The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has announced the 2018 World Championships will be held in San José, Costa Rica, August 10-19. Originally, Worlds were to be held in China, but the local organizing committee encountered difficulties with government approval. That led the IRF to select Cali, Colombia, which hosted the last World Championships in 2016, to host the event again.
However, as the details were being finalized for that the venue unexpected was demolished. The eight courts there were razed to the ground. This was a shocking development, and resulted in the IRF scrambling for another venue with little more than two months until Worlds are to begin.
Thus, San José has become the host.
That solves the immediate issue for the IRF, but the demolition of the courts in Cali will have implications for the Colombian racquetball association, as most of their players were from Cali and we’re not sure there’s another facility in the city. Thus, losing those courts could cripple the racquetball in Cali, specifically, and Colombia, generally.
Colombia has produced world class players, including former Men’s Doubles World Champions Sebastian Franco and Alejandro Herrera, as well as Cristina Amaya, one of the top 10 women on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). But to produce more players and continue to train the current ones, they need to have courts.
So while The Racquetball Blog is happy the IRF has a venue for Worlds, we’re concerned about what’s going to happen in Colombia moving forward.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, June 18, 2018
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Longoria wins twice at 2018 LPRT Teamroot.com Classic
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), won twice Sunday at the Teamroot.com Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, as she captured both the Women's Singles title and the Women's Doubles title with partner Samantha Salas. The wins will solidify Longoria as the #1 LPRT player in both singles and doubles for the 2017-18 LPRT season. Lambert won 7 tournaments this season, which concluded with the Sunday finals.
In the singles final, Longoria defeated LPRT #2 Frédérique Lambert, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4, 11-2, and she and Salas beat Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-13, 15-6, in the doubles final.
The singles final was unusual, as the first two games were mirror images of each other. In game one, Lambert got the good start with a 6-1 lead only to see Longoria score 10 unanswered points to win it, 11-6. The reverse happened in game two, when Longoria took a 6-1 lead with Lambert then scoring 10 points to win that game, 11-6, and level the match at 1-1.
In game three, they were close early with ties at 2-2 and 4-4. But then Longoria edged ahead with a point followed by an exchange of sideouts three times to make the score 7-4. Longoria scored four straight points from there, including a drive serve ace to the left side of the court, that got her to game point at 10-4. She won game three on the next rally with a forehand cross court winner.
Longoria got the first three points of game four, and really never looked back, as she went on to win, 11-2. Despite the lopsided score, there were several sideouts, so Lambert had many chances to get points. She simply didn't. Longoria won the game and match with a drive serve to the left side that caught Lambert unawares, as she had moved to the right thinking the serve was going that direction rather than where Longoria actually hit it.
In the doubles final, Mendez and Vargas led for much of game one, including at 12-9 and 13-12. However, they couldn't finish it off, as Longoria and Salas held them at 13 over four serves, as they went from 13-12 down to 14-13 up. Credit Mendez and Vargas for holding off two game points at that score, but after getting the sideout, they couldn't score themselves, as Salas hit two winners to get her side the serve back. Longoria then won it with a forehand to the left side.
After coming up short in game one, it seemed predictable that game two would not be close, and it wasn't. Longoria and Salas went up 6-0 and 11-1. Mendez and Vargas did claw a few points back before falling, 15-6. Mendez and Vargas tried a few different strategies, including switching sides (Vargas began the match on the left and Mendez on the right), and both serving to Salas, but nothing was ultimately successful against the three time World Champions.
If you missed any of the action from Kansas, go to the LPRT website and click "Live Streaming."
The 2018 LPRT Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4, 11-2
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-13, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the singles final, Longoria defeated LPRT #2 Frédérique Lambert, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4, 11-2, and she and Salas beat Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-13, 15-6, in the doubles final.
The singles final was unusual, as the first two games were mirror images of each other. In game one, Lambert got the good start with a 6-1 lead only to see Longoria score 10 unanswered points to win it, 11-6. The reverse happened in game two, when Longoria took a 6-1 lead with Lambert then scoring 10 points to win that game, 11-6, and level the match at 1-1.
In game three, they were close early with ties at 2-2 and 4-4. But then Longoria edged ahead with a point followed by an exchange of sideouts three times to make the score 7-4. Longoria scored four straight points from there, including a drive serve ace to the left side of the court, that got her to game point at 10-4. She won game three on the next rally with a forehand cross court winner.
Longoria got the first three points of game four, and really never looked back, as she went on to win, 11-2. Despite the lopsided score, there were several sideouts, so Lambert had many chances to get points. She simply didn't. Longoria won the game and match with a drive serve to the left side that caught Lambert unawares, as she had moved to the right thinking the serve was going that direction rather than where Longoria actually hit it.
In the doubles final, Mendez and Vargas led for much of game one, including at 12-9 and 13-12. However, they couldn't finish it off, as Longoria and Salas held them at 13 over four serves, as they went from 13-12 down to 14-13 up. Credit Mendez and Vargas for holding off two game points at that score, but after getting the sideout, they couldn't score themselves, as Salas hit two winners to get her side the serve back. Longoria then won it with a forehand to the left side.
After coming up short in game one, it seemed predictable that game two would not be close, and it wasn't. Longoria and Salas went up 6-0 and 11-1. Mendez and Vargas did claw a few points back before falling, 15-6. Mendez and Vargas tried a few different strategies, including switching sides (Vargas began the match on the left and Mendez on the right), and both serving to Salas, but nothing was ultimately successful against the three time World Champions.
If you missed any of the action from Kansas, go to the LPRT website and click "Live Streaming."
The 2018 LPRT Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4, 11-2
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-13, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Longoria & Lambert in the 2018 Teamroot.com LPRT final
It'll be #1 versus #2 Sunday in the final of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s) Teamroot.com Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, when LPRT #1 Paola Longoria takes on #2 Frédérique Lambert. They both won their respective semi-finals in three straight games. Longoria defeated her doubles partner, Samantha Salas, 11-5, 11-1, 11-8, and Lambert beat Nancy Enriquez, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4.
Salas had beaten Longoria the last time they played on the LPRT, but today Longoria seemed like she wanted to let Salas and everyone else know who the #1 player is. But wasn't an easy start to the match, or a quick one, as Salas had early leads at 2-0 and 4-3. After 27 rallies, they were tied 4-4.
Longoria broke that tie with a backhand winner, and Salas called timeout. She got the serve back when Longoria skipped a forehand pinch shot. But Salas couldn't score herself, so Longoria continued to add up the points, getting to 10-4 before Salas got her next point, which was her last of the game, as Longoria won it 11-5.
Game two was all Longoria, as she took a 6-0 lead, and won 11-1. All good right? Yes, but Salas's two wins over Longoria on tour came after she was down two games, and they were both within the last year: 12 months ago in Chihuahua, Mexico as well as 2 months ago in San Antonio.
There was a hint that Salas might do the same thing on Saturday, as she was up 5-1 in game three. However, Longoria caught up at 6-6, and then went ahead to 9-6. Salas took her turn in coming back, and got within one at 9-8 with a drive serve ace to the right side.
But she gave up the serve after skipping a backhand shot. They traded sideouts, and when Longoria next got the serve, she called timeout. That proved to be wise, as Longoria got her 10th point with a backhand pinch shot, and then won it with a forehand winner. That ended the game, 11-8, and match in three straight games.
Lambert and Enriquez displayed how crucial serving is to racquetball, especially in game one. They were close all the way, and Enriquez led early, 5-2, and late on at 8-6. She got that early lead with three aces and a service winner. For her part, Lambert came back with three aces. Her fourth was a drive Z serve to the right that put Lambert on game point at 10-8. A forehand winner ended the game, 11-8, for Lambert.
