Diaz, Parrilla & top 3 seeds into quarters at 2018 UnitedHealthcare US Open

Jose Diaz, the 12th seed in the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) division at the 2018 UnitedHeathcare US Open Racquetball Championships in Minneapolis, upset the 5th seed Alvaro Beltran, 12-15, 15-8, 11-7, in the Round of 16 Thursday. The win puts Diaz into the US Open quarterfinals for the first time in his career, where he'll face 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa, who was a straight game winner over Charlie Pratt, 15-12, 15-11.

Also in the 16s, 10th seed Andree Parrilla upset 7th seed Samuel Murray, 15-8, 15-8. He'll face 2nd seed Alejandro Landa in the quarterfinals, as Landa beat 15th seed Jake Bredenbeck in the 16s.

Third seed Kane Waselenchuk, the defending champion, also won, as expected, but what wasn't expected was how difficult the match against Javier Mar would be. Waselenchuk did win in two games, 15-12, 15-10, but was full credit for all his points, as he played an excellent match.

In game one, they were tied at 8-8 and at 9-9 in game two. But each time Waselechuk eased ahead from there, and maintained those leads to win it in two straight.

He'll play 6th seed Sebastian Franco in the quarters, after Franco beat Andres Acuña, 15-0, 15-6.

Also, 8th seed Mario Mercado defeated Rodrigo Montoya, 6-15, 15-13, 11-5, to book his place in the quarters. Mercado awaits the winner of IRT #1 Rocky Carson and 16th seed Felipe Camacho, who are still to play.

Look for IRT action live from Minneapolis via their various outlets. Check out the IRT Network, IRT Facebook page and IRT YouTube channel.

2018 UnitedHealthcare US Open
Minneapolis, Minnesota - October 3-7, 2018

Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson v. 16) Felipe Camacho - 6:10 PM
8) Mario Mercado d. Rodrigo Montoya, 6-15, 15-13, 11-5

12) Jose Diaz d. 5) Alvaro Beltran, 12-15, 15-8, 11-7
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 13) Charles Pratt, 15-12, 15-11

3) Kane Waselenchuk d. Javier Mar, 15-12, 15-10
6) Sebastian Franco d. Andres Acuña, 15-0, 15-6

10) Andree Parrilla d. 7) Samuel Murray, 15-8, 15-8
2) Alejandro Landa d. 15) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 15-1

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson or 16) Felipe Camacho v. 8) Mario Mercado - 2 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 12) Jose Diaz - 10 AM

3) Kane Waselenchuk v. 6) Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 10) Andree Parrilla - 1 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….