10, 15-13
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt - BYE
6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla d. 11) Brian Pineda & Dane Elkins, 15-7, 15-4
7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins d. 10) Justus Benson & Mauro Rojas, 15-6, 12-15, 11-8
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt v. 6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins
Follow the bouncing ball….
Both the 3rd and 4th seeds needed breakers to win their Round of 16 matches. Third seed Alvaro Beltran defeated Adam Manilla, 15-9, 12-15, 11-7, and 4th seeds Daniel De La Rosa came back from a game down and 12-4 down in game two to overcome Charlie Pratt, 4-15, 15-13, 11-7. The loss means Pratt won’t win back to back IRT events, as he was the winner of the last IRT event of 2017: the Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon.
Sebastian Franco had the only upset victory in the 16s, as he won a breaker against 8th seed Samuel Murray, 13-15, 15-9, 11-7. Franco will play Carson in the quarterfinals later today.
The quarterfinals will be Friday evening from 6 and 7 PM. Go to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 2 and 3 PM with the doubles semis at 5 PM Saturday. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-2, 15-12
Sebastian Franco d. 8) Samuel Murray, 13-15, 15-9, 11-7
5) Jansen Allen d. Felipe Camacho, 15-6, 15-14
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Charlie Pratt, 4-15, 15-13, 11-7
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Adam Manilla, 15-9, 12-15, 11-7
6) Mario Mercado d. David Horn, 15-13, 15-5
7) Alejandro Landa d. Andree Parrilla, 15-4, 15-11
2) Kane Waselenchuk d. Jose Diaz, 15-5, 15-2
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Sebastian Franco - 7 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Jansen Allen - 7 PM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. 6) Mario Mercado - 6 PM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. 7) Alejandro Landa - 6 PM
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel d. 9) Tim Herman & Michael Myers, 15-3, 15-10
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 12) Luis Rivero & Israel Torres, 15-4, 15-1
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado d. 13) Emmett Coe & Jeremy McGlothin, 15-10, 15-13
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt - BYE
6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla d. 11) Brian Pineda & Dane Elkins, 15-7, 15-4
7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins d. 10) Justus Benson & Mauro Rojas, 15-6, 12-15, 11-8
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt v. 6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 4, 2018
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open - Qualifying Rounds
Adam Manilla caused the only upset in the final round of qualifying Thursday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2018 Los Angeles Open in Canoga Park, California, as he defeated Robert Collins, 15-9, 15-9. The win puts Manilla into the Round of 16 on Friday, when he’ll play 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran.
There were a couple of tie-breakers in qualifying, including an 11-10 match, which was won by Mauro Rojas, who defeated Troy Warigon, 13-15, 15-12, 11-10, in the first round of qualifying. Nicholas Riffel also went breaker with Daniel Neri, winning 15-10, 6-15, 11-7.
The Round of 16 will be Friday morning at 10 AM with the quarter finals Friday evening from 6 PM, and look to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 2 and 3 PM with the doubles semis at 5 PM Saturday. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Justus Benson - BYE
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Sebastian Franco - BYE
Dylan Reid d, Dane Elkinsm 15-7, 15-3
Sebastian Fernandez d. Joel Adler, 15-12, 15-14
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Charlie Pratt - BYE
Nicholas Riffel d. Daniel Neri, 15-10, 6-15, 11-7
Adam Manilla d. Danny Lavely, 15-9, 15-10
Robert Collins - BYE
David Horn - BYE
Israel Torres d. John Wolfe, fft
Mauro Rojas d. Troy Warigon, 13-15, 15-12, 11-10
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Scott McClellan d. Luis Rivero, 15-3, 15-3
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck d. Justus Benson, 15-4, 15-8
Q1) Sebastian Franco d. Dylan Reid, 15-13, 15-8
Q4) Felipe Camacho d. Sebastian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-10
Q5) Charlie Pratt d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-14
Q6) Adam Manilla d. Robert Collins, 15-9, 15-9
Q3) David Horn d. Israel Torres, 15-2, 15-4
Q2) Andree Parrilla d. Mauro Rojas, 15-7, 15-13
Q7) Jose Diaz d. Scott McClellan, 15-3, 15-3
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Jake Bredenbeck - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray v. Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
5) Jansen Allen v. Felipe Camacho - 11 AM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Charlie Pratt - 11 AM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Adam Manilla - 10 AM
6) Mario Mercado v. David Horn - 10 AM
7) Alejandro Landa v. Andree Parrilla - 10 AM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel v. 9) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray v. 12) Luis Rivero & Israel Torres - Noon
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 13) Emmett Coe & Jeremy McGlothin - Noon
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt - BYE
6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla v. 11) Brian Pineda & Dane Elkins - Noon
7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins v. 10) Justus Benson & Mauro Rojas - 1 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
There were a couple of tie-breakers in qualifying, including an 11-10 match, which was won by Mauro Rojas, who defeated Troy Warigon, 13-15, 15-12, 11-10, in the first round of qualifying. Nicholas Riffel also went breaker with Daniel Neri, winning 15-10, 6-15, 11-7.
The Round of 16 will be Friday morning at 10 AM with the quarter finals Friday evening from 6 PM, and look to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for the action. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 2 and 3 PM with the doubles semis at 5 PM Saturday. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Justus Benson - BYE
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Sebastian Franco - BYE
Dylan Reid d, Dane Elkinsm 15-7, 15-3
Sebastian Fernandez d. Joel Adler, 15-12, 15-14
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Charlie Pratt - BYE
Nicholas Riffel d. Daniel Neri, 15-10, 6-15, 11-7
Adam Manilla d. Danny Lavely, 15-9, 15-10
Robert Collins - BYE
David Horn - BYE
Israel Torres d. John Wolfe, fft
Mauro Rojas d. Troy Warigon, 13-15, 15-12, 11-10
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Scott McClellan d. Luis Rivero, 15-3, 15-3
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck d. Justus Benson, 15-4, 15-8
Q1) Sebastian Franco d. Dylan Reid, 15-13, 15-8
Q4) Felipe Camacho d. Sebastian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-10
Q5) Charlie Pratt d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-14
Q6) Adam Manilla d. Robert Collins, 15-9, 15-9
Q3) David Horn d. Israel Torres, 15-2, 15-4
Q2) Andree Parrilla d. Mauro Rojas, 15-7, 15-13
Q7) Jose Diaz d. Scott McClellan, 15-3, 15-3
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Jake Bredenbeck - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray v. Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
5) Jansen Allen v. Felipe Camacho - 11 AM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Charlie Pratt - 11 AM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Adam Manilla - 10 AM
6) Mario Mercado v. David Horn - 10 AM
7) Alejandro Landa v. Andree Parrilla - 10 AM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jose Diaz - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel v. 9) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray v. 12) Luis Rivero & Israel Torres - Noon
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 13) Emmett Coe & Jeremy McGlothin - Noon
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt - BYE
6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla v. 11) Brian Pineda & Dane Elkins - Noon
7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins v. 10) Justus Benson & Mauro Rojas - 1 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open - Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) begins 2018 in the same place as they began the 2017-18 season: Canoga Park, California, where they’ll play the 2018 Los Angeles Open. Thirty-one players are in the draw, and the top seed is Rocky Carson, not Kane Waselenchuk, as Carson is slightly ahead of Waselenchuk in the rankings, which seems crazy since Waselenchuk hasn’t lost a non-injury match since 2013.
But Carson has played more tournaments than Waselenchuk over the last 12 months, which is the ranking period, so he has passed Waselenchuk by a little over 84 points.
The seeding will probably just make Waselenchuk’s path to the final different than it usually is, although he’s probably not happy about being #2. Alvaro Beltran has moved past Daniel De La Rosa into the #3 spot, which would usually be a good thing, as it would mean avoiding Waselenchuk in the semis. But not this tournament. Sorry Señor Beltran.
Charlie Pratt, winner of the last IRT event of 2017, will try to win his 2nd IRT event this weekend, but he still has to play a qualifying match. If he wins that - versus Nicholas Riffel or Daniel Neri - Pratt will be up against Jansen Allen, then likely Daniel De La Rosa in the quarterfinals and Carson in the semis. Win #2 won't come easy, but then neither did win #1.
They are also playing doubles this weekend, and there are several good teams including top seeds Beltran and De La Rosa, and 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz. But also in the field are Allen and Pratt, Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado, David Horn and Andree Parrilla, and Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray.
Look to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for this weekend’s action. The Round of 16 will be Friday morning at 10 AM with the quarter finals Friday evening from 6 PM. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 2 PM with the doubles semis at 5 PM Saturday. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Justus Benson - BYE
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Sebastian Franco - BYE
Dane Elkins v. Dylan Reid
Sebastian Fernandez v. Joel Adler
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Charlie Pratt - BYE
Nicholas Riffel v. Daniel Neri
Adam Manilla v. Danny Lavely
Robert Collins - BYE
David Horn - BYE
John Wolfe v. Israel Torres
Mauro Rojas v. Troy Warigon
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Scott McClellan v. Luis Rivero
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck v. Justus Benson
Q1) Sebastian Franco v. Dane Elkins or Dylan Reid
Q4) Felipe Camacho v. Sebastian Fernandez or Joel Adler
Q5) Charlie Pratt v. Nicholas Riffel or Daniel Neri
Q6) Robert Collins v. Adam Manilla or Danny Lavely
Q3) David Horn v. John Wolfe or Israel Torres
Q2) Andree Parrilla v. Mauro Rojas or Troy Warigon
Q7) Jose Diaz v. Scott McClellan or Luis Rivero
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Q8 - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray v. Q1 - 11 AM
5) Jansen Allen v. Q4 - 11 AM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5 - 11 AM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Mario Mercado v. Q3 - 10 AM
7) Alejandro Landa v. Q2 - 10 AM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q7 - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel v. 9) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray v. 12) Luis Rivero & Israel Torres - Noon
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 13) Emmett Coe & Jeremy McGlothin - Noon
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt - BYE
6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla v. 11) Brian Pineda & Dane Elkins - Noon
7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins v. 10) Justus Benson & Mauro Rojas - 1 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
But Carson has played more tournaments than Waselenchuk over the last 12 months, which is the ranking period, so he has passed Waselenchuk by a little over 84 points.
The seeding will probably just make Waselenchuk’s path to the final different than it usually is, although he’s probably not happy about being #2. Alvaro Beltran has moved past Daniel De La Rosa into the #3 spot, which would usually be a good thing, as it would mean avoiding Waselenchuk in the semis. But not this tournament. Sorry Señor Beltran.
Charlie Pratt, winner of the last IRT event of 2017, will try to win his 2nd IRT event this weekend, but he still has to play a qualifying match. If he wins that - versus Nicholas Riffel or Daniel Neri - Pratt will be up against Jansen Allen, then likely Daniel De La Rosa in the quarterfinals and Carson in the semis. Win #2 won't come easy, but then neither did win #1.
They are also playing doubles this weekend, and there are several good teams including top seeds Beltran and De La Rosa, and 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz. But also in the field are Allen and Pratt, Sebastian Franco and Mario Mercado, David Horn and Andree Parrilla, and Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray.
Look to the IRT Network, or the IRT Facebook page, for this weekend’s action. The Round of 16 will be Friday morning at 10 AM with the quarter finals Friday evening from 6 PM. The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 2 PM with the doubles semis at 5 PM Saturday. The singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM followed by the doubles final at noon. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Los Angeles Open, January 4-7, 2018
Canoga Park, California
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Justus Benson - BYE
Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
Sebastian Franco - BYE
Dane Elkins v. Dylan Reid
Sebastian Fernandez v. Joel Adler
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Charlie Pratt - BYE
Nicholas Riffel v. Daniel Neri
Adam Manilla v. Danny Lavely
Robert Collins - BYE
David Horn - BYE
John Wolfe v. Israel Torres
Mauro Rojas v. Troy Warigon
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Scott McClellan v. Luis Rivero
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck v. Justus Benson
Q1) Sebastian Franco v. Dane Elkins or Dylan Reid
Q4) Felipe Camacho v. Sebastian Fernandez or Joel Adler
Q5) Charlie Pratt v. Nicholas Riffel or Daniel Neri
Q6) Robert Collins v. Adam Manilla or Danny Lavely
Q3) David Horn v. John Wolfe or Israel Torres
Q2) Andree Parrilla v. Mauro Rojas or Troy Warigon
Q7) Jose Diaz v. Scott McClellan or Luis Rivero
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. Q8 - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray v. Q1 - 11 AM
5) Jansen Allen v. Q4 - 11 AM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5 - 11 AM
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Mario Mercado v. Q3 - 10 AM
7) Alejandro Landa v. Q2 - 10 AM
2) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q7 - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Adam Manilla & Nicolas Riffel v. 9) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - Noon
5) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray v. 12) Luis Rivero & Israel Torres - Noon
4) Sebastian Franco & Mario Mercado v. 13) Emmett Coe & Jeremy McGlothin - Noon
3) Jansen Allen & Charlie Pratt - BYE
6) David Horn & Andree Parrilla v. 11) Brian Pineda & Dane Elkins - Noon
7) Felipe Camacho & Robert Collins v. 10) Justus Benson & Mauro Rojas - 1 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
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