They were close again early in game two with Enriquez always leading until a 4-4 tie. From there, Lambert went ahead, and she stayed ahead, going to win 11-7, when Enriquez skipped a forehand return off another drive Z to the right side. But the point game came on the rally before that, when the ball came into the Lambert's body chest high, jamming her. Yet she managed to hit a backhand reverse pinch shot for a winner. Lambert really just directed the ball over to the front right corner.
Game three was over quickly, as Lambert went up 9-0. Enriquez did keep fighting, and was able to score a few points before Lambert closed it out, 11-4, with a drive serve ace to the left side.
So, it will be Longoria versus Lambert in the singles final Sunday, but Longoria got the better of Lambert in the doubles semi-finals, as Longoria and Salas beat Lambert and Jen Saunders, 15-3, 15-2. They'll play Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas in the final, as Mendez and Vargas won the other semi by defeating Masiel Rivera and Adriana Riveros, 15-5, 15-13.
The finals are Sunday morning at 11 AM and noon - singles and doubles, respectively, and you can see them live via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2018 LPRT The Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Samantha Salas, 11-5, 11-1, 11-8
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 6) Nancy Enriquez, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 2) Frédérique Lambert - 11 AM
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders, 15-3, 15-2
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros, 15-5, 15-13
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Salas had beaten Longoria the last time they played on the LPRT, but today Longoria seemed like she wanted to let Salas and everyone else know who the #1 player is. But wasn't an easy start to the match, or a quick one, as Salas had early leads at 2-0 and 4-3. After 27 rallies, they were tied 4-4.
Longoria broke that tie with a backhand winner, and Salas called timeout. She got the serve back when Longoria skipped a forehand pinch shot. But Salas couldn't score herself, so Longoria continued to add up the points, getting to 10-4 before Salas got her next point, which was her last of the game, as Longoria won it 11-5.
Game two was all Longoria, as she took a 6-0 lead, and won 11-1. All good right? Yes, but Salas's two wins over Longoria on tour came after she was down two games, and they were both within the last year: 12 months ago in Chihuahua, Mexico as well as 2 months ago in San Antonio.
There was a hint that Salas might do the same thing on Saturday, as she was up 5-1 in game three. However, Longoria caught up at 6-6, and then went ahead to 9-6. Salas took her turn in coming back, and got within one at 9-8 with a drive serve ace to the right side.
But she gave up the serve after skipping a backhand shot. They traded sideouts, and when Longoria next got the serve, she called timeout. That proved to be wise, as Longoria got her 10th point with a backhand pinch shot, and then won it with a forehand winner. That ended the game, 11-8, and match in three straight games.
Lambert and Enriquez displayed how crucial serving is to racquetball, especially in game one. They were close all the way, and Enriquez led early, 5-2, and late on at 8-6. She got that early lead with three aces and a service winner. For her part, Lambert came back with three aces. Her fourth was a drive Z serve to the right that put Lambert on game point at 10-8. A forehand winner ended the game, 11-8, for Lambert.
They were close again early in game two with Enriquez always leading until a 4-4 tie. From there, Lambert went ahead, and she stayed ahead, going to win 11-7, when Enriquez skipped a forehand return off another drive Z to the right side. But the point game came on the rally before that, when the ball came into the Lambert's body chest high, jamming her. Yet she managed to hit a backhand reverse pinch shot for a winner. Lambert really just directed the ball over to the front right corner.
Game three was over quickly, as Lambert went up 9-0. Enriquez did keep fighting, and was able to score a few points before Lambert closed it out, 11-4, with a drive serve ace to the left side.
So, it will be Longoria versus Lambert in the singles final Sunday, but Longoria got the better of Lambert in the doubles semi-finals, as Longoria and Salas beat Lambert and Jen Saunders, 15-3, 15-2. They'll play Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas in the final, as Mendez and Vargas won the other semi by defeating Masiel Rivera and Adriana Riveros, 15-5, 15-13.
The finals are Sunday morning at 11 AM and noon - singles and doubles, respectively, and you can see them live via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2018 LPRT The Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Samantha Salas, 11-5, 11-1, 11-8
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 6) Nancy Enriquez, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 2) Frédérique Lambert - 11 AM
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders, 15-3, 15-2
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros, 15-5, 15-13
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
2018 LPRT Teamroot.com Classic - Quarterfinals
Nancy Enriquez had the only upset win in the quarterfinals at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s) Teamroot.com Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, as she knocked off the #3 seed Rhonda Rajsich in three close games, 12-10, 11-5, 11-8. Enriquez will play 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert, who defeated 7th seed Maria Jose Vargas in four games, 13-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-9.
On the top of the draw, doubles partners will face off in the semi-finals, as LPRT #1 Paola Longoria will face 5th seed Samantha Salas. Salas defeated Longoria in their last meeting: the final of the LPRT Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio in April. In the quarterfinals, Longoria beat 8th seed Adriana Riveros, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9, and Salas defeated 13th seed Gabriela Martinez, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9.
The Lambert-Vargas match was close, as expected. They were close throughout game one, and Vargas actually served for the game three times: once at 10-8, and twice at 11-10. But each time Lambert hit winners to deny Vargas the game. After the third time, Lambert called a timeout before serving at 10-11.
The timeout worked, as she came in and won three straight rallies to take game one, 13-11. The winner was a drive serve ace, as the ball jumped out of the back left corner right at Vargas, who had moved over to return it. But Lambert's best shot in these three rallies was a backhand rekill down the line that got her to game point at 12-11.
Vargas was unfazed by dropping game one, as she came out strong in game two, taking an early 6-0 lead. Lambert did respond with five points that cut the lead to 6-5, but that's as close as it got, as Vargas went on to win relatively comfortably, 11-6.
Tables flipped again in game three, as Lambert led 2-0 and 5-1, en route to an 11-3 win. However in game four, Vargas had the stronger start with a lead of 5-1. But that took a long time to develop, as they were at 5-1 after 20 rallies.
From there, Lambert stepped it up to tie it at 6-6, and then they went back and forth with ties at 7-7 and 9-9. Vargas tied it at 9-9 with a forehand reverse pinch, but Lambert got the serve right back. She then hit an ace drive Z serve to the right side to make it 10-9. Lambert then drove the ball to the left side, and Vargas hit a winning cross court return to deny Lambert her first match point. But Vargas skipped a backhand to give the serve right back.
Lambrt called a timeout before serving at 10-9 for a second time. Two hinders prevented her from closing it out until her third serve, which led to a backhand pinch winner, ending the game 11-9 and the match in four games.
The shot of the match came from Lambert, when she dove for a ball early in game three. Lambert, who is not known for diving, laid out in the middle of the court, and hit a backhand reverse winner to the right corner.
Lambert also made the quote of the match, as she was appealing to the referee for a wet ball serve in game one. Lambert hit one of her typical lob serves that seemed to slide along the left side wall rather than just kissing off it. But the referee didn't call a wet ball serve, so Lambert explained to her that "my serve is amazing" but not when it slides along the wall, which should have been called a wet ball. The referee wasn't persuaded by Lambert's argument.
The semi-finals go Saturday afternoon, and you can see them live via the LPRT LiveStream channel beginning at 4 and 5 PM with the singles semis. The doubles semis will follow at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon.
2018 LPRT The Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Adriana Riveros, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9
5) Samantha Salas d. 13) Gabriela Martinez, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9
6) Nancy Enriquez d. 3) Rhonda Rajsich, 12-10, 11-5, 11-8
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 7) Maria Jose Vargas, 13-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-9
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria v. 5) Samantha Salas - 5 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 6) Nancy Enriquez - 4 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders - 7 PM
2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
On the top of the draw, doubles partners will face off in the semi-finals, as LPRT #1 Paola Longoria will face 5th seed Samantha Salas. Salas defeated Longoria in their last meeting: the final of the LPRT Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio in April. In the quarterfinals, Longoria beat 8th seed Adriana Riveros, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9, and Salas defeated 13th seed Gabriela Martinez, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9.
The Lambert-Vargas match was close, as expected. They were close throughout game one, and Vargas actually served for the game three times: once at 10-8, and twice at 11-10. But each time Lambert hit winners to deny Vargas the game. After the third time, Lambert called a timeout before serving at 10-11.
The timeout worked, as she came in and won three straight rallies to take game one, 13-11. The winner was a drive serve ace, as the ball jumped out of the back left corner right at Vargas, who had moved over to return it. But Lambert's best shot in these three rallies was a backhand rekill down the line that got her to game point at 12-11.
Vargas was unfazed by dropping game one, as she came out strong in game two, taking an early 6-0 lead. Lambert did respond with five points that cut the lead to 6-5, but that's as close as it got, as Vargas went on to win relatively comfortably, 11-6.
Tables flipped again in game three, as Lambert led 2-0 and 5-1, en route to an 11-3 win. However in game four, Vargas had the stronger start with a lead of 5-1. But that took a long time to develop, as they were at 5-1 after 20 rallies.
From there, Lambert stepped it up to tie it at 6-6, and then they went back and forth with ties at 7-7 and 9-9. Vargas tied it at 9-9 with a forehand reverse pinch, but Lambert got the serve right back. She then hit an ace drive Z serve to the right side to make it 10-9. Lambert then drove the ball to the left side, and Vargas hit a winning cross court return to deny Lambert her first match point. But Vargas skipped a backhand to give the serve right back.
Lambrt called a timeout before serving at 10-9 for a second time. Two hinders prevented her from closing it out until her third serve, which led to a backhand pinch winner, ending the game 11-9 and the match in four games.
The shot of the match came from Lambert, when she dove for a ball early in game three. Lambert, who is not known for diving, laid out in the middle of the court, and hit a backhand reverse winner to the right corner.
Lambert also made the quote of the match, as she was appealing to the referee for a wet ball serve in game one. Lambert hit one of her typical lob serves that seemed to slide along the left side wall rather than just kissing off it. But the referee didn't call a wet ball serve, so Lambert explained to her that "my serve is amazing" but not when it slides along the wall, which should have been called a wet ball. The referee wasn't persuaded by Lambert's argument.
The semi-finals go Saturday afternoon, and you can see them live via the LPRT LiveStream channel beginning at 4 and 5 PM with the singles semis. The doubles semis will follow at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon.
2018 LPRT The Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Adriana Riveros, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9
5) Samantha Salas d. 13) Gabriela Martinez, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9
6) Nancy Enriquez d. 3) Rhonda Rajsich, 12-10, 11-5, 11-8
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 7) Maria Jose Vargas, 13-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-9
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria v. 5) Samantha Salas - 5 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 6) Nancy Enriquez - 4 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders - 7 PM
2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, June 8, 2018
2018 LPRT Teamroot.com Classic - Round of 16
The Teamroot.com Classic - last event of the 2017-18 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s) - is on now in Overland Park, Kansas, and already there has been a significant upset, as 13th seed Gabriela Martinez defeated 4th seed Natalia Mendez, 11-4, 5-11, 11-3, 11-0. Mendez is coming off a week of racquetball at the South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia, so may not have recovered from that, and Martinez is a strong player, despite her seeding. Martinez will play 5th seed Samantha Salas in the quarterfinals on Saturday, as Salas beat 12th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3.
There's a small draw in Overland Park, and a few of the top players aren't there. LPRT #3 Jessica Parrilla suffered an injury at the Mexico National Team event last weekend, so she's not there, and neither is LPRT #5 Alexandra Herrera or #9 Cristina Amaya, who like Mendez competed at the South American Games last week.
Nonetheless, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria is in Kansas, as is #2 Frédérique Lambert and #4 Rhonda Rajsich. They are also playing doubles, and Lambert is playing with Canadian Jen Saunders as a tune up for the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships that will happen in August. They defeated Rajsich and Sheryl Lotts in two close games, 15-11, 15-13, and will play Longoria and Salas in the semi-finals on Saturday.
The match of the tournament may come in the quarterfinals, when Lambert faces 7th seed - but former LPRT #2 - Maria Jose Vargas. They both won their Round of 16 matches in three straight games. Lambert defeated 15th seed Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 12-10, 11-4, and Vargas beat Lotts, 11-5, 11-1, 11-5.
Watch the action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel. The singles quarterfinals are Saturday morning at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 4 and 5 PM. The doubles semis are at 6 and 7 PM Saturday. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon.
2018 LPRT The Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Jen Saunders, 11-2, 11-5, 11-0
8) Adriana Riveros d. 9) Suasana Acosta, 11-4, 3-11, 11-1, 8-11, 11-2
5) Samantha Salas d. 12) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3
13) Gabriela Martinez d. 4) Natalia Mendez, 11-4, 5-11, 11-3, 11-0
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 14) Cassi Lee, 11-1, 11-5, 11-3
6) Nancy Enriquez d. 8) Adrienne Haynes, 11-4, 11-2, 15-13
7) Maria Jose Vargas d. 10) Sheryl Lotts, 11-5, 11-1, 11-5
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 15) Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 12-10, 11-4
Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Adriana Riveros - 11 AM
5) Samantha Salas v. 13) Gabriela Martinez - 11 AM
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Nancy Enriquez - 10 AM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Maria Jose Vargas - 10 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders d. 4) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-11, 15-13
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 13) Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-9, 8-15, 11-4
2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros d. 7) Adrienne Haynes & Cassi Lee, 15-8, 15-6
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders - 7 PM
2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
There's a small draw in Overland Park, and a few of the top players aren't there. LPRT #3 Jessica Parrilla suffered an injury at the Mexico National Team event last weekend, so she's not there, and neither is LPRT #5 Alexandra Herrera or #9 Cristina Amaya, who like Mendez competed at the South American Games last week.
Nonetheless, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria is in Kansas, as is #2 Frédérique Lambert and #4 Rhonda Rajsich. They are also playing doubles, and Lambert is playing with Canadian Jen Saunders as a tune up for the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships that will happen in August. They defeated Rajsich and Sheryl Lotts in two close games, 15-11, 15-13, and will play Longoria and Salas in the semi-finals on Saturday.
The match of the tournament may come in the quarterfinals, when Lambert faces 7th seed - but former LPRT #2 - Maria Jose Vargas. They both won their Round of 16 matches in three straight games. Lambert defeated 15th seed Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 12-10, 11-4, and Vargas beat Lotts, 11-5, 11-1, 11-5.
Watch the action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel. The singles quarterfinals are Saturday morning at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 4 and 5 PM. The doubles semis are at 6 and 7 PM Saturday. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon.
2018 LPRT The Teamroot.com Classic, June 8-10, 2018
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Jen Saunders, 11-2, 11-5, 11-0
8) Adriana Riveros d. 9) Suasana Acosta, 11-4, 3-11, 11-1, 8-11, 11-2
5) Samantha Salas d. 12) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3
13) Gabriela Martinez d. 4) Natalia Mendez, 11-4, 5-11, 11-3, 11-0
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 14) Cassi Lee, 11-1, 11-5, 11-3
6) Nancy Enriquez d. 8) Adrienne Haynes, 11-4, 11-2, 15-13
7) Maria Jose Vargas d. 10) Sheryl Lotts, 11-5, 11-1, 11-5
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 15) Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 12-10, 11-4
Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Adriana Riveros - 11 AM
5) Samantha Salas v. 13) Gabriela Martinez - 11 AM
3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Nancy Enriquez - 10 AM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Maria Jose Vargas - 10 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders d. 4) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-11, 15-13
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 13) Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-9, 8-15, 11-4
2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros d. 7) Adrienne Haynes & Cassi Lee, 15-8, 15-6
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Frédérique Lambert & Jen Saunders - 7 PM
2) Masiel Rivera & Adriana Riveros v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Argentina & Bolivia win Women's & Men's Team events, respectively, at 2018 South American Games
Argentina won the Women’s Team event, and host country Bolivia won the Men’s Team event on Sunday at the 2018 South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Argentina defeated Bolivia in the Women’s Team Final, 2-0, and Bolivia defeated Colombia 2-0 in the Men’s Team Final, but all four of the matches went tie-breaker.
In the Women’s Team final, Argentines Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas came back from a game down to defeat Bolivians Stefanny Barrios and Jenny Daza, 13-15, 15-12, 11-4, in women’s doubles, and Mendez won a singles match against Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 15-8, 12-15, 11-4.
In the Men’s Team final, Carlos Keller of Bolivia defeated Mario Mercado of Colombia in singles, 15-10, 10-15, 11-8, and then in doubles, his brother Roland Keller and Conrrado Moscoso fought back after losing game one to beat Mercado and Sebastian Franco (Colombia) in three games, 13-15, 15-13, 11-6.
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Argentina d. Bolivia, 2-0
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 13-15, 15-12, 11-4
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 15-8, 12-15, 11-4
MEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Bolivia d. Colombia, 2-0
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado (Colombia), 15-10, 10-15, 11-8
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 13-15, 15-13, 11-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the Women’s Team final, Argentines Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas came back from a game down to defeat Bolivians Stefanny Barrios and Jenny Daza, 13-15, 15-12, 11-4, in women’s doubles, and Mendez won a singles match against Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 15-8, 12-15, 11-4.
In the Men’s Team final, Carlos Keller of Bolivia defeated Mario Mercado of Colombia in singles, 15-10, 10-15, 11-8, and then in doubles, his brother Roland Keller and Conrrado Moscoso fought back after losing game one to beat Mercado and Sebastian Franco (Colombia) in three games, 13-15, 15-13, 11-6.
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Argentina d. Bolivia, 2-0
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 13-15, 15-12, 11-4
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 15-8, 12-15, 11-4
MEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Bolivia d. Colombia, 2-0
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado (Colombia), 15-10, 10-15, 11-8
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 13-15, 15-13, 11-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Herrera & Mejia win Women's Doubes, will represent Mexico at 2018 World Championships
There will be new faces on Team Mexico at the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships after Alexandra Herrera and Monserrat Mejia won Women’s Doubles at the Mexican National Team selection event in San Luis Potosi by defeating top seeds Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas Solis in the final, 6-15, 15-9, 11-10.
In the breaker, Herrera and Mejia jumped out to a 5-0 lead, causing the former World Champions, Longoria and Salas Solis, to call a timeout. That did lead to a side out, and Longoria and Salas Solis got on the board after that by getting to within one at 5-4.
But Herrera and Mejia extended the lead again to four points at 8-4. Longoria and Salas Solis responded again, and tied the game at 8-8. They went ahead 9-8, but Herrera and Mejia got the serve back at that point. They scored two points to get to match point, which happened after Salas Solis returned a Mejia lob Z serve into the floor.
Longoria hit a winner to stave off that game point, and get her side the serve back. But first they called timeout. However, they were half down right after play resumed as Herrera hit a forehand rollout winner.
Then on the next rally, Longoria held up for Herrera, and an avoidable hinder was called, which at best seemed very generous. Herrera and Mejia appealed but the line judges upheld the call, which made the score 10-10.
Longoria held up again for Herrera on the ensuing rally, which was called a hinder, although it seemed more like an avoidable than what was called on the previous rally. But Longoria didn’t ask for the avoidable. Perhaps she didn’t because it was match point.
Maybe Longoria should have looked for another avoidable, as Herrera rolled another forehand out on the next rally after Longoria was not able to put the ball down with her backhand. Left-hander Herrera won the match for her side on their second match point with a forehand pinch shot that was flat out of the front left corner, and made the score 11-10. Mejia was the stronger player for her side early in the tie-breaker, but Herrera's three consecutive winners got them over the line to finish the game and match.
Longoria and Salas Solis will be going to Worlds as the Mexican players in Women’s Singles, as they were the finalists in that division, with Longoria defeating Salas Solis, 15-5, 15-7.
There will also be a new face on the men’s side, as Rodrigo Montoya was a finalist in Men’s Singles, although he lost the final to Daniel De La Rosa, 15-0, 15-8, in what seemed to be a very pedestrian match. But as they had qualified in singles by being in the final maybe there wasn’t much to play for, and both Montoya and De La Rosa were also in the Men’s Doubles final.
De La Rosa and veteran Alvaro Beltran won the Men’s Doubles final over Montoya and Javier Mar, 15-13, 13-15, 11-3. Thus, Beltran will have a chance to defend the Men’s Doubles World Championship title he won in 2016 with Javier Moreno.
If Beltran successfully defends the title, then it will be his 4th Men’s Doubles World Championship. The previous three were all won with Moreno: in 2006, 2012 and 2016. Beltran also won Men’s Singles at the 2000 World Championships. He’s the only man to have won both singles and doubles at Worlds.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Samantha Salas Solis, 15-5, 15-7
Women's Open - Final - Sunday
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis, 11-10
Men's Open Singles
Final - Sunday
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-0, 15-8
Men's Open Doubles
Final - Sunday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya, 15-13, 13-15, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the breaker, Herrera and Mejia jumped out to a 5-0 lead, causing the former World Champions, Longoria and Salas Solis, to call a timeout. That did lead to a side out, and Longoria and Salas Solis got on the board after that by getting to within one at 5-4.
But Herrera and Mejia extended the lead again to four points at 8-4. Longoria and Salas Solis responded again, and tied the game at 8-8. They went ahead 9-8, but Herrera and Mejia got the serve back at that point. They scored two points to get to match point, which happened after Salas Solis returned a Mejia lob Z serve into the floor.
Longoria hit a winner to stave off that game point, and get her side the serve back. But first they called timeout. However, they were half down right after play resumed as Herrera hit a forehand rollout winner.
Then on the next rally, Longoria held up for Herrera, and an avoidable hinder was called, which at best seemed very generous. Herrera and Mejia appealed but the line judges upheld the call, which made the score 10-10.
Longoria held up again for Herrera on the ensuing rally, which was called a hinder, although it seemed more like an avoidable than what was called on the previous rally. But Longoria didn’t ask for the avoidable. Perhaps she didn’t because it was match point.
Maybe Longoria should have looked for another avoidable, as Herrera rolled another forehand out on the next rally after Longoria was not able to put the ball down with her backhand. Left-hander Herrera won the match for her side on their second match point with a forehand pinch shot that was flat out of the front left corner, and made the score 11-10. Mejia was the stronger player for her side early in the tie-breaker, but Herrera's three consecutive winners got them over the line to finish the game and match.
Longoria and Salas Solis will be going to Worlds as the Mexican players in Women’s Singles, as they were the finalists in that division, with Longoria defeating Salas Solis, 15-5, 15-7.
There will also be a new face on the men’s side, as Rodrigo Montoya was a finalist in Men’s Singles, although he lost the final to Daniel De La Rosa, 15-0, 15-8, in what seemed to be a very pedestrian match. But as they had qualified in singles by being in the final maybe there wasn’t much to play for, and both Montoya and De La Rosa were also in the Men’s Doubles final.
De La Rosa and veteran Alvaro Beltran won the Men’s Doubles final over Montoya and Javier Mar, 15-13, 13-15, 11-3. Thus, Beltran will have a chance to defend the Men’s Doubles World Championship title he won in 2016 with Javier Moreno.
If Beltran successfully defends the title, then it will be his 4th Men’s Doubles World Championship. The previous three were all won with Moreno: in 2006, 2012 and 2016. Beltran also won Men’s Singles at the 2000 World Championships. He’s the only man to have won both singles and doubles at Worlds.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Samantha Salas Solis, 15-5, 15-7
Women's Open - Final - Sunday
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis, 11-10
Men's Open Singles
Final - Sunday
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-0, 15-8
Men's Open Doubles
Final - Sunday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya, 15-13, 13-15, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball….
Semi-final results from the 2018 Mexico National Team Selection Event
The top seeds will face off in the finals of all four divisions - Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles - Sunday at the Mexican National Team selection event in San Luis Potosi. Top women’s seed, Paola Longoria will play 2nd seed Samantha Salas Solis in the final, with men’s top seed Rodrigo Montoya playing 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa in the men’s final.
They could all be double winners Sunday, as all four singles finalists are also in the doubles finals. Longoria and Salas Solis are playing together in Women’s Doubles and are the #1 seeds, who will face #2 seeds Alexandra Herrera and Monserrat Mejia in the final. Montoya is playing in the Men’s final with Javier Mar and they are the 2nd seeds, who will play 1st seeds De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran.
In the Women’s Doubles semis, Longoria and Salas Solis beat 4th seeds Montserrat Perez and Erin Rivera, 15-6, 15-1, while Herrera and Mejia got by Enriquez and Jessica Parrilla by injury forfeit. Enriquez and Parrilla were in control of game one, leading 12-4, when Parrilla jumped to get out of the way of a shot by Herrera. She seemed to land without difficulty, but then on her next move immediately fell to the ground in pain, grabbing for her left leg.
Parrilla left the court of her own accord, but was not able to put much weight on her left leg, which she was keeping pretty straight.
Both Men’s Singles semi-finals had the same storyline as Montoya and De La Rosa each lost the first game of their respective semis. Montoya faced his doubles partner Mar, who won game one, 15-11, but Montoya won game two by a wide margin, 15-3, and then squeaked out the tie-breaker, 11-10. De La Rosa narrowly lost the first game of his semi against Andree Parrilla, 15-14, but then won the next two, 15-2, 11-6.
In the Men’s Doubles semi-finals, Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa defeated Alejandro Cardona and Alejandro Landa, 15-14, 15-7, while Mar and Montoya beat Parrilla and Edson Martinez,15-8, 15-10.
By reaching the singles finals, Longoria and Salas Solis on the women’s side, and Montoya and De La Rosa on the men’s side, have qualified to represent Mexico in singles at the 2018 World Championships this summer. The doubles winners on Sunday will qualify to be the doubles representatives.
Play concludes Sunday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 4) Nancy Enriquez, 15-2, 15-3
2) Samantha Salas Solis d. 14) Lucia Gonzalez, 15-3, 15-3
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 2) Samantha Salas Solis - Noon
Women's Open - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis d. 4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera, 15-6, 15-1
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla, 4-12, injury forfeit
Women's Open - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 2 PM
Men's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 13) Javier Mar, 11-15, 15-3, 11-10
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 14-15, 15-2, 11-6
Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 2) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
Men's Open Doubles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa, 15-14, 15-7
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 15-10
Final - Sunday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
They could all be double winners Sunday, as all four singles finalists are also in the doubles finals. Longoria and Salas Solis are playing together in Women’s Doubles and are the #1 seeds, who will face #2 seeds Alexandra Herrera and Monserrat Mejia in the final. Montoya is playing in the Men’s final with Javier Mar and they are the 2nd seeds, who will play 1st seeds De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran.
In the Women’s Doubles semis, Longoria and Salas Solis beat 4th seeds Montserrat Perez and Erin Rivera, 15-6, 15-1, while Herrera and Mejia got by Enriquez and Jessica Parrilla by injury forfeit. Enriquez and Parrilla were in control of game one, leading 12-4, when Parrilla jumped to get out of the way of a shot by Herrera. She seemed to land without difficulty, but then on her next move immediately fell to the ground in pain, grabbing for her left leg.
Parrilla left the court of her own accord, but was not able to put much weight on her left leg, which she was keeping pretty straight.
Both Men’s Singles semi-finals had the same storyline as Montoya and De La Rosa each lost the first game of their respective semis. Montoya faced his doubles partner Mar, who won game one, 15-11, but Montoya won game two by a wide margin, 15-3, and then squeaked out the tie-breaker, 11-10. De La Rosa narrowly lost the first game of his semi against Andree Parrilla, 15-14, but then won the next two, 15-2, 11-6.
In the Men’s Doubles semi-finals, Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa defeated Alejandro Cardona and Alejandro Landa, 15-14, 15-7, while Mar and Montoya beat Parrilla and Edson Martinez,15-8, 15-10.
By reaching the singles finals, Longoria and Salas Solis on the women’s side, and Montoya and De La Rosa on the men’s side, have qualified to represent Mexico in singles at the 2018 World Championships this summer. The doubles winners on Sunday will qualify to be the doubles representatives.
Play concludes Sunday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 4) Nancy Enriquez, 15-2, 15-3
2) Samantha Salas Solis d. 14) Lucia Gonzalez, 15-3, 15-3
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 2) Samantha Salas Solis - Noon
Women's Open - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis d. 4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera, 15-6, 15-1
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla, 4-12, injury forfeit
Women's Open - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 2 PM
Men's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 13) Javier Mar, 11-15, 15-3, 11-10
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 14-15, 15-2, 11-6
Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 2) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
Men's Open Doubles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa, 15-14, 15-7
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 15-10
Final - Sunday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Bolivia in both Men's & Women's Team finals at 2018 South American Games
Host country Bolivia will play for gold in both Men’s and Women’s Team competitions on Sunday at the 2018 South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In the Men’s Team final, Bolivia will play Colombia, while in the Women’s Team final they’ll take on Argentina.
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Argentina v. Bolivia
Semi-finals
Argentina d. Ecuador - 2-0
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador)
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador)
Bolivia d. Colombia - 2-0
Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
MEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Bolivia v. Colombia
Semi-finals
Bolivia d. Chile - 2-0
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) d. Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Colombia d. Ecuador - 2-0
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Round 1
Chile d. Peru - 2-0
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Oscar Navarro (Peru)
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru)
Follow the bouncing ball….
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Argentina v. Bolivia
Semi-finals
Argentina d. Ecuador - 2-0
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador)
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador)
Bolivia d. Colombia - 2-0
Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
MEN’S TEAM
Final - Sunday
Bolivia v. Colombia
Semi-finals
Bolivia d. Chile - 2-0
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) d. Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Colombia d. Ecuador - 2-0
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Round 1
Chile d. Peru - 2-0
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Oscar Navarro (Peru)
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Quarterfinal results from Mexican National Team Selection Event
Three of the top four seeds in both Men’s and Women’s Singles are through to the semi-finals at the Mexican National Team selection event in San Luis Potosi. On the women’s side, Lucia Gonzalez is the exception, as she’s seeded 14th, and defeated 6th Susana Acosta in the quarterfinals Friday, 15-8, 15-12. Gonzalez beat 3rd seed Alexandra Herrera on Thursday in the Round of 16.
Gonzalez will play 2nd seed Samantha Salas in the semi-finals, as Salas beat Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-7, in the quarters. The other semi-final will be between top seed Paola Longoria and 4th seed Nancy Enriquez. In the quarters, Longoria was a winner over Lilo Aguilar, 15-6, 15-4, and Enriquez beat Monserrat Mejia, 15-6, 15-7.
In Men’s Singles, Javiar Mar, who is seeded 13th, upset 5th seed Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-4, in the quarters, although that’s not really a surprise, as Mar was the Pan American Championship gold medalist in Men’s Singles last year. He’ll play top seed Rodrigo Montoya in the semi-finals Saturday, as Montoya beat Javier Estrada, 15-9, 15-7, in the quarterfinals.
On the other side of draw, 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa will face off with 3rd seed Andree Parrilla in the semi-finals. In the quarterfinals, De La Rosa beat Christian Longoria, 15-9, 15-11, and Parrilla defeated his doubles partner, Edson Martinez, 15-12, 15-8.
The finalists in Men’s and Women’s Singles will represent Mexico at the 2018 World Championships, and the winning teams in Men’s and Women’s Doubles will be the respective Mexican doubles teams at Worlds.
Play continues Saturday and will conclude Sunday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Lilo Aguilar, 15-6, 15-4
4) Nancy Enriquez d. 5) Monserrat Mejia, 15-6, 15-7
14) Lucia Gonzalez d. 6) Susana Acosta, 15-8, 15-12
2) Samantha Salas Solis d. 7) Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 4) Nancy Enriquez - 2 PM
2) Samantha Salas Solis v. 14) Lucia Gonzalez - 1:10 PM
Women's Open - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis d. 8) Eleni Guzman & Lucia Gonzalez, 15-5, 15-8
4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera d. 5) Lilo Aguilar & Ana Laura Flores, 15-13, 7-15, 11-5
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla d. 6) Denisse Maldonado & Daniela Rico, 15-1, 15-2
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 7) Susana Acosta & Delia Aguilar, 15-6, 15-7
Women's Open - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis v. 4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera - 7:50 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia v. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - 5:20 PM
Men's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 9) Javier Estrada, 15-9, 15-7
13) Javier Mar d. 5) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-4
3) Andree Parrilla d. 6) Edson Martinez, 15-12, 15-8
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 7) Christian Longoria, 15-9, 15-11
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 13) Javier Mar - 2:50 PM
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 3) Andree Parrilla - 3:40 PM
Men's Open Doubles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 8) Eduardo Portillo & Rodrigo Rodriguez, 15-6, 15-6
5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa d. 4) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera, 15-4, 15-10
3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla d. 6) Jordy Alonso & Ernesto Ochoa, 15-14, 4-15, 11-7
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 7) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria, 15-5, 15-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa - 7 PM
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla - 6:10 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Gonzalez will play 2nd seed Samantha Salas in the semi-finals, as Salas beat Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-7, in the quarters. The other semi-final will be between top seed Paola Longoria and 4th seed Nancy Enriquez. In the quarters, Longoria was a winner over Lilo Aguilar, 15-6, 15-4, and Enriquez beat Monserrat Mejia, 15-6, 15-7.
In Men’s Singles, Javiar Mar, who is seeded 13th, upset 5th seed Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-4, in the quarters, although that’s not really a surprise, as Mar was the Pan American Championship gold medalist in Men’s Singles last year. He’ll play top seed Rodrigo Montoya in the semi-finals Saturday, as Montoya beat Javier Estrada, 15-9, 15-7, in the quarterfinals.
On the other side of draw, 2nd seed Daniel De La Rosa will face off with 3rd seed Andree Parrilla in the semi-finals. In the quarterfinals, De La Rosa beat Christian Longoria, 15-9, 15-11, and Parrilla defeated his doubles partner, Edson Martinez, 15-12, 15-8.
The finalists in Men’s and Women’s Singles will represent Mexico at the 2018 World Championships, and the winning teams in Men’s and Women’s Doubles will be the respective Mexican doubles teams at Worlds.
Play continues Saturday and will conclude Sunday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Lilo Aguilar, 15-6, 15-4
4) Nancy Enriquez d. 5) Monserrat Mejia, 15-6, 15-7
14) Lucia Gonzalez d. 6) Susana Acosta, 15-8, 15-12
2) Samantha Salas Solis d. 7) Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 4) Nancy Enriquez - 2 PM
2) Samantha Salas Solis v. 14) Lucia Gonzalez - 1:10 PM
Women's Open - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis d. 8) Eleni Guzman & Lucia Gonzalez, 15-5, 15-8
4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera d. 5) Lilo Aguilar & Ana Laura Flores, 15-13, 7-15, 11-5
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla d. 6) Denisse Maldonado & Daniela Rico, 15-1, 15-2
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 7) Susana Acosta & Delia Aguilar, 15-6, 15-7
Women's Open - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis v. 4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera - 7:50 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia v. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - 5:20 PM
Men's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 9) Javier Estrada, 15-9, 15-7
13) Javier Mar d. 5) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-4
3) Andree Parrilla d. 6) Edson Martinez, 15-12, 15-8
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 7) Christian Longoria, 15-9, 15-11
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 13) Javier Mar - 2:50 PM
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 3) Andree Parrilla - 3:40 PM
Men's Open Doubles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 8) Eduardo Portillo & Rodrigo Rodriguez, 15-6, 15-6
5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa d. 4) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera, 15-4, 15-10
3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla d. 6) Jordy Alonso & Ernesto Ochoa, 15-14, 4-15, 11-7
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 7) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria, 15-5, 15-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa - 7 PM
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla - 6:10 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, June 1, 2018
Bolivia & Argentina split the gold medals at the 2018 South American Games
Bolivia won gold in the men’s divisions and Argentina won gold in the women’s divisions at the 2018 South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In Men’s Singles, Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso won a tie-breaker to defeat Colombian Mario Mercado in the final, 15-10, 11-15, 11-6. In Women’s Singles, Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina defeated Yasmine Sabja, 15-4, 15-6, in the final to claim the gold.
Vargas was also part of the Argentina team that won Women’s Doubles, as she and Natalia Mendez beat Bolivians Stefanny Barrios and Jenny Daza, 15-11, 15-10, in the final. In Men’s Doubles, Bolivians Roland Keller and Kadim Carrasco beat Mercado and Sebastian Franco of Colombia, 15-11, 15-7, in what was a battle of two undefeated teams in a five team round robin playoff.
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Final - Friday
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-6
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Final - Friday
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-10
MEN’S SINGLES
Final - Friday
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado (Colombia), 15-10, 11-15, 11-6
MEN’S DOUBLES
Round 5 - Friday
Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-11, 15-7
Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-4, 15-4
Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - BYE
Standings
1) Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) - 4-0
2) Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-1
3) Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 2-2
4) Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 1-3
5) Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Vargas was also part of the Argentina team that won Women’s Doubles, as she and Natalia Mendez beat Bolivians Stefanny Barrios and Jenny Daza, 15-11, 15-10, in the final. In Men’s Doubles, Bolivians Roland Keller and Kadim Carrasco beat Mercado and Sebastian Franco of Colombia, 15-11, 15-7, in what was a battle of two undefeated teams in a five team round robin playoff.
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Final - Friday
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-6
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Final - Friday
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-10
MEN’S SINGLES
Final - Friday
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado (Colombia), 15-10, 11-15, 11-6
MEN’S DOUBLES
Round 5 - Friday
Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) d. Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-11, 15-7
Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-4, 15-4
Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - BYE
Standings
1) Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) - 4-0
2) Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-1
3) Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 2-2
4) Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 1-3
5) Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Mexico National Team Selection Event for 2018 World Championships - Rounds of 32 & 16
The Mexican National Team selection event is going on in San Luis Potosi, and as seems to happen regularly at these events there are upsets right off the hop. One of the biggest happened in Women’s Singles, as 14th seed Lucia Gonzalez beat 3rd seed Alexandra Herrera, 15-7, 15-9 in the Round of 16. Gonzalez will face another left hander in veteran Susana Acosta in the quarterfinals, as Acosta outlasted Ana Laura Flores, 11-15, 15-12, 11-9.
In Men’s Singles, Sebastian Fernandez, the current Boy’s U16 World Junior Champion beat veteran Alvaro Beltran, 15-6, 15-6, in the Round of 16, and will play Javier Mar in the quarterfinals, as Mar was a winner over Alan Natera, 15-11, 15-6.
If the 9th seeds beats the 8th seed, it’s usually not that surprising, but in San Luis Potosi Thursday, 9th seed Javier Estrada defeated 8th seed Alejandro Landa, 7-15, 15-2, 11-7, which is surprising as Landa was a two time winner on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) this season. Estrada will play top seed Rodrigo Montoya in the quarters. Montoya beat 16th seed Sebastian Longoria, 15-1, 15-8, in the 16s.
Finally, 3rd seed Andree Parrilla defeated 14th Alejandro Cardona, 15-12, 15-5, and will face his doubles partner Edson Martinez in the quarterfinals. Martinez was a winner over Eduardo Portillo, 15-9, 15-9.
The finalists in Men’s and Women’s Singles will represent Mexico at the 2018 World Championships, and the winning teams in Men’s and Women’s Doubles will be the respective Mexican doubles teams at Worlds.
Play continues Friday and will conclude Sunday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Round 1
16) Eleni Guzman d. 17) Valeria Hernandez, 15-2, 15-5
18) Erin Rivera d. 15) Denisse Maldonado, 12-15, 15-10, 11-7
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Eleni Guzman, 15-2, 15-8
9) Lilo Aguilar d. 8) Delia Aguilar, 7-15, 15-11, 11-8
5) Monserrat Mejia d. 12) Montserrat Perez, 15-10, 15-4
4) Nancy Enriquez d. 13) Daniela Rico, 15-3, 14-15, 11-3
14) Lucia Gonzalez d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 15-7, 15-9
6) Susana Acosta d. 11) Ana Laura Flores, 11-15, 15-12, 11-9
7) Jessica Parrilla d. 10) Carolina Luque, 15-4, 15-0
2) Samantha Salas Solis d. 15) Erin Rivera, 15-5, 15-4
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Lilo Aguilar - 3 PM
4) Nancy Enriquez v. 5) Monserrat Mejia - 1:20 PM
6) Susana Acosta v. 14) Lucia Gonzalez - 12:30 PM
2) Samantha Salas Solis v. 7) Jessica Parrilla - 2:10 PM
Women's Open - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis v. 8) Eleni Guzman & Lucia Gonzalez - 6:20 PM
4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera v. 5) Lilo Aguilar & Ana Laura Flores - 6:20 PM
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla v. 6) Denisse Maldonado & Daniela Rico - 7:10 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia v. 7) Susana Acosta & Delia Aguilar - 7:10 PM
Men's Open Singles
Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 32) Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-5, 15-9
16) Sebastian Longoria d. 17) Rogelio Castillo, 15-11, 9-15, 11-9
9) Javier Estrada d. 24) Elias Nieto, 15-2, 15-9
8) Alejandro Landa d. 25) Andres Trejo, 15-3, 15-3
5) Sebastian Fernandez d. 28) Juan Loreto, 15-2, 15-9
12) Alvaro Beltran d. 21) Alan Palomino, 15-1, 15-4
13) Javier Mar d. 20) Adrian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-6
4) Alan Natera d. 29) Alejandro Romo, 15-2, 15-8
3) Andree Parrilla d. 30) Alan Hernandez, 15-3, 15-2
14) Alejandro Cardona d. 19) Carlos Bacmeister, forfeit
11) Eduardo Portillo d. 22) Sebastian De La Rosa, 15-1, 15-7
6) Edson Martinez d. 27) Daniel Maldonado, 15-2, 15-9
7) Christian Longoria d. 26) Jordy Alonso, 12-15, 15-7, 11-6
10) Ernesto Ochoa d. 23) Alejandro Romo, 15-8, 15-6
15) Rodrigo Rodriguez d. 18) Abraham Peña, 15-8, 15-1
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 31) Alan Marquez, 15-5, 15-4
Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 16) Sebastian Longoria, 15-1, 15-8
9) Javier Estrada d. 8) Alejandro Landa, 7-15, 15-2, 11-7
5) Sebastian Fernandez d. 12) Alvaro Beltran, 15-6, 15-6
13) Javier Mar d. 4) Alan Natera, 15-11, 15-6
3) Andree Parrilla d. 14) Alejandro Cardona, 15-12, 15-5
6) Edson Martinez d. 11) Eduardo Portillo, 15-9, 15-9
7) Christian Longoria d. 10) Ernesto Ochoa, 15-12, 15-14
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 15) Rodrigo Rodriguez, 15-2, 15-5
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 9) Javier Estrada - 4:40 PM
5) Sebastian Fernandez v. 13) Javier Mar - 3:50 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 6) Edson Martinez - 6:20 PM
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 7) Christian Longoria - 5:30 PM
Men's Open Doubles
Round of 16
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Eduardo Portillo & Rodrigo Rodriguez d. 9) Luis Covarrubias & Alan Palomino, 15-3, 14-15, 11-1
5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa - BYE
4) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera - BYE
3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla - BYE
6) Jordy Alonso & Ernesto Ochoa d. 11) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado, 15-11, 15-2
7) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria d. 10) Erick Cuevas Fernandez & Alan Marquez, 15-5, 15-8
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Eduardo Portillo & Rodrigo Rodriguez - 8 PM
4) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera v. 5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa - 8 PM
3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla v. 6) Jordy Alonso & Ernesto Ochoa - 8:50 PM
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 7) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - 8:50 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
In Men’s Singles, Sebastian Fernandez, the current Boy’s U16 World Junior Champion beat veteran Alvaro Beltran, 15-6, 15-6, in the Round of 16, and will play Javier Mar in the quarterfinals, as Mar was a winner over Alan Natera, 15-11, 15-6.
If the 9th seeds beats the 8th seed, it’s usually not that surprising, but in San Luis Potosi Thursday, 9th seed Javier Estrada defeated 8th seed Alejandro Landa, 7-15, 15-2, 11-7, which is surprising as Landa was a two time winner on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) this season. Estrada will play top seed Rodrigo Montoya in the quarters. Montoya beat 16th seed Sebastian Longoria, 15-1, 15-8, in the 16s.
Finally, 3rd seed Andree Parrilla defeated 14th Alejandro Cardona, 15-12, 15-5, and will face his doubles partner Edson Martinez in the quarterfinals. Martinez was a winner over Eduardo Portillo, 15-9, 15-9.
The finalists in Men’s and Women’s Singles will represent Mexico at the 2018 World Championships, and the winning teams in Men’s and Women’s Doubles will be the respective Mexican doubles teams at Worlds.
Play continues Friday and will conclude Sunday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
CAMPEONATO NACIONAL SELECTIVO DE PRIMERA FUERZA
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - May 30-June 3, 2018
Women's Open
Round 1
16) Eleni Guzman d. 17) Valeria Hernandez, 15-2, 15-5
18) Erin Rivera d. 15) Denisse Maldonado, 12-15, 15-10, 11-7
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Eleni Guzman, 15-2, 15-8
9) Lilo Aguilar d. 8) Delia Aguilar, 7-15, 15-11, 11-8
5) Monserrat Mejia d. 12) Montserrat Perez, 15-10, 15-4
4) Nancy Enriquez d. 13) Daniela Rico, 15-3, 14-15, 11-3
14) Lucia Gonzalez d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 15-7, 15-9
6) Susana Acosta d. 11) Ana Laura Flores, 11-15, 15-12, 11-9
7) Jessica Parrilla d. 10) Carolina Luque, 15-4, 15-0
2) Samantha Salas Solis d. 15) Erin Rivera, 15-5, 15-4
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Lilo Aguilar - 3 PM
4) Nancy Enriquez v. 5) Monserrat Mejia - 1:20 PM
6) Susana Acosta v. 14) Lucia Gonzalez - 12:30 PM
2) Samantha Salas Solis v. 7) Jessica Parrilla - 2:10 PM
Women's Open - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas Solis v. 8) Eleni Guzman & Lucia Gonzalez - 6:20 PM
4) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera v. 5) Lilo Aguilar & Ana Laura Flores - 6:20 PM
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla v. 6) Denisse Maldonado & Daniela Rico - 7:10 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia v. 7) Susana Acosta & Delia Aguilar - 7:10 PM
Men's Open Singles
Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 32) Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-5, 15-9
16) Sebastian Longoria d. 17) Rogelio Castillo, 15-11, 9-15, 11-9
9) Javier Estrada d. 24) Elias Nieto, 15-2, 15-9
8) Alejandro Landa d. 25) Andres Trejo, 15-3, 15-3
5) Sebastian Fernandez d. 28) Juan Loreto, 15-2, 15-9
12) Alvaro Beltran d. 21) Alan Palomino, 15-1, 15-4
13) Javier Mar d. 20) Adrian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-6
4) Alan Natera d. 29) Alejandro Romo, 15-2, 15-8
3) Andree Parrilla d. 30) Alan Hernandez, 15-3, 15-2
14) Alejandro Cardona d. 19) Carlos Bacmeister, forfeit
11) Eduardo Portillo d. 22) Sebastian De La Rosa, 15-1, 15-7
6) Edson Martinez d. 27) Daniel Maldonado, 15-2, 15-9
7) Christian Longoria d. 26) Jordy Alonso, 12-15, 15-7, 11-6
10) Ernesto Ochoa d. 23) Alejandro Romo, 15-8, 15-6
15) Rodrigo Rodriguez d. 18) Abraham Peña, 15-8, 15-1
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 31) Alan Marquez, 15-5, 15-4
Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 16) Sebastian Longoria, 15-1, 15-8
9) Javier Estrada d. 8) Alejandro Landa, 7-15, 15-2, 11-7
5) Sebastian Fernandez d. 12) Alvaro Beltran, 15-6, 15-6
13) Javier Mar d. 4) Alan Natera, 15-11, 15-6
3) Andree Parrilla d. 14) Alejandro Cardona, 15-12, 15-5
6) Edson Martinez d. 11) Eduardo Portillo, 15-9, 15-9
7) Christian Longoria d. 10) Ernesto Ochoa, 15-12, 15-14
2) Daniel De La Rosa d. 15) Rodrigo Rodriguez, 15-2, 15-5
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 9) Javier Estrada - 4:40 PM
5) Sebastian Fernandez v. 13) Javier Mar - 3:50 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 6) Edson Martinez - 6:20 PM
2) Daniel De La Rosa v. 7) Christian Longoria - 5:30 PM
Men's Open Doubles
Round of 16
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Eduardo Portillo & Rodrigo Rodriguez d. 9) Luis Covarrubias & Alan Palomino, 15-3, 14-15, 11-1
5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa - BYE
4) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera - BYE
3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla - BYE
6) Jordy Alonso & Ernesto Ochoa d. 11) Rogelio Castillo & Daniel Maldonado, 15-11, 15-2
7) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria d. 10) Erick Cuevas Fernandez & Alan Marquez, 15-5, 15-8
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Eduardo Portillo & Rodrigo Rodriguez - 8 PM
4) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera v. 5) Alejandro Cardona & Alejandro Landa - 8 PM
3) Edson Martinez & Andree Parrilla v. 6) Jordy Alonso & Ernesto Ochoa - 8:50 PM
2) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 7) Sebastian Fernandez & Christian Longoria - 8:50 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Semi-final results from the 2018 South American Games
Bolivia will have a chance for a gold medal sweep on home soil at the 2018 South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia, although they could also be shut out of the gold on Friday. In Men’s Singles, Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso beat Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador, 15-4, 15-4, in the semi-finals, and will play Colombian Mario Mercado in the final, as Mercado defeated Carlos Keller of Bolivia in the other semi, 15-8, 15-14.
Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina is the woman to beat in Women’s Singles, but she needed three games to get past Carla Muñoz of Chile, 15-5, 13-15, 11-5, in the semi-finals. In what may be seen as an upset, Yasmine Sabja of Bolivia beat Colombian Cristina Amaya, 15-8, 15-10, in the other semi, as Amaya is the 9th ranked player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) while Sabja is ranked 30th.
In the Women’s Doubles semis, Vargas was also a winner with Natalia Mendez, as Argentina beat an Ecuador team of two teenagers in Maria Jose Muñoz and Ana Lucia Sarmiento, 15-5, 15-4. They will play Bolivia in the final, after Stefanny Barrios and Jenny Daza defeated Amaya and Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 15-5, 15-13.
The Men’s Doubles competition has been a five team round robin, and Colombians Mario Mercado and Sebastian Franco and Bolivians Roland Keller and Kadim Carrasco are both undefeated in their first three matches, so gold will be on the line Friday, when they face off against each other.
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals - Thursday
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-5, 13-15, 11-5
Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-8, 15-10
Final - Friday
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals - Thursday
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-4
Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-5, 15-13
Final - Friday
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
MEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals - Thursday
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-14
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-4, 15-4
Final - Friday
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Mario Mercado (Colombia)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Round 4 - Thursday
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-3, 15-0
Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) d. Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-6
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - BYE
Round 5 - Friday
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia)
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - BYE
Standings
1) Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-0
1) Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) - 3-0
3) Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 1-2
3) Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 1-2
5) Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina is the woman to beat in Women’s Singles, but she needed three games to get past Carla Muñoz of Chile, 15-5, 13-15, 11-5, in the semi-finals. In what may be seen as an upset, Yasmine Sabja of Bolivia beat Colombian Cristina Amaya, 15-8, 15-10, in the other semi, as Amaya is the 9th ranked player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) while Sabja is ranked 30th.
In the Women’s Doubles semis, Vargas was also a winner with Natalia Mendez, as Argentina beat an Ecuador team of two teenagers in Maria Jose Muñoz and Ana Lucia Sarmiento, 15-5, 15-4. They will play Bolivia in the final, after Stefanny Barrios and Jenny Daza defeated Amaya and Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 15-5, 15-13.
The Men’s Doubles competition has been a five team round robin, and Colombians Mario Mercado and Sebastian Franco and Bolivians Roland Keller and Kadim Carrasco are both undefeated in their first three matches, so gold will be on the line Friday, when they face off against each other.
The South American Games occur every 4 years, and is the first of two quadrennial events this year. In the summer, the Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 19 to August 3.
2018 South American Games - Cochabamba, Bolivia
May 26-June 3, 2018
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals - Thursday
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-5, 13-15, 11-5
Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-8, 15-10
Final - Friday
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia)
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Semi-finals - Thursday
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-4
Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-5, 15-13
Final - Friday
Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Stefanny Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
MEN’S SINGLES
Semi-finals - Thursday
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-14
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-4, 15-4
Final - Friday
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Mario Mercado (Colombia)
MEN’S DOUBLES
Round 4 - Thursday
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru), 15-3, 15-0
Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) d. Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-6
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - BYE
Round 5 - Friday
Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia)
Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) v. Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - BYE
Standings
1) Mario Mercado & Sebastian Franco (Colombia) - 3-0
1) Roland Keller & Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) - 3-0
3) Juan Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - 1-2
3) Rodrigo Salgado & Francisco Troncoso (Chile) - 1-2
5) Juan Carlos Zamora & Oscar Navarro (Peru) - 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
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