Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), is into the semi-finals at the 22nd Lou Bradley Memorial tournament in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, as he defeated 9th seed Rodrigo Montoya, 15-6, 15-10, in the quarterfinals. In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk will play 4th seed Alvaro Beltran, who came back from a game down to defeat 5th seed Samuel Murray, 11-15, 15-12, 11-8.
Alejandro Landa, the IRT’s #2 player, is also into the semis with a win over 10th seed Sebastian Franco, 15-5, 15-5. It was a match that was closer than the score reflected. Landa will play 11th seed Mario Mercado in the semi-finals Saturday, as Mercado beat 14th seed Gerardo Franco in the quarters, 15-13, 15-2.
There was spot of controversy in the Waselenchuk-Montoya match, as at 3-3 in game two there was a long rally that ended when Waselenchuk shoved into Montoya to try and reach a Montoya forehand cross court shot. A hinder was called, but Waselenchuk wanted a penalty hinder.
Montoya’s shot was the 16th of the rally, which is an especially long racquetball rally, so Waselenchuk might have wanted to make sure he didn't lose it. A hinder was probably the best call, although the ball might been by too, so it might have been no hinder at all. We didn’t think it was a penalty hinder.
Waselenchuk’s move into Montoya was excessive, and perhaps he was channeling his inner hockey player. Waselenchuk could have been assessed a technical for such a violent shove into his opponent.
Two other points about that rally (it happens at 30:30 in). First, Montoya could have asked for a hinder or even a penalty hinder earlier in the rally when he had to go right around Waselenchuk to get to a touch pinch shot that was way up. Second, Waselenchuk didn’t make an appeal of the call.
Finally, if you are believer in “the ball knows,” you should know that Waselenchuk lost the next rally.
The Lou Bradley concludes Saturday, so don't wait to catch some of the action, and check it out via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The semi-finals Saturday at Noon and 1 PM, and the final at 8 PM Saturday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial, January 30-February 2, 2020
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 9) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-6, 15-10
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 5) Samuel Murray, 11-15, 15-12, 11-8
11) Mario Mercado d. 14) Gerardo Franco, 15-13, 15-2
2) Alejandro Landa d. 10) Sebastian Franco, 15-5, 15-5
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Alvaro Beltran - 1 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 11) Mario Mercado - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 31, 2020
Four upsets in Round of 16 at 2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial Pro-Am
Gerardo Franco caused the biggest of four upsets in the Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 22nd Lou Bradley Memorial tournament in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Friday. He defeated the 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 11-15, 11-7, in a battle of young Mexicans. Franco will next play Mario Mercado of Colombia in the quarterfinals Friday night, as Mercado decisively defeated 6th seed - and last weekend’s finalist - Eduardo Portillo, 15-4, 15-7. Thus, either the 11th seed - Mercado - or the 14th seed - Franco - will be in the semi-finals Saturday.
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk won his Round of 16-match against Javier Mar in two straight games, 15-7, 15-8. They were tied at 8-8- in game two, but Waselenchuk got seven straight points to end it in two. Waselenchuk will play Rodrigo Montoya in the quarters, as 9th seeded Montoya beat 8th seed Conrrado Moscoso, 15-12, 15-4.
Tenth seed Sebastian Franco upset 7th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-14, 15-5, and will play 2nd seed Alejandro Landa in the quarterfinals. Landa needed a tie-breaker to fend off Eduardo Garay, 15-6, 7-15, 11-5.
Finally, 4th seed Alvaro Beltran beat Thomas Carter, 15-4, 15-12, and 5th Samuel Murray defeated Carlos Keller, 15-14, 15-6, so Beltran and Murray will square off in the quarters.
Look for the Lou Bradley action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM Friday. The quarterfinals will be Friday from 5 PM on with the semi-finals Saturday at Noon and 1 PM, and the final at 8 PM Saturday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial, January 30-February 2, 2020
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 16) Javier Mar, 15-7, 15-8
9) Rodrigo Montoya d. 8) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-12, 15-4
5) Samuel Murray d. 12) Carlos Keller, 15-14, 15-6
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 13) Thomas Carter, 15-4, 15-12
14) Gerardo Franco d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 11-15, 11-7
11) Mario Mercado d. 6) Eduardo Portillo, 15-4, 15-7
10) Sebastian Franco d. 7) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-14, 15-5
2) Alejandro Landa d. 15) Eduardo Garay, 15-6, 7-15, 11-5
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 9) Rodrigo Montoya - 7 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Samuel Murray - 8 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. 14) Gerardo Franco - 6 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 10) Sebastian Franco - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk won his Round of 16-match against Javier Mar in two straight games, 15-7, 15-8. They were tied at 8-8- in game two, but Waselenchuk got seven straight points to end it in two. Waselenchuk will play Rodrigo Montoya in the quarters, as 9th seeded Montoya beat 8th seed Conrrado Moscoso, 15-12, 15-4.
Tenth seed Sebastian Franco upset 7th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-14, 15-5, and will play 2nd seed Alejandro Landa in the quarterfinals. Landa needed a tie-breaker to fend off Eduardo Garay, 15-6, 7-15, 11-5.
Finally, 4th seed Alvaro Beltran beat Thomas Carter, 15-4, 15-12, and 5th Samuel Murray defeated Carlos Keller, 15-14, 15-6, so Beltran and Murray will square off in the quarters.
Look for the Lou Bradley action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM Friday. The quarterfinals will be Friday from 5 PM on with the semi-finals Saturday at Noon and 1 PM, and the final at 8 PM Saturday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial, January 30-February 2, 2020
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 16) Javier Mar, 15-7, 15-8
9) Rodrigo Montoya d. 8) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-12, 15-4
5) Samuel Murray d. 12) Carlos Keller, 15-14, 15-6
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 13) Thomas Carter, 15-4, 15-12
14) Gerardo Franco d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-8, 11-15, 11-7
11) Mario Mercado d. 6) Eduardo Portillo, 15-4, 15-7
10) Sebastian Franco d. 7) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-14, 15-5
2) Alejandro Landa d. 15) Eduardo Garay, 15-6, 7-15, 11-5
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 9) Rodrigo Montoya - 7 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Samuel Murray - 8 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. 14) Gerardo Franco - 6 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 10) Sebastian Franco - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Early round action at 2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial Pro Am
There were no upsets in the Round of 32 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 22nd Lou Bradley Memorial tournament in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on Thursday. But there were some close matches, and a couple of tie-breakers. For the second week in a row, Thomas Carter and Javier Estrada went breaker, but unlike last week in Sioux Falls, where Estrada won, yesterday Carter came out on top, 15-8, 4-15, 11-2. He’ll play 4th Alvaro Beltran in the Round of 16 Friday.
In the other tie-breaker, Javier Mar outlasted Sebastian Fernandez, 11-15, 15-11, 11-1, and will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s this morning.
Three other matches were also close despite being over in two games. Sebastian Franco beat Kadim Carrasco, 15-14, 15-13, and will play Jake Bredenbeck in the 16s. Mario Mercado defeated Alan Natera, 15-13, 15-12, to set up a showdown with last week’s finalist Eduardo Portillo. Finally, in what was also a repeat of a Sioux Falls match, Carlos Keller got the better of Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 15-12, after losing to Camacho last week. Keller will play Samuel Murray in the Round of 16.
Also of note, Eduardo Garay defeated Adam Manilla, 15-8, 15-8, which is notable, because Manilla was a semi-finalist at the Longhorn Open two weeks ago in Austin, Texas. However, he’s lost in the Round of 32 twice in a row since.
Look for the Lou Bradley action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM Friday. The quarterfinals will be Friday from 5 PM on with the semi-finals Saturday at Noon and 1 PM, and the final at 8 PM Saturday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial, January 30-February 2, 2020
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Round of 128 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Blake Hansen d. Tracy Chynoweth, 15-5, 15-9
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Lee Meinerz - BYE
Joe Kelley - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Robert Collins - BYE
Ferd Samson - BYE
Anthony Martin - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Justus Benson - BYE
Samuel Kelley d. James Crawford, 15-4, 15-11
Adam Manilla - BYE
Round of 64 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez d. Blake Hansen, 15-10, 15-2
Q8 - Sam Bredenbeck d. Scott McClellan, 14-15, 15-6, 11-4
Q5 - Felipe Camacho d. Lee Meinerz, 15-2, 15-5
Q4 - Javier Estrada d. Joe Kelley, 15-1, 15-3
Q3 - Robert Collins d. Ferd Samson, 15-3, 15-6
Q6 - Alan Natera d. Anthony Martin, 15-11, 15-5
Q7 - Kadim Carrasco d. Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-13
Q2 - Adam Manilla d. Samuel Kelley, 15-3, 15-6
Round of 32 - Thursday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Javier Mar d. Sebastian Fernandez, 11-15, 15-11, 11-1
9) Rodrigo Montoya d. Sam Bredenbeck, 15-10, 15-8
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) Carlos Keller d. Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 15-12
13) Thomas Carter d. Javier Estrada, 15-8, 4-15, 11-2
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco d. Robert Collins, 15-6, 15-8
11) Mario Mercado d. Alan Natera, 15-13, 15-12
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-14, 15-13
15) Eduardo Garay d. Adam Manilla, 15-8, 15-8
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 16) Javier Mar - Noon
8) Conrrado Moscoso v. 9) Rodrigo Montoya - Noon
5) Samuel Murray v. 12) Carlos Keller - 1 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 13) Thomas Carter - 1 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 14) Gerardo Franco - 11 AM
6) Eduardo Portillo v. 11) Mario Mercado - Noon
7) Jake Bredenbeck v. 10) Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 15) Eduardo Garay - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the other tie-breaker, Javier Mar outlasted Sebastian Fernandez, 11-15, 15-11, 11-1, and will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s this morning.
Three other matches were also close despite being over in two games. Sebastian Franco beat Kadim Carrasco, 15-14, 15-13, and will play Jake Bredenbeck in the 16s. Mario Mercado defeated Alan Natera, 15-13, 15-12, to set up a showdown with last week’s finalist Eduardo Portillo. Finally, in what was also a repeat of a Sioux Falls match, Carlos Keller got the better of Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 15-12, after losing to Camacho last week. Keller will play Samuel Murray in the Round of 16.
Also of note, Eduardo Garay defeated Adam Manilla, 15-8, 15-8, which is notable, because Manilla was a semi-finalist at the Longhorn Open two weeks ago in Austin, Texas. However, he’s lost in the Round of 32 twice in a row since.
Look for the Lou Bradley action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 starts at 11 AM Friday. The quarterfinals will be Friday from 5 PM on with the semi-finals Saturday at Noon and 1 PM, and the final at 8 PM Saturday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial, January 30-February 2, 2020
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Round of 128 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Blake Hansen d. Tracy Chynoweth, 15-5, 15-9
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Lee Meinerz - BYE
Joe Kelley - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Robert Collins - BYE
Ferd Samson - BYE
Anthony Martin - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Justus Benson - BYE
Samuel Kelley d. James Crawford, 15-4, 15-11
Adam Manilla - BYE
Round of 64 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez d. Blake Hansen, 15-10, 15-2
Q8 - Sam Bredenbeck d. Scott McClellan, 14-15, 15-6, 11-4
Q5 - Felipe Camacho d. Lee Meinerz, 15-2, 15-5
Q4 - Javier Estrada d. Joe Kelley, 15-1, 15-3
Q3 - Robert Collins d. Ferd Samson, 15-3, 15-6
Q6 - Alan Natera d. Anthony Martin, 15-11, 15-5
Q7 - Kadim Carrasco d. Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-13
Q2 - Adam Manilla d. Samuel Kelley, 15-3, 15-6
Round of 32 - Thursday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Javier Mar d. Sebastian Fernandez, 11-15, 15-11, 11-1
9) Rodrigo Montoya d. Sam Bredenbeck, 15-10, 15-8
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) Carlos Keller d. Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 15-12
13) Thomas Carter d. Javier Estrada, 15-8, 4-15, 11-2
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco d. Robert Collins, 15-6, 15-8
11) Mario Mercado d. Alan Natera, 15-13, 15-12
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-14, 15-13
15) Eduardo Garay d. Adam Manilla, 15-8, 15-8
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 16) Javier Mar - Noon
8) Conrrado Moscoso v. 9) Rodrigo Montoya - Noon
5) Samuel Murray v. 12) Carlos Keller - 1 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 13) Thomas Carter - 1 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. 14) Gerardo Franco - 11 AM
6) Eduardo Portillo v. 11) Mario Mercado - Noon
7) Jake Bredenbeck v. 10) Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 15) Eduardo Garay - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) plays its third of three back to back to back events this weekend, when they go to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for the first time to compete in the 22nd Lou Bradley Memorial Pro-Am. The Lou, as it’s affectionately known, has been an IRT event for many years, but this is the first year it is a Tier 1. Despite being a new event and on the third of three consecutive weekends, there will be a strong field in Wisconsin with no fewer than 23 of the top 28 IRT players, including 11 of the top 13 players, be in Sun Prairie.
Leading the field will be IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and #2 Alejandro Landa. Waselenchuk missed last week’s event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as he had the flu. Landa picked up an injury in the quarterfinals in Sioux Falls, and we were concerned about whether he would be fit to compete this weekend. But it seems he's good to go.
Not good to go are IRT #3 Rocky Carson and last weekend’s winner Daniel De La Rosa, who will both miss out this weekend due to injury. Carson was playing his first tournament after knee surgery, so perhaps something flared up that prevents the 40 year old from playing back to weeks.
De La Rosa’s absence means he misses out on a chance to be in three consecutive finals for just the second time in his career. He was in the last three finals of the 2015-16 season, losing them all to Waselenchuk. De La Rosa was a finalist two weeks ago at the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, where he also lost to Waselenchuk, and last week at the Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, where he won the title by defeating Eduardo Portillo in the final.
Portillo will be one of the players to watch this weekend to see how he follows up his 1st IRT final appearance. He’s seeded 6th, so is in the bracket with 3rd seed Andree Parrilla. If they face off, it will be a battle of doubles partners as Portillo and Parrilla played together last weekend in Sioux Falls. Parrilla might feel he has something to prove this weekend, as he lost in the Round of 16 last weekend.
Look for the Lou Bradley action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. There will be three rounds of matches on Thursday starting at noon. The Round of 32 begins Thursday evening at 5 and 6 PM with the Round of 16 starting at 11 AM. The quarterfinals will be Friday from 5 PM on with the semi-finals at Noon and 1 PM, and the final at 8 PM Saturday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial, January 30-February 2, 2020
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Round of 128 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Blake Hansen v. Tracy Chynoweth - Noon
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Lee Meinerz - BYE
Joe Kelley - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Robert Collins - BYE
Ferd Samson - BYE
Anthony Martin - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Justus Benson - BYE
Samuel Kelley v. James Crawford - Noon
Adam Manilla - BYE
Round of 64 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez v. Blake Hansen or Tracy Chynoweth - 3 PM
Q8 - Sam Bredenbeck v. Scott McClellan - 3 PM
Q5 - Felipe Camacho v. Lee Meinerz - 2 PM
Q4 - Javier Estrada v. Joe Kelley - 2 PM
Q3 - Robert Collins v. Ferd Samson - 2 PM
Q6 - Anthony Martin v. Alan Natera - 2 PM
Q7 - Kadim Carrasco v. Justus Benson - 3 PM
Q2 - Adam Manilla v. Samuel Kelley or James Crawford - 3 PM
Round of 32 - Thursday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Javier Mar v. Q1 - 6 PM
9) Rodrigo Montoya v. Q8 - 5 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) Carlos Keller v. Q5 - 5 PM
13) Thomas Carter v. Q4 - 6 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Q3 - 6 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Q6 - 5 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Q7 - 5 PM
15) Eduardo Garay v. Q2 - 6 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Leading the field will be IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and #2 Alejandro Landa. Waselenchuk missed last week’s event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as he had the flu. Landa picked up an injury in the quarterfinals in Sioux Falls, and we were concerned about whether he would be fit to compete this weekend. But it seems he's good to go.
Not good to go are IRT #3 Rocky Carson and last weekend’s winner Daniel De La Rosa, who will both miss out this weekend due to injury. Carson was playing his first tournament after knee surgery, so perhaps something flared up that prevents the 40 year old from playing back to weeks.
De La Rosa’s absence means he misses out on a chance to be in three consecutive finals for just the second time in his career. He was in the last three finals of the 2015-16 season, losing them all to Waselenchuk. De La Rosa was a finalist two weeks ago at the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, where he also lost to Waselenchuk, and last week at the Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, where he won the title by defeating Eduardo Portillo in the final.
Portillo will be one of the players to watch this weekend to see how he follows up his 1st IRT final appearance. He’s seeded 6th, so is in the bracket with 3rd seed Andree Parrilla. If they face off, it will be a battle of doubles partners as Portillo and Parrilla played together last weekend in Sioux Falls. Parrilla might feel he has something to prove this weekend, as he lost in the Round of 16 last weekend.
Look for the Lou Bradley action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. There will be three rounds of matches on Thursday starting at noon. The Round of 32 begins Thursday evening at 5 and 6 PM with the Round of 16 starting at 11 AM. The quarterfinals will be Friday from 5 PM on with the semi-finals at Noon and 1 PM, and the final at 8 PM Saturday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lou Bradley Memorial, January 30-February 2, 2020
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Round of 128 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Blake Hansen v. Tracy Chynoweth - Noon
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Lee Meinerz - BYE
Joe Kelley - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Robert Collins - BYE
Ferd Samson - BYE
Anthony Martin - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Justus Benson - BYE
Samuel Kelley v. James Crawford - Noon
Adam Manilla - BYE
Round of 64 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez v. Blake Hansen or Tracy Chynoweth - 3 PM
Q8 - Sam Bredenbeck v. Scott McClellan - 3 PM
Q5 - Felipe Camacho v. Lee Meinerz - 2 PM
Q4 - Javier Estrada v. Joe Kelley - 2 PM
Q3 - Robert Collins v. Ferd Samson - 2 PM
Q6 - Anthony Martin v. Alan Natera - 2 PM
Q7 - Kadim Carrasco v. Justus Benson - 3 PM
Q2 - Adam Manilla v. Samuel Kelley or James Crawford - 3 PM
Round of 32 - Thursday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Javier Mar v. Q1 - 6 PM
9) Rodrigo Montoya v. Q8 - 5 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) Carlos Keller v. Q5 - 5 PM
13) Thomas Carter v. Q4 - 6 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Q3 - 6 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Q6 - 5 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Q7 - 5 PM
15) Eduardo Garay v. Q2 - 6 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 27, 2020
Montoya & Muñoz win on the weekend & Landa switches countries
Rodrigo Montoya and Carla Muñoz had Open Division wins on the weekend. Montoya won Men’s Open at the 42nd Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Muñoz won Women’s Open at the Sweet Caroline Pro-Am in Greenville, South Carolina.
In Sioux Falls, Montoya defeated Gerardo Franco, 15-10, 15-11, in the final. He reached the final with a win over Mario Mercado, 15-5, 15-9, in one semi-final, while Franco beat Andres Acuña in the other semi, 15-11, 15-6.
In Greenville, Muñoz needed three games to take the title, as she lost the first game to Kelani Bailey Lawrence, but came back to win, 8-15, 15-4, 11-2. In the semi-finals, Muñoz beat Cristina Amaya, 15-9, 15-5, while Bailey Lawrence defeated Valeria Centellas, 15-9, 15-4.
Landa switches countries
The big off court news from the weekend was Alejandro Landa switching country affiliation from Mexico to the USA. He’s registered to play in next month’s USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where he’ll play doubles with Sudsy Monchik. Landa’s also registered to play US Team Qualifying Singles.
That’s a huge change. Landa was the 2017 Pan American Champion in both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles (with Polo Gutierrez), as well as 2016 Pan Am Champion in Men’s Doubles with Javier Moreno. He’s also won four titles on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and is the IRT’s #2 ranked player.
Someone who is a proven winner changing countries is a major deal.
Landa has lived in the USA since he was a teenager, so he must be a dual citizen to make this change. The change probably stems from Mexico not selecting Landa to play in last year’s Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
He had won their National Team Selection Event last spring, defeating Alvaro Beltran in the final. However, at the 2019 Pan American Championships, Landa lost in the quarterfinals to Andres Acuña, while Beltran made the semi-finals. That led Mexico to choose Beltran and Rodrigo Montoya - who was only a quarterfinalist in the Mexican selection event, but was part of their Pan Am Games Men’s Doubles team (with Javier Mar) - to play Men’s Singles in Lima.
Montoya and Beltran were the finalists in Lima with Montoya defeating Beltran for the gold medal, so it’s difficult to say that Mexico didn’t select two good players. Yet the process seems to have treated Landa unfairly, and he was understandably upset about being passed over.
Thus, we understand that Landa petitioned the Mexican racquetball federation to release him so he could play for another country: the USA. From a competitive perspective, the depth of talent currently in the USA is shallower than in Mexico, where it only seems to be getting deeper, especially with a young player like Eduardo Portillo getting to his first IRT final on the weekend.
So Landa’s switch could benefit both his chances and the USA’s chances to medal at future international events, including the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships this summer. Those who might be unhappy about this change are the players who were US Team hopefuls, which might include players who have been on the team once or were hoping to get on the team for the first time in the near future.
The addendum to Landa’s switch is that he picked up an injury to his right arm - his racquet arm - in Sioux Falls on the weekend that led him to default his quarterfinal match against Samuel Murray in the middle of game two. Landa and Murray were scheduled to play a semi-final doubles match after their singles match, but they chose not to play that match at all due to Landa’s injury.
Landa is registered for this weekend’s IRT event in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and the USAR National Doubles are the following weekend. But his injury jeopardizes his participation in both tournaments.
Coming up
As mentioned above, the IRT will play the 3rd of back to back to back events this weekend, when they gather in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for the Lou Bradley Memorial tournament. The Lou - as it’s affectionately called - is a long running event, and has been an IRT event for several years. But this is the first year the Lou is a Tier 1 event. A field of 35 players are registered to compete, including the top 13 ranked players, so it should be a great event.
Next weekend the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships happens in Tempe, Arizona, and the 2nd Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event will take place as part of the 46th Annual Keystone Classic in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
2020 Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final
3) Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Gerardo Franco, 15-10, 15-11
Semi-finals
4) Gerardo Franco d. 1) Andres Acuña, 15-11, 15-6
3) Rodrigo Montoya d. 2) Mario Mercado, 15-5, 15-9
Men’s Open - Quarterfinals
1) Andres Acuña d. 9) Anthony Martin, 15-11, 15-3
4) Gerardo Franco d. 5) Tim Landeryou, 4-15, 15-3, 11-4
3) Rodrigo Montoya d. 11) Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-9
2) Mario Mercado d. 10) Andrés Gómez, 15-9, 15-3
2020 Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Final
4) Carla Muñoz d. 2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 8-15, 15-4, 11-2
Semi-finals
4) Carla Muñoz d. 1) Cristina Amaya, 15-9, 15-5
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 3) Valeria Centellas, 15-9, 15-4
Women’s Open - Quarterfinals
1) Cristina Amaya d. 8) Angelica Barrios, 15-3, 15-9
4) Carla Muñoz d. 5) Sheryl Lotts, 15-13, 15-7
3) Valeria Centellas d. 6) Susana Acosta, 15-9, 15-7
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 7) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-1, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
In Sioux Falls, Montoya defeated Gerardo Franco, 15-10, 15-11, in the final. He reached the final with a win over Mario Mercado, 15-5, 15-9, in one semi-final, while Franco beat Andres Acuña in the other semi, 15-11, 15-6.
In Greenville, Muñoz needed three games to take the title, as she lost the first game to Kelani Bailey Lawrence, but came back to win, 8-15, 15-4, 11-2. In the semi-finals, Muñoz beat Cristina Amaya, 15-9, 15-5, while Bailey Lawrence defeated Valeria Centellas, 15-9, 15-4.
Landa switches countries
The big off court news from the weekend was Alejandro Landa switching country affiliation from Mexico to the USA. He’s registered to play in next month’s USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships in Tempe, Arizona, where he’ll play doubles with Sudsy Monchik. Landa’s also registered to play US Team Qualifying Singles.
That’s a huge change. Landa was the 2017 Pan American Champion in both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles (with Polo Gutierrez), as well as 2016 Pan Am Champion in Men’s Doubles with Javier Moreno. He’s also won four titles on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and is the IRT’s #2 ranked player.
Someone who is a proven winner changing countries is a major deal.
Landa has lived in the USA since he was a teenager, so he must be a dual citizen to make this change. The change probably stems from Mexico not selecting Landa to play in last year’s Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
He had won their National Team Selection Event last spring, defeating Alvaro Beltran in the final. However, at the 2019 Pan American Championships, Landa lost in the quarterfinals to Andres Acuña, while Beltran made the semi-finals. That led Mexico to choose Beltran and Rodrigo Montoya - who was only a quarterfinalist in the Mexican selection event, but was part of their Pan Am Games Men’s Doubles team (with Javier Mar) - to play Men’s Singles in Lima.
Montoya and Beltran were the finalists in Lima with Montoya defeating Beltran for the gold medal, so it’s difficult to say that Mexico didn’t select two good players. Yet the process seems to have treated Landa unfairly, and he was understandably upset about being passed over.
Thus, we understand that Landa petitioned the Mexican racquetball federation to release him so he could play for another country: the USA. From a competitive perspective, the depth of talent currently in the USA is shallower than in Mexico, where it only seems to be getting deeper, especially with a young player like Eduardo Portillo getting to his first IRT final on the weekend.
So Landa’s switch could benefit both his chances and the USA’s chances to medal at future international events, including the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships this summer. Those who might be unhappy about this change are the players who were US Team hopefuls, which might include players who have been on the team once or were hoping to get on the team for the first time in the near future.
The addendum to Landa’s switch is that he picked up an injury to his right arm - his racquet arm - in Sioux Falls on the weekend that led him to default his quarterfinal match against Samuel Murray in the middle of game two. Landa and Murray were scheduled to play a semi-final doubles match after their singles match, but they chose not to play that match at all due to Landa’s injury.
Landa is registered for this weekend’s IRT event in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and the USAR National Doubles are the following weekend. But his injury jeopardizes his participation in both tournaments.
Coming up
As mentioned above, the IRT will play the 3rd of back to back to back events this weekend, when they gather in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for the Lou Bradley Memorial tournament. The Lou - as it’s affectionately called - is a long running event, and has been an IRT event for several years. But this is the first year the Lou is a Tier 1 event. A field of 35 players are registered to compete, including the top 13 ranked players, so it should be a great event.
Next weekend the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships happens in Tempe, Arizona, and the 2nd Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event will take place as part of the 46th Annual Keystone Classic in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
2020 Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final
3) Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Gerardo Franco, 15-10, 15-11
Semi-finals
4) Gerardo Franco d. 1) Andres Acuña, 15-11, 15-6
3) Rodrigo Montoya d. 2) Mario Mercado, 15-5, 15-9
Men’s Open - Quarterfinals
1) Andres Acuña d. 9) Anthony Martin, 15-11, 15-3
4) Gerardo Franco d. 5) Tim Landeryou, 4-15, 15-3, 11-4
3) Rodrigo Montoya d. 11) Lee Connell, 15-10, 15-9
2) Mario Mercado d. 10) Andrés Gómez, 15-9, 15-3
2020 Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Final
4) Carla Muñoz d. 2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 8-15, 15-4, 11-2
Semi-finals
4) Carla Muñoz d. 1) Cristina Amaya, 15-9, 15-5
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 3) Valeria Centellas, 15-9, 15-4
Women’s Open - Quarterfinals
1) Cristina Amaya d. 8) Angelica Barrios, 15-3, 15-9
4) Carla Muñoz d. 5) Sheryl Lotts, 15-13, 15-7
3) Valeria Centellas d. 6) Susana Acosta, 15-9, 15-7
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 7) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-1, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria is a double winner at the 2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), won twice on Sunday at the 2020 Sweet Caroline Pro-Am in Greenville, South Carolina, as she beat LPRT #2 Maria Jose Vargas in the singles final, 15-5, 15-6, and with partner Samantha Salas defeated 3rd seeds Alexandra Herrera and Montserrat Mejia in the doubles final, 15-5, 15-12.
The wins are Longoria's sixth singles title and fifth doubles title. She's only lost once in singles and twice in doubles through seven events.
The LPRT will be in action next at the Boston Open, March 6-8, 2020. If you missed the action from South Carolina, check out the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page).
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, 15-5, 15-6
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia, 15-5, 15-12
Follow the bouncing ball….
The wins are Longoria's sixth singles title and fifth doubles title. She's only lost once in singles and twice in doubles through seven events.
The LPRT will be in action next at the Boston Open, March 6-8, 2020. If you missed the action from South Carolina, check out the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page).
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, 15-5, 15-6
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia, 15-5, 15-12
Follow the bouncing ball….
De La Rosa wins twice at 2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am
Daniel De La Rosa was a double winner Sunday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 42nd Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as he won both the singles title and the doubles title with partner Alvaro Beltran. In singles, De La Rosa defeated Eduardo Portillo, who was playing in his 1st IRT final, 15-14, 15-9. Then in doubles, De La Rosa and Beltran won a tie-breaker against Rodrigo Montoya and Javier Mar, 15-14, 10-15, 11-2.
De La Rosa is now a two time winner of the Lewis Drug Pro-Am, and has played in four consecutive finals in Sioux Falls. He won the title first in 2017, when he defeated Beltran in the final, and then was runner up the last two years before taking the title again today.
In game one of the singles final, it looked like it might go Portillo’s way, as he went ahead early, and built up a 9-3 lead. But De La Rosa seemed unfazed, and slowly worked his way back into the game.
He closed it to 10-7, yet Portillo again extended the lead to 13-8. De La Rosa called a timeout at that point after getting a side out, and then put together a run of five unanswered points to tie the game at 13-13.
De La Rosa then made what could have been a crucial error, as he skipped an easy forehand shot going from left to right, which gave the serve back to Portillo. A Portillo backhand winner put him on game point at 14-13.
On the next rally, Portillo was called for a hinder, but De La Rosa appealed for a penalty hinder, and the line judges overruled the referee’s call and awarded the penalty hinder. A flat side wall - front wall forehand shot from deep in the court by De La Rosa tied the game at 14-14, and he won it on the next rally with a forehand cross court shot from a front court position.
In game two, Portillo again led early at 4-1 and 5-3, but this time De La Rosa caught up at 5-5, and then went on to get 10 of the next 14 points to win it, 15-9. He got the match winner with a drive serve ace to the right side to put an emphatic finish on a strong performance.
De La Rosa’s victory comes in his second final in as many weeks, as he was in the Longhorn Open final last Sunday in Austin, Texas, where he lost to IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk. Waselenchuk wasn’t in Sioux Falls due to illness.
In the doubles final, De La Rosa and Beltran jumped out to an 11-3 lead on Mar and Montoya in game one only to see their opponents come back and tie it at 11-11. The teams were tied at 12, 13, and 14 en route to the finish, which came as De La Rosa hit a wide angle pass to the right side.
Game two was closer with each team taking the lead and then giving it up. Again they were tied late at 10-10, but this time Mar and Montoya got the last five points without allowing any against them. De La Rosa and Beltran served twice each down the stretch, but were unable to put points on the board.
Often when there are two close games, the tie-breaker turns out to be a blowout, and that was the case in the final, as De La Rosa and Beltran went from a 3-2 lead to a 11-2 victory. Mar and Montoya had two opportunities to serve, but three winners by De La Rosa and Beltran and a Montoya skip prevented them scoring any points.
At 42, Beltran again show that he can still play at a high level on the right side, where he’s deadly with his forehand pinch shots, and his high lob serve that’s tight to the side wall makes it difficult for opponents, like Mar today, to make an effective return.
The IRT will be back in action next weekend in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for the Lou Bradley Memorial tournament. If you missed any of the action from Sioux Falls, check out the IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final - Sunday
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Eduardo Portillo, 15-14, 15-9
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya, 15-14, 10-15, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball….
De La Rosa is now a two time winner of the Lewis Drug Pro-Am, and has played in four consecutive finals in Sioux Falls. He won the title first in 2017, when he defeated Beltran in the final, and then was runner up the last two years before taking the title again today.
In game one of the singles final, it looked like it might go Portillo’s way, as he went ahead early, and built up a 9-3 lead. But De La Rosa seemed unfazed, and slowly worked his way back into the game.
He closed it to 10-7, yet Portillo again extended the lead to 13-8. De La Rosa called a timeout at that point after getting a side out, and then put together a run of five unanswered points to tie the game at 13-13.
De La Rosa then made what could have been a crucial error, as he skipped an easy forehand shot going from left to right, which gave the serve back to Portillo. A Portillo backhand winner put him on game point at 14-13.
On the next rally, Portillo was called for a hinder, but De La Rosa appealed for a penalty hinder, and the line judges overruled the referee’s call and awarded the penalty hinder. A flat side wall - front wall forehand shot from deep in the court by De La Rosa tied the game at 14-14, and he won it on the next rally with a forehand cross court shot from a front court position.
In game two, Portillo again led early at 4-1 and 5-3, but this time De La Rosa caught up at 5-5, and then went on to get 10 of the next 14 points to win it, 15-9. He got the match winner with a drive serve ace to the right side to put an emphatic finish on a strong performance.
De La Rosa’s victory comes in his second final in as many weeks, as he was in the Longhorn Open final last Sunday in Austin, Texas, where he lost to IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk. Waselenchuk wasn’t in Sioux Falls due to illness.
In the doubles final, De La Rosa and Beltran jumped out to an 11-3 lead on Mar and Montoya in game one only to see their opponents come back and tie it at 11-11. The teams were tied at 12, 13, and 14 en route to the finish, which came as De La Rosa hit a wide angle pass to the right side.
Game two was closer with each team taking the lead and then giving it up. Again they were tied late at 10-10, but this time Mar and Montoya got the last five points without allowing any against them. De La Rosa and Beltran served twice each down the stretch, but were unable to put points on the board.
Often when there are two close games, the tie-breaker turns out to be a blowout, and that was the case in the final, as De La Rosa and Beltran went from a 3-2 lead to a 11-2 victory. Mar and Montoya had two opportunities to serve, but three winners by De La Rosa and Beltran and a Montoya skip prevented them scoring any points.
At 42, Beltran again show that he can still play at a high level on the right side, where he’s deadly with his forehand pinch shots, and his high lob serve that’s tight to the side wall makes it difficult for opponents, like Mar today, to make an effective return.
The IRT will be back in action next weekend in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for the Lou Bradley Memorial tournament. If you missed any of the action from Sioux Falls, check out the IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Final - Sunday
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Eduardo Portillo, 15-14, 15-9
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya, 15-14, 10-15, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Portillo in 1st career IRT final at 42nd Lewis Drug Pro-Am
Eduardo Portillo will play his 1st International Racquetball Tour (IRT) final on Sunday at the 42nd Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Portillo will take on Daniel De La Rosa, who will be playing his 4th consecutive Lewis Drug final and his 2nd IRT event final. Portillo, who just 20, reached the final with a win over Samuel Murray, 15-4, 15-14, while De La Rosa beat Conrrado Moscoso in the other semi, 15-8, 15-11.
Portillo served lights out in the first game against Murray, getting five aces or service winners, including a crack ace serve that came off the left side wall just over the short line for the game winner. Yet Murray started well in game two, as he took a 7-0 lead in game two using some very effective drive Z serves to Portillo’s backhand.
When Portillo got within one at 10-9, Murray again pushed on and got to game point at 14-10. However, Portillo got the serve back with a forehand cross court winner, and then scored five points without giving up the serve, including another two aces, to win the game 15-14 and match two straight.
De La Rosa has looked strong all tournament, and is coming off a final appearance last week at the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas. He defeated Moscoso by a comfortable margin in their semi, which puts him in the final for the four year running. Three years ago he won, defeating Alvaro Beltran in the final. Two years ago, De La Rosa lost to Alejandro Landa, and last year he lost to Kane Waselenchuk. Sunday De La Rosa will try to even his Lewis Drug final record at 2-2 with win over Portillo.
Sunday’s final will be the first all Mexico final since last April, when Landa beat Beltran in Florida.
The doubles final will also be an all Mexico showdown as De La Rosa and Beltran face off against Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya. Top seeds De La Rosa and Beltran defeated 4th seeds Adam Manilla and Mario Mercado, 15-6, 15-12, in the semi-finals, while 3rd seeds Mar and Montoya got a forfeit win over Landa and Murray due to Landa’s arm injury.
Look for the Lewis Drug finals via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon. Both times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarterfinals - Saturday
8) Samuel Murray d. 1) Alejandro Landa, 15-6, injury forfeit
5) Eduardo Portillo d. 4) Alvaro Beltran, 15-5, 15-6
6) Conrrado Moscoso d. Javier Mar, 15-7, 15-9
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) Rocky Carson, 15-12, 15-11
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Eduardo Portillo d. 8) Samuel Murray, 15-4, 15-14
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 6) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-8, 15-11
Final - Sunday
5) Eduardo Portillo v. 7) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado, 15-6, 15-12
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray, injury forfeit
IRT Doubles - Final - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Portillo served lights out in the first game against Murray, getting five aces or service winners, including a crack ace serve that came off the left side wall just over the short line for the game winner. Yet Murray started well in game two, as he took a 7-0 lead in game two using some very effective drive Z serves to Portillo’s backhand.
When Portillo got within one at 10-9, Murray again pushed on and got to game point at 14-10. However, Portillo got the serve back with a forehand cross court winner, and then scored five points without giving up the serve, including another two aces, to win the game 15-14 and match two straight.
De La Rosa has looked strong all tournament, and is coming off a final appearance last week at the Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas. He defeated Moscoso by a comfortable margin in their semi, which puts him in the final for the four year running. Three years ago he won, defeating Alvaro Beltran in the final. Two years ago, De La Rosa lost to Alejandro Landa, and last year he lost to Kane Waselenchuk. Sunday De La Rosa will try to even his Lewis Drug final record at 2-2 with win over Portillo.
Sunday’s final will be the first all Mexico final since last April, when Landa beat Beltran in Florida.
The doubles final will also be an all Mexico showdown as De La Rosa and Beltran face off against Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya. Top seeds De La Rosa and Beltran defeated 4th seeds Adam Manilla and Mario Mercado, 15-6, 15-12, in the semi-finals, while 3rd seeds Mar and Montoya got a forfeit win over Landa and Murray due to Landa’s arm injury.
Look for the Lewis Drug finals via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon. Both times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Quarterfinals - Saturday
8) Samuel Murray d. 1) Alejandro Landa, 15-6, injury forfeit
5) Eduardo Portillo d. 4) Alvaro Beltran, 15-5, 15-6
6) Conrrado Moscoso d. Javier Mar, 15-7, 15-9
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 2) Rocky Carson, 15-12, 15-11
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Eduardo Portillo d. 8) Samuel Murray, 15-4, 15-14
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 6) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-8, 15-11
Final - Sunday
5) Eduardo Portillo v. 7) Daniel De La Rosa - 11 AM
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado, 15-6, 15-12
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray, injury forfeit
IRT Doubles - Final - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria in two finals at 2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), has reached both the singles and doubles finals at the 2020 Sweet Caroline Pro-Am in Greenville, South Carolina. Longoria will play LPRT #2 Maria Jose Vargas in the singles final, and 3rd seeds Alexandra Herrera and Montserrat Mejia in the doubles final with her partner Samantha Salas.
Longoria beat both Herrera and Montserrat on Saturday in singles. She defeated Herrera in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-7, last night, and earlier beat Montserrat in the quarterfinals, 15-3, 15-8.
For her part, Vargas reached the final with a win over veteran 6th seed Rhonda Rajsich, 15-5, 11-15, 11-1, in the semi-finals. Rajsich had upset Salas, the 3rd seed, in the quarterfinals, 15-10, 6-15, 11-10. In the quarters, Vargas beat 23rd seed Valeria Centellas, 15-13, 15-8.
In the doubles semi-finals, Longoria and Salas defeated Centellas and Angelica Barrios, 15-8, 15-4, while Herrera and Mejia got the better of Vargas and Natalia Mendez, 15-9, 15-9
You can watch the Sweet Caroline finals live via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 2 PM. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Quarterfinals - Saturday
Paola Longoria v. 9) Montserrat Mejia, 15-3, 15-8
4) Alexandra Herrera v. 5) Natalia Mendez, 15-6, 12-15, 11-4
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 3) Samantha Salas, 15-10, 6-15, 11-10
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 23) Valeria Centellas, 15-13, 15-8
Semi-finals - Saturday
Paola Longoria d. 4) Alexandra Herrera, 15-3, 15-7
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 6) Rhonda Rajsich, 15-5, 11-15, 11-1
Final - Sunday
Paola Longoria v. 2) Maria Jose Vargas - 1 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas, 15-8, 15-4
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia d. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-9, 15-9
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - 2 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria beat both Herrera and Montserrat on Saturday in singles. She defeated Herrera in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-7, last night, and earlier beat Montserrat in the quarterfinals, 15-3, 15-8.
For her part, Vargas reached the final with a win over veteran 6th seed Rhonda Rajsich, 15-5, 11-15, 11-1, in the semi-finals. Rajsich had upset Salas, the 3rd seed, in the quarterfinals, 15-10, 6-15, 11-10. In the quarters, Vargas beat 23rd seed Valeria Centellas, 15-13, 15-8.
In the doubles semi-finals, Longoria and Salas defeated Centellas and Angelica Barrios, 15-8, 15-4, while Herrera and Mejia got the better of Vargas and Natalia Mendez, 15-9, 15-9
You can watch the Sweet Caroline finals live via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 2 PM. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Quarterfinals - Saturday
Paola Longoria v. 9) Montserrat Mejia, 15-3, 15-8
4) Alexandra Herrera v. 5) Natalia Mendez, 15-6, 12-15, 11-4
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 3) Samantha Salas, 15-10, 6-15, 11-10
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 23) Valeria Centellas, 15-13, 15-8
Semi-finals - Saturday
Paola Longoria d. 4) Alexandra Herrera, 15-3, 15-7
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 6) Rhonda Rajsich, 15-5, 11-15, 11-1
Final - Sunday
Paola Longoria v. 2) Maria Jose Vargas - 1 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas, 15-8, 15-4
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia d. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-9, 15-9
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - 2 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 25, 2020
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am - Friday results
Things went mostly as expected on Friday at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2020 Sweet Caroline Pro-Am in Greenville, South Carolina. Both LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Maria Jose Vargas are through to the quarterfinals. Longoria defeated Carla Muñoz, 15-4, 15-5, in the Round of 16 Friday, and Vargas beat Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-7. But who they play in the next around is somewhat surprising.
Longoria will play Montserrat Mejia in the quarters, which is a bit of a surprise, as Mejia is the 9th seed, and upset 8th seed Cristina Amaya in the 16s, 15-14, 15-9. Vargas plays Bolivian teenager Valeria Centellas, as the 23rd seed was an upset winner over 7th seed Nancy Enriquez in the 16s, winning 15-7, 15-5.
Centellas is also a surprise in doubles, as she and Angelica Barrios have reached the semi-finals by defeating Enriquez and Jessica Parrilla, 15-10, 15-5. But Centellas and Barrios almost didn’t match the quarters, as they only won their previous match by the narrowest of margins, slipping by Masiel Rivera and Lexi York, 15-8, 12-15, 11-10. Centellas and Barrios don’t have much LPRT experience, but they are the 2019 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Champions.
You can watch the Sweet Caroline action live via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The quarterfinals will be at 11 AM and noon, and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 2. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
17) Carla Muñoz d. 16) Cassi Lee, 15-3, 15-7
9) Montserrat Mejia d. 24) Lexi York, 15-7, 15-2
8) Cristina Amaya d. 25) Robin Whitmire, 15-2, 15-8
5) Natalia Mendez - BYE
12) Jessica Parrilla d. 21) Angelica Barrios, 15-1, 15-12
20) Erin Rivera d. 13) Ana Laura Flores, 4-15, 15-12, 11-3
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Samantha Salas - BYE
19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 14) Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-0
22) Susana Acosta d. 11) Adriana Riveros, 15-7, 15-12
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Nancy Enriquez d. 26) Megan Shelton, 15-0, 15-0
23) Valeria Centellas d. 10) Masiel Rivera, 15-14, 15-5
15) Sheryl Lotts d. 18) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 8-15, 15-2, 11-5
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 17) Carla Muñoz, 15-4, 15-5
9) Montserrat Mejia d. 8) Cristina Amaya, 15-14, 15-9
5) Natalia Mendez d. 12) Jessica Parrilla, 15-14, 9-15, 11-8
4) Alexandra Herrera d. 20) Erin Rivera, 15-8, 15-1
3) Samantha Salas d. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-7, 15-1
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 22) Susana Acosta, 15-3, 15-5
23) Valeria Centellas d. 7) Nancy Enriquez, 15-7, 15-5
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 15) Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-7
Quarterfinals - Saturday
Paola Longoria v. 9) Montserrat Mejia - Noon
4) Alexandra Herrera v. 5) Natalia Mendez - Noon
3) Samantha Salas v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 23) Valeria Centellas - 11 AM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros d. 9) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 4-15, 15-13, 11-7
12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas d. 5) Masiel Rivera & Lexi York, 15-8, 12-15, 11-10
4) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Carla Muñoz & Rhonda Rajsich d. 11) Malia Bailey & Cassi Lee, 15-6, 15-6
7) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts d. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Erin Rivera, 15-5, 15-14
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 8) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros, 15-14, 15-0
12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas d. 4) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla, 15-10, 15-5
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia v. 6) Carla Muñoz & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-8, 15-10
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts, 10-15, 15-10, 11-8
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas - 8 PM
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria will play Montserrat Mejia in the quarters, which is a bit of a surprise, as Mejia is the 9th seed, and upset 8th seed Cristina Amaya in the 16s, 15-14, 15-9. Vargas plays Bolivian teenager Valeria Centellas, as the 23rd seed was an upset winner over 7th seed Nancy Enriquez in the 16s, winning 15-7, 15-5.
Centellas is also a surprise in doubles, as she and Angelica Barrios have reached the semi-finals by defeating Enriquez and Jessica Parrilla, 15-10, 15-5. But Centellas and Barrios almost didn’t match the quarters, as they only won their previous match by the narrowest of margins, slipping by Masiel Rivera and Lexi York, 15-8, 12-15, 11-10. Centellas and Barrios don’t have much LPRT experience, but they are the 2019 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Champions.
You can watch the Sweet Caroline action live via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The quarterfinals will be at 11 AM and noon, and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 2. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
17) Carla Muñoz d. 16) Cassi Lee, 15-3, 15-7
9) Montserrat Mejia d. 24) Lexi York, 15-7, 15-2
8) Cristina Amaya d. 25) Robin Whitmire, 15-2, 15-8
5) Natalia Mendez - BYE
12) Jessica Parrilla d. 21) Angelica Barrios, 15-1, 15-12
20) Erin Rivera d. 13) Ana Laura Flores, 4-15, 15-12, 11-3
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Samantha Salas - BYE
19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 14) Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-0
22) Susana Acosta d. 11) Adriana Riveros, 15-7, 15-12
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Nancy Enriquez d. 26) Megan Shelton, 15-0, 15-0
23) Valeria Centellas d. 10) Masiel Rivera, 15-14, 15-5
15) Sheryl Lotts d. 18) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 8-15, 15-2, 11-5
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 17) Carla Muñoz, 15-4, 15-5
9) Montserrat Mejia d. 8) Cristina Amaya, 15-14, 15-9
5) Natalia Mendez d. 12) Jessica Parrilla, 15-14, 9-15, 11-8
4) Alexandra Herrera d. 20) Erin Rivera, 15-8, 15-1
3) Samantha Salas d. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-7, 15-1
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 22) Susana Acosta, 15-3, 15-5
23) Valeria Centellas d. 7) Nancy Enriquez, 15-7, 15-5
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 15) Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-7
Quarterfinals - Saturday
Paola Longoria v. 9) Montserrat Mejia - Noon
4) Alexandra Herrera v. 5) Natalia Mendez - Noon
3) Samantha Salas v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 23) Valeria Centellas - 11 AM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros d. 9) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 4-15, 15-13, 11-7
12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas d. 5) Masiel Rivera & Lexi York, 15-8, 12-15, 11-10
4) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Carla Muñoz & Rhonda Rajsich d. 11) Malia Bailey & Cassi Lee, 15-6, 15-6
7) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts d. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Erin Rivera, 15-5, 15-14
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 8) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros, 15-14, 15-0
12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas d. 4) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla, 15-10, 15-5
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia v. 6) Carla Muñoz & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-8, 15-10
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts, 10-15, 15-10, 11-8
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas - 8 PM
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday’s action at the 2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am
The 42nd Lewis Drug Pro-AM International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has been a bit of a “chalk” tournament, as the cool kids like to say, as 7 of the top 8 seeds are through to the quarterfinals in singles and the top 4 seeds are in the doubles semi-finals. In singles, Javier Mar is exception, as he upset 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 15-9, 5-15, 11-9, in one of several tie-breakers on Friday. Mar will play 6th seed Conrrado Moscoso in the quarters, as Moscoso beat his doubles partner Charlie Pratt, 15-6, 15-14, in the Round of 16.
Seventh seed Daniel De La Rosa outlasted 10th seed Rodrigo Montoya, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8, in the 16s, and will play 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the quarters, as Carson - in his first match after knee surgery - beat Gerardo Franco, 15-2, 15-7.
Also going tie-breaker was a big battle between 8th seed Samuel Murray and 9th seed Jake Bredenbeck with Bredenbeck taking game one, but Murray coming back to win the match, 9-15, 15-13, 11-6. Murray will play his doubles partner 2nd seeds Alejandro Landa Saturday, as Landa defeated Sebastian Fernandez in the 16s, 15-6, 15-10, on Friday.
Three of the four doubles matches went breaker, but the one that didn’t was a win for the new lefty-righty team of Adam Manilla and Mario Mercado, who defeated Andree Parrilla and Eduardo Portillo, 15-11, 15-11. Manilla and Mercado will face top seeds De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran, who had to come back from a game down to defeat Moscoso and Pratt, 13-15, 15-10, 11-6.
On the other side of the draw, 2nd seeds Landa and Murray fought of the veteran team of Tony Carson and Jansen Allen, 15-8, 14-15, 11-3, and will face 3rd seeds Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya in the semis, as Mar and Montoya won a tie-breaker against 6th seeds Andres Acuña and Felipe Camacho, 15-3, 11-15, 11-4.
Look for the Lewis Drug action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM, and the final at 11 AM Sunday. Doubles semi-finals are Saturday afternoon at 1 and 2 PM with the final on Sunday at noon. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Sebastian Fernandez d. 16) Adam Manilla, 15-6, 15-10
9) Jake Bredenbeck d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-11, 11-9
8) Samuel Murray - BYE
5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
Felipe Camacho d. 12) Carlos Keller, 4-15, 15-5, 11-9
Javier Estrada d. 13) Thomas Carter, 15-10, 9-15, 11-1
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
Javier Mar d. 14) Andres Acuña, 15-7, 15-11
Charlie Pratt d. 11) Mario Mercado, 15-13, 15-7
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Rodrigo Montoya d. Set Cubillos, 15-10, 15-2
15) Gerardo Franco d. Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-4
2) Rocky Carson - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa d. Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-8
8) Samuel Murray d. 9) Jake Bredenbeck, 9-15, 15-13, 11-6
5) Eduardo Portillo d. Felipe Camacho, 15-9, 15-11
4) Alvaro Beltran d. Javier Estrada, 15-8, 15-9
Javier Mar d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-9, 5-15, 11-9
6) Conrrado Moscoso d. Charlie Pratt, 15-6, 15-14
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 10) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8
2) Rocky Carson d. 15) Gerardo Franco, 15-2, 15-7
Quarterfinals - Saturday
Alejandro Landa v. 8) Samuel Murray - 11 AM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Eduardo Portillo - 11 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso v. Javier Mar - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Daniel De La Rosa - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt, 13-15, 15-10, 11-6
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado d. 5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo, 15-11, 15-11
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho, 15-3, 11-15, 11-4
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 15-8, 14-15, 11-3
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado - 2 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray v. 3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Seventh seed Daniel De La Rosa outlasted 10th seed Rodrigo Montoya, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8, in the 16s, and will play 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the quarters, as Carson - in his first match after knee surgery - beat Gerardo Franco, 15-2, 15-7.
Also going tie-breaker was a big battle between 8th seed Samuel Murray and 9th seed Jake Bredenbeck with Bredenbeck taking game one, but Murray coming back to win the match, 9-15, 15-13, 11-6. Murray will play his doubles partner 2nd seeds Alejandro Landa Saturday, as Landa defeated Sebastian Fernandez in the 16s, 15-6, 15-10, on Friday.
Three of the four doubles matches went breaker, but the one that didn’t was a win for the new lefty-righty team of Adam Manilla and Mario Mercado, who defeated Andree Parrilla and Eduardo Portillo, 15-11, 15-11. Manilla and Mercado will face top seeds De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran, who had to come back from a game down to defeat Moscoso and Pratt, 13-15, 15-10, 11-6.
On the other side of the draw, 2nd seeds Landa and Murray fought of the veteran team of Tony Carson and Jansen Allen, 15-8, 14-15, 11-3, and will face 3rd seeds Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya in the semis, as Mar and Montoya won a tie-breaker against 6th seeds Andres Acuña and Felipe Camacho, 15-3, 11-15, 11-4.
Look for the Lewis Drug action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM, and the final at 11 AM Sunday. Doubles semi-finals are Saturday afternoon at 1 and 2 PM with the final on Sunday at noon. All times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Sebastian Fernandez d. 16) Adam Manilla, 15-6, 15-10
9) Jake Bredenbeck d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-11, 11-9
8) Samuel Murray - BYE
5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
Felipe Camacho d. 12) Carlos Keller, 4-15, 15-5, 11-9
Javier Estrada d. 13) Thomas Carter, 15-10, 9-15, 11-1
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
Javier Mar d. 14) Andres Acuña, 15-7, 15-11
Charlie Pratt d. 11) Mario Mercado, 15-13, 15-7
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Rodrigo Montoya d. Set Cubillos, 15-10, 15-2
15) Gerardo Franco d. Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-4
2) Rocky Carson - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa d. Sebastian Fernandez, 15-10, 15-8
8) Samuel Murray d. 9) Jake Bredenbeck, 9-15, 15-13, 11-6
5) Eduardo Portillo d. Felipe Camacho, 15-9, 15-11
4) Alvaro Beltran d. Javier Estrada, 15-8, 15-9
Javier Mar d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-9, 5-15, 11-9
6) Conrrado Moscoso d. Charlie Pratt, 15-6, 15-14
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. 10) Rodrigo Montoya, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8
2) Rocky Carson d. 15) Gerardo Franco, 15-2, 15-7
Quarterfinals - Saturday
Alejandro Landa v. 8) Samuel Murray - 11 AM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Eduardo Portillo - 11 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso v. Javier Mar - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Daniel De La Rosa - 10 AM
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt, 13-15, 15-10, 11-6
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado d. 5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo, 15-11, 15-11
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya d. 6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho, 15-3, 11-15, 11-4
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 15-8, 14-15, 11-3
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa v. 4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado - 2 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray v. 3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Thursday results from the 2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am
The first day of competition is done at the 42nd Lewis Drug Pro-AM International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and there weren’t any big surprises, but some good matches were played. A couple of great matches happened in doubles, as 10th seeds Jansen Allen and Tony Carson upset 7th seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck, 15-12, 11-15, 11-9, with Carson - who is battling an illness that led him to forfeit his singles match - won it with a backhand pinch shot that could not have rolled out of the front right corner any better. They’ll play 2nd seeds Alejandro Landa and Samuel Murray in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Also winning in a tie-breaker were 6th seeds Andres Acuña and Felipe Camacho, who beat 11th seeds Javier Estrada and Alan Natera, 15-10, 6-15, 11-8, so they will play 3rd seeds Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya in the quarters.
Look for the Lewis Drug action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 32 begins Friday morning at 10 and 11 AM with the Round of 16 at 4 and 5 PM. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM, and the final at 11 AM Sunday. Doubles will be Friday night (quarterfinals), Saturday afternoon (semi-finals) and Sunday (final at noon). All times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Lee Meinerz d. Tony Carson, 15-14, injury forfeit
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Hiroshi Shimizu v. Travis Mettenbrink, 10- 15, 15-10, 11-6
Javier Estrada - BYE
Javier Mar - BYE
Lee Connell d. Anthony Martin, 4-15, 15-12, 11-0
Charles Pratt - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Set Cubillos - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Tim Landeryou d. Andrés Gómez, 15-6, 15-13
Robert Collins - BYE
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez d. Lee Meinerz, 15-8, 15-12
Q8 - Kadim Carrasco d. Jansen Allen, 14-15, 15-6, 11-6
Q5 - Felipe Camacho d. Sam Bredenbeck, 15-9, 15-14
Q4 - Javier Estrada d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 15-11, 15-7
Q3 - Javier Mar d. Lee Connell, 15-6, 15-5
Q6 - Charles Pratt d. Alan Natera, 15-10, 15-8
Q7 - Set Cubillos d. Scott McClellan, 15-7, 9-15, 11-5
Q2 - Robert Collins d.Tim Landeryou, 15-12, 15-12
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa - BYE
16) Adam Manilla v. Sebastian Fernandez - 11 AM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Kadim Carrasco - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray - BYE
5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
12) Carlos Keller v. Felipe Camacho - 11 AM
13) Thomas Carter v. Javier Estrada - 11 AM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Andres Acuña v. Javier Mar - 10 AM
11) Mario Mercado v. Charlie Pratt - 10 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Rodrigo Montoya v. Set Cubillos - 10 AM
15) Gerardo Franco v. Robert Collins - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson - BYE
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt d. 8) Kadim Carrasco & Carlos Keller, 15-8, 15-11
5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo d. 12) Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou, 15-14, 15-2
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado - BYE
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho d. 11) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera, 15-10, 6-15, 11-8
10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. 7) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck, 15-12, 11-15, 11-9
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt - 7 PM
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado d. 5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo - 7 PM
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho - 8 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - 8 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Also winning in a tie-breaker were 6th seeds Andres Acuña and Felipe Camacho, who beat 11th seeds Javier Estrada and Alan Natera, 15-10, 6-15, 11-8, so they will play 3rd seeds Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya in the quarters.
Look for the Lewis Drug action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 32 begins Friday morning at 10 and 11 AM with the Round of 16 at 4 and 5 PM. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM, and the final at 11 AM Sunday. Doubles will be Friday night (quarterfinals), Saturday afternoon (semi-finals) and Sunday (final at noon). All times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Lee Meinerz d. Tony Carson, 15-14, injury forfeit
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Hiroshi Shimizu v. Travis Mettenbrink, 10- 15, 15-10, 11-6
Javier Estrada - BYE
Javier Mar - BYE
Lee Connell d. Anthony Martin, 4-15, 15-12, 11-0
Charles Pratt - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Set Cubillos - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Tim Landeryou d. Andrés Gómez, 15-6, 15-13
Robert Collins - BYE
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez d. Lee Meinerz, 15-8, 15-12
Q8 - Kadim Carrasco d. Jansen Allen, 14-15, 15-6, 11-6
Q5 - Felipe Camacho d. Sam Bredenbeck, 15-9, 15-14
Q4 - Javier Estrada d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 15-11, 15-7
Q3 - Javier Mar d. Lee Connell, 15-6, 15-5
Q6 - Charles Pratt d. Alan Natera, 15-10, 15-8
Q7 - Set Cubillos d. Scott McClellan, 15-7, 9-15, 11-5
Q2 - Robert Collins d.Tim Landeryou, 15-12, 15-12
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa - BYE
16) Adam Manilla v. Sebastian Fernandez - 11 AM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Kadim Carrasco - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray - BYE
5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
12) Carlos Keller v. Felipe Camacho - 11 AM
13) Thomas Carter v. Javier Estrada - 11 AM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Andres Acuña v. Javier Mar - 10 AM
11) Mario Mercado v. Charlie Pratt - 10 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Rodrigo Montoya v. Set Cubillos - 10 AM
15) Gerardo Franco v. Robert Collins - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson - BYE
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt d. 8) Kadim Carrasco & Carlos Keller, 15-8, 15-11
5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo d. 12) Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou, 15-14, 15-2
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado - BYE
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho d. 11) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera, 15-10, 6-15, 11-8
10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. 7) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck, 15-12, 11-15, 11-9
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
IRT Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa d. 9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt - 7 PM
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado d. 5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo - 7 PM
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho - 8 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray d. 10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - 8 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am Preview
Round 2 of 3 back to back to back weekends on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) sees players make the trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for one of the longest running racquetball tournaments: the Lewis Drug Pro-Am now in its 42nd year. The Lewis Drug event is one of the best supported IRT events, and with no fewer than 27 of the top 32 IRT players - and 8 of the top 9 - in South Dakota, there are sure to be some great matches. But most notable in his absence is IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, who misses the event due to illness.
Rocky Carson, the IRT’s #3 player, makes his return to the tour after missing last weekend’s Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, as he was still recovering from the knee surgery he had last month. Carson is one of the two players who have won an IRT event this season other than Waselenchuk. The other is IRT #2 Alejandro Landa, who is the top seed this weekend in Waselenchuk’s absence.
Speaking of injuries, Conrrado Moscoso picked up an injury during his quarterfinal match with Waselenchuk last weekend in Austin, and it looked fairly serious. Moscoso’s in the Sioux Falls field, but we’re not sure how fit he’ll be. We hope he’s fit, especially as he’s slated to play doubles with Charlie Pratt, which is an interesting pairing. Adding to the interest, they will play Moscoso’s Bolivian countrymen Carlos Keller and Kadim Carrasco in their first match.
Sioux Falls has been a good venue for Landa - it’s where he won his 1st IRT event, as well as Daniel De La Rosa, who’s been in the Sioux Falls finals three years running, winning in 2017 and being runner up the last two seasons (to Landa in 2018 and Waselenchuk last year). De La Rosa is coming off a great showing last weekend in Austin, where he finished 2nd to Waselenchuk.
They will be two of the players to watch this weekend, as will Adam Manilla, who’ll try to capture lightning in a bottle like he did in Austin with his 1st semi-final appearance. Manilla had only been in the quarters three times (over 19 events in the last three seasons) before last weekend. Manilla and Landa are on track to play each other in the Round of 16, so even though Landa is top seed, his route to a 2nd Lewis Drug title won’t be easy.
Look for the Lewis Drug action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. There will be two rounds of matches Thursday starting at noon. The Round of 32 begins Friday morning at 10 and 11 AM with the Round of 16 at 4 and 5 PM. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM, and the final at 11 AM Sunday. Doubles will be Thursday night (Round of 16), Friday night (quarterfinals), Saturday afternoon (semi-finals) and Sunday (final at noon). All times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Tony Carson v. Lee Meinerz - 1 PM
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Hiroshi Shimizu v. Travis Mettenbrink - 1 PM
Javier Estrada - BYE
Javier Mar - BYE
Anthony Martin v. Lee Connell - Noon
Charles Pratt - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Set Cubillos - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Andrés Gómez v. Tim Landeryou - Noon
Robert Collins - BYE
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez v. Tony Carson or Lee Meinerz - 4 PM
Q8 - Jansen Allen v. Kadim Carrasco - 4 PM
Q5 - Felipe Camacho v. Sam Bredenbeck - 4 PM
Q4 - Javier Estrada v. Hiroshi Shimizu or Travis Mettenbrink - 4 PM
Q3 - Javier Mar v. Anthony Martin or Lee Connell - 3 PM
Q6 - Charles Pratt v. Alan Natera - 3 PM
Q7 - Set Cubillos v. Scott McClellan - 3 PM
Q2 - Robert Collins v. Andrés Gómez or Tim Landeryou - 3 PM
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa - BYE
16) Adam Manilla v. Q1 - 11 AM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Q8 - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray - BYE
5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
12) Carlos Keller v. Q5 - 11 AM
13) Thomas Carter v. Q4 - 11 AM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Andres Acuña v. Q3 - 10 AM
11) Mario Mercado v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Rodrigo Montoya v. Q7 - 10 AM
15) Gerardo Franco v. Q2 - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson - BYE
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Kadim Carrasco & Carlos Keller v. 9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt - 8 PM
5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo v. 12) Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou - 8 PM
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado - BYE
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho v. 11) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera - 7 PM
7) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson 7 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rocky Carson, the IRT’s #3 player, makes his return to the tour after missing last weekend’s Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, as he was still recovering from the knee surgery he had last month. Carson is one of the two players who have won an IRT event this season other than Waselenchuk. The other is IRT #2 Alejandro Landa, who is the top seed this weekend in Waselenchuk’s absence.
Speaking of injuries, Conrrado Moscoso picked up an injury during his quarterfinal match with Waselenchuk last weekend in Austin, and it looked fairly serious. Moscoso’s in the Sioux Falls field, but we’re not sure how fit he’ll be. We hope he’s fit, especially as he’s slated to play doubles with Charlie Pratt, which is an interesting pairing. Adding to the interest, they will play Moscoso’s Bolivian countrymen Carlos Keller and Kadim Carrasco in their first match.
Sioux Falls has been a good venue for Landa - it’s where he won his 1st IRT event, as well as Daniel De La Rosa, who’s been in the Sioux Falls finals three years running, winning in 2017 and being runner up the last two seasons (to Landa in 2018 and Waselenchuk last year). De La Rosa is coming off a great showing last weekend in Austin, where he finished 2nd to Waselenchuk.
They will be two of the players to watch this weekend, as will Adam Manilla, who’ll try to capture lightning in a bottle like he did in Austin with his 1st semi-final appearance. Manilla had only been in the quarters three times (over 19 events in the last three seasons) before last weekend. Manilla and Landa are on track to play each other in the Round of 16, so even though Landa is top seed, his route to a 2nd Lewis Drug title won’t be easy.
Look for the Lewis Drug action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. There will be two rounds of matches Thursday starting at noon. The Round of 32 begins Friday morning at 10 and 11 AM with the Round of 16 at 4 and 5 PM. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM, and the final at 11 AM Sunday. Doubles will be Thursday night (Round of 16), Friday night (quarterfinals), Saturday afternoon (semi-finals) and Sunday (final at noon). All times Central.
2020 IRT Lewis Drug Pro-Am, January 23-26, 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
Tony Carson v. Lee Meinerz - 1 PM
Kadim Carrasco - BYE
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Hiroshi Shimizu v. Travis Mettenbrink - 1 PM
Javier Estrada - BYE
Javier Mar - BYE
Anthony Martin v. Lee Connell - Noon
Charles Pratt - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Set Cubillos - BYE
Scott McClellan - BYE
Andrés Gómez v. Tim Landeryou - Noon
Robert Collins - BYE
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q1 - Sebastian Fernandez v. Tony Carson or Lee Meinerz - 4 PM
Q8 - Jansen Allen v. Kadim Carrasco - 4 PM
Q5 - Felipe Camacho v. Sam Bredenbeck - 4 PM
Q4 - Javier Estrada v. Hiroshi Shimizu or Travis Mettenbrink - 4 PM
Q3 - Javier Mar v. Anthony Martin or Lee Connell - 3 PM
Q6 - Charles Pratt v. Alan Natera - 3 PM
Q7 - Set Cubillos v. Scott McClellan - 3 PM
Q2 - Robert Collins v. Andrés Gómez or Tim Landeryou - 3 PM
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa - BYE
16) Adam Manilla v. Q1 - 11 AM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Q8 - 11 AM
8) Samuel Murray - BYE
5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
12) Carlos Keller v. Q5 - 11 AM
13) Thomas Carter v. Q4 - 11 AM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Andres Acuña v. Q3 - 10 AM
11) Mario Mercado v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Rodrigo Montoya v. Q7 - 10 AM
15) Gerardo Franco v. Q2 - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson - BYE
IRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
8) Kadim Carrasco & Carlos Keller v. 9) Conrrado Moscoso & Charlie Pratt - 8 PM
5) Andree Parrilla & 6) Eduardo Portillo v. 12) Lee Connell & Tim Landeryou - 8 PM
4) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado - BYE
3) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
6) Andres Acuña & Felipe Camacho v. 11) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera - 7 PM
7) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 10) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson 7 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Samuel Murray - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am Preview
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) returns to Greenville, South Carolina for the 2020 Sweet Caroline Pro-Am. It’s a Grand Slam level event, so a field of 27 players have made the trip to Greenville to vie for the title. LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Maria Jose Vargas lead a field that has the top 11 ranked players and 19 of the top 20, as well as the top 2 players from the 2019 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships in Angelica Barrios and Valeria Centellas, as well as former LPRT top 10 player Susana Acosta.
In short, the field is packed!
Three Round of 32 matches to watch for are former top 5 player Jessica Parrilla versus current IRF U18 World Junior Champion Barrios. Also, 10th seed Masiel Rivera against 23rd seed Valeria Centellas, because both have been semi-finalists this season; Rivera in Virginia Beach and Centellas two weeks ago in Florida. The 15/18 match should be good too, as the USA’s Sheryl Lotts takes on Guatemala’s Maria Renee Rodriguez.
You can watch the Sweet Caroline action live via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The Round of 32 begins at 9 AM on Friday, with the Round of 16 beginning at Friday at 3 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals will be at 11 AM and noon, and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 2. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Cassi Lee v. 17) Carla Muñoz - Noon
9) Montserrat Mejia v. 24) Lexi York - 11 AM
8) Cristina Amaya v. 25) Robin Whitmire - 11 AM
5) Natalia Mendez - BYE
12) Jessica Parrilla v. 21) Angelica Barrios - 9 AM
13) Ana Laura Flores v. 20) Erin Rivera - 9 AM
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Samantha Salas - BYE
14) Adrienne Haynes v. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 9 AM
11) Adriana Riveros v. 22) Susana Acosta - 10 AM
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Nancy Enriquez v. 26) Megan Shelton - 10 AM
10) Masiel Rivera v. 23) Valeria Centellas - 10 AM
15) Sheryl Lotts v. 18) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 11 AM
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 9) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez - 1 PM
5) Masiel Rivera & Lexi York v. 12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas - Noon
4) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Carla Muñoz & Rhonda Rajsich v. 11) Malia Bailey & Cassi Lee - 1 PM
7) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts v. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Erin Rivera - Noon
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
In short, the field is packed!
Three Round of 32 matches to watch for are former top 5 player Jessica Parrilla versus current IRF U18 World Junior Champion Barrios. Also, 10th seed Masiel Rivera against 23rd seed Valeria Centellas, because both have been semi-finalists this season; Rivera in Virginia Beach and Centellas two weeks ago in Florida. The 15/18 match should be good too, as the USA’s Sheryl Lotts takes on Guatemala’s Maria Renee Rodriguez.
You can watch the Sweet Caroline action live via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The Round of 32 begins at 9 AM on Friday, with the Round of 16 beginning at Friday at 3 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals will be at 11 AM and noon, and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 2. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Sweet Caroline Pro-Am, January 24-26, 2020
Greenville, South Carolina
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Cassi Lee v. 17) Carla Muñoz - Noon
9) Montserrat Mejia v. 24) Lexi York - 11 AM
8) Cristina Amaya v. 25) Robin Whitmire - 11 AM
5) Natalia Mendez - BYE
12) Jessica Parrilla v. 21) Angelica Barrios - 9 AM
13) Ana Laura Flores v. 20) Erin Rivera - 9 AM
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Samantha Salas - BYE
14) Adrienne Haynes v. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 9 AM
11) Adriana Riveros v. 22) Susana Acosta - 10 AM
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Nancy Enriquez v. 26) Megan Shelton - 10 AM
10) Masiel Rivera v. 23) Valeria Centellas - 10 AM
15) Sheryl Lotts v. 18) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 11 AM
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 9) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez - 1 PM
5) Masiel Rivera & Lexi York v. 12) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas - Noon
4) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Carla Muñoz & Rhonda Rajsich v. 11) Malia Bailey & Cassi Lee - 1 PM
7) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts v. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Erin Rivera - Noon
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 20, 2020
Weekend Round Up - Wins for Zelada, Bailey Lawrence, Portillo & Rodriguez
Mauricio Zelada won the 2020 Wintergreen Classic - a Tier 5 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - in Laurel, Maryland on the weekend. Zelada defeated Maurice Miller in the final, 15-14, 10-15, 11-0. Zelada also needed three games to win his semi-final match against Troy Warigon, winning 15-4, 9-15, 11-4. Miller beat David Austin in the other semi, 15-5, 15-7.
There were three Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) players in the Wintergreen Classic, and Kelani Bailey Lawrence came out on top, defeating both Valeria Centellas, 15-5, 15-5, and Masiel Rivera, 15-4, 15-14.
But Centellas and Miller teamed up to win the Mixed Open Doubles title, as they defeated Bailey Lawrence and Warigon in the final, 15-10, 15-12. In the semi-finals, Centellas and Miller beat Rivera and Dylan Pruitt, 15-9, 15-14, and Bailey Lawrence and Warigon defeated Kristen Junkin and Ross Weinberg, 15-11, 15-6.
In Austin, Texas, Eduardo Portillo won Men’s Open at the 2020 Longhorn Open with a forfeit win over Mario Mercado in the final. In the semi-finals, Portillo beat Alan Natera, 8-15, 15-6, 11-6, and Mercado defeated a surprise semi-finalist, Juan Loreto, who was the 14th seed, 15-10, 4-15, 11-7.
Maria Renee Rodriguez won Women’s Open at the Longhorn Open, as she defeated Linda Tyler, 15-12, 6-15, 11-6, in the final. Rodriguez beat Shane Diaz in one semi-final, 15-2, 15-0, with Tyler defeating Annie Furr, 15-7, 15-3, in the other.
But Tyler got the better of Rodriguez in the Mixed Open Doubles final, as she and husband Garrett Tyler defeated Rodriguez and Richard Eisemann, 15-6, 15-12.
There are two pro events this coming weekend. The IRT is in action in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Lewis Drug Pro-Am, and the LPRT will play in Greenville, South Carolina for the Sweet Caroline Open.
2020 IRT Tier 5 Wintergreen Classic, January 17-19, 2020
Laurel, Maryland
Men’s Open Final
2) Mauricio Zelada d. 1) Maurice Miller, 15-14, 10-15, 11-0
Semi-finals
1) Maurice Miller d. 4) David Austin, 15-5, 15-7.
2) Mauricio Zelada d. 3) Troy Warigon, 15-4, 9-15, 11-4
Women’s Open
1. Kelani Bailey Lawrence
2. Valeria Centellas
3. Masiel Rivera
Mixed Open Doubles Final
2) Valeria Centellas & Maurice Miller d. 1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Troy Warigon, 15-10, 15-12
Semi-finals
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Troy Warigon d. 5) Kristen Junkin & Ross Weinberg, 15-11, 15-6
2) Valeria Centellas & Maurice Miller d. 3) Masiel Rivera & Dylan Pruitt, 15-9, 15-14
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Men’s Open Final
1) Eduardo Portillo d. 2) Mario Mercado, forfeit
Semi-finals
1) Eduardo Portillo d. 5) Alan Natera, 8-15, 15-6, 11-6
2) Mario Mercado d. 14) Juan Loreto, 15-10, 4-15, 11-7
Men’s Open Final
1) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 2) Linda Tyler, 15-12, 6-15, 11-6
Semi-finals
1) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 5) Shane Diaz, 15-2, 15-0
2) Linda Tyler d. 6) Annie Furr, 15-7, 15-3
Mixed Open Doubles Final
2) Linda Tyler & Garrett Tyler d. 1) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Richard Eisemann, 15-6, 15-12
Semi-finals
1) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Richard Eisemann d. 4) Kanesha Madison & Eddie Vann, 15-10, 15-1
2) Linda Tyler & Garrett Tyler d. 3) Karen Grisz & Mike Grisz, 15-6, 8-15, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
There were three Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) players in the Wintergreen Classic, and Kelani Bailey Lawrence came out on top, defeating both Valeria Centellas, 15-5, 15-5, and Masiel Rivera, 15-4, 15-14.
But Centellas and Miller teamed up to win the Mixed Open Doubles title, as they defeated Bailey Lawrence and Warigon in the final, 15-10, 15-12. In the semi-finals, Centellas and Miller beat Rivera and Dylan Pruitt, 15-9, 15-14, and Bailey Lawrence and Warigon defeated Kristen Junkin and Ross Weinberg, 15-11, 15-6.
In Austin, Texas, Eduardo Portillo won Men’s Open at the 2020 Longhorn Open with a forfeit win over Mario Mercado in the final. In the semi-finals, Portillo beat Alan Natera, 8-15, 15-6, 11-6, and Mercado defeated a surprise semi-finalist, Juan Loreto, who was the 14th seed, 15-10, 4-15, 11-7.
Maria Renee Rodriguez won Women’s Open at the Longhorn Open, as she defeated Linda Tyler, 15-12, 6-15, 11-6, in the final. Rodriguez beat Shane Diaz in one semi-final, 15-2, 15-0, with Tyler defeating Annie Furr, 15-7, 15-3, in the other.
But Tyler got the better of Rodriguez in the Mixed Open Doubles final, as she and husband Garrett Tyler defeated Rodriguez and Richard Eisemann, 15-6, 15-12.
There are two pro events this coming weekend. The IRT is in action in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Lewis Drug Pro-Am, and the LPRT will play in Greenville, South Carolina for the Sweet Caroline Open.
2020 IRT Tier 5 Wintergreen Classic, January 17-19, 2020
Laurel, Maryland
Men’s Open Final
2) Mauricio Zelada d. 1) Maurice Miller, 15-14, 10-15, 11-0
Semi-finals
1) Maurice Miller d. 4) David Austin, 15-5, 15-7.
2) Mauricio Zelada d. 3) Troy Warigon, 15-4, 9-15, 11-4
Women’s Open
1. Kelani Bailey Lawrence
2. Valeria Centellas
3. Masiel Rivera
Mixed Open Doubles Final
2) Valeria Centellas & Maurice Miller d. 1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Troy Warigon, 15-10, 15-12
Semi-finals
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Troy Warigon d. 5) Kristen Junkin & Ross Weinberg, 15-11, 15-6
2) Valeria Centellas & Maurice Miller d. 3) Masiel Rivera & Dylan Pruitt, 15-9, 15-14
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Men’s Open Final
1) Eduardo Portillo d. 2) Mario Mercado, forfeit
Semi-finals
1) Eduardo Portillo d. 5) Alan Natera, 8-15, 15-6, 11-6
2) Mario Mercado d. 14) Juan Loreto, 15-10, 4-15, 11-7
Men’s Open Final
1) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 2) Linda Tyler, 15-12, 6-15, 11-6
Semi-finals
1) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 5) Shane Diaz, 15-2, 15-0
2) Linda Tyler d. 6) Annie Furr, 15-7, 15-3
Mixed Open Doubles Final
2) Linda Tyler & Garrett Tyler d. 1) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Richard Eisemann, 15-6, 15-12
Semi-finals
1) Maria Renee Rodriguez & Richard Eisemann d. 4) Kanesha Madison & Eddie Vann, 15-10, 15-1
2) Linda Tyler & Garrett Tyler d. 3) Karen Grisz & Mike Grisz, 15-6, 8-15, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Waselenchuk wins 2020 IRT Longhorn Open
He promised a win, and Kane Waselenchuk - the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - delivered a win in his hometown of Austin, Texas on Sunday at the 2020 IRT Longhorn Open. But it didn’t come easily, as Waselenchuk faced an rejuvenated Daniel De La Rosa in the final. Yet he did win in two straight games, 15-9, 15-10. In the three matches leading up to the final, Waselenchuk gave up 13 points total, so Sunday’s match was the stiffest test he’d faced.
“This feels the best out of all of them,” Waselenchuk said after the match, comparing today’s victory to his many previous titles, because he was playing in front of so many friends and family. When he hit the final shot - a drive serve to the right side that stuck in the back right corner for an ace, Waselenchuk’s celebration seemed to have a sense of relief, as well as joy. “It’s an amazing feeling,” he said of winning in front of so much support.
Waselenchuk put “a lot of pressure on [himself] to win,” so he almost wanted “to play perfect” even though he knew that wasn’t realistic. But he started out the match pretty well, going up 10-1 in game one.
However, De La Rosa dug in, and scored six points on consecutive rallies to cut Waselenchuk’s lead to three at 10-7, and then two at 10-8. But the IRT #1 scored four in a row as a response to reach game point at 14-8. De La Rosa fought of three game points, scoring one of his own in the process, before Waselenchuk finished it off, 15-9.
It was “almost like too much adrenaline” that wore off in the middle of game one, said Waselenchuk afterwards.
De La Rosa built on the momentum he gained in the second half of game one to take the lead early in game two, and carried it into the middle of the game. He led 7-2 and 8-3, but Waselenchuk went from being behind, 8-4, to being ahead, 10-8, by winning six consecutive rallies. De La Rosa took a timeout, when the score was tied 8-8, but that didn’t stop Waselenchuk.
De La Rosa did get a couple more points, but once Waselenchuk was in the lead, it seemed that it was only a matter of time before he was going to win.
Nonetheless, De La Rosa felt “happy” after the match, because although he thought Waselenchuk “played good,” De La Rosa felt “I played really good.” He’s “enjoying playing racquetball” again, which bodes well for future IRT events - though maybe not for other IRT players, because as Waselenchuk said De La Rosa’s “a great player” and he can threaten even the IRT’s best.
Waselenchuk won for the 5th time this season, and will maintain his #1 ranking. De La Rosa’s runner up finish was his best of the season. He’d only been in one semi-final prior to this, and is ranked 6th on tour. De La Rosa’s ranking may not change, as he’s over 400 points behind Alvaro Beltran, who was a semi-finalist in Austin.
The IRT is back in action next weekend with the Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and they’ll play the Lou Bradley Memorial in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin the weekend after, January 30-February 2. If you missed any of the Longhorn Open action check out the IRT YouTube channel.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Final - Sunday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 7) Daniel De La Rosa, 15-9, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
“This feels the best out of all of them,” Waselenchuk said after the match, comparing today’s victory to his many previous titles, because he was playing in front of so many friends and family. When he hit the final shot - a drive serve to the right side that stuck in the back right corner for an ace, Waselenchuk’s celebration seemed to have a sense of relief, as well as joy. “It’s an amazing feeling,” he said of winning in front of so much support.
Waselenchuk put “a lot of pressure on [himself] to win,” so he almost wanted “to play perfect” even though he knew that wasn’t realistic. But he started out the match pretty well, going up 10-1 in game one.
However, De La Rosa dug in, and scored six points on consecutive rallies to cut Waselenchuk’s lead to three at 10-7, and then two at 10-8. But the IRT #1 scored four in a row as a response to reach game point at 14-8. De La Rosa fought of three game points, scoring one of his own in the process, before Waselenchuk finished it off, 15-9.
It was “almost like too much adrenaline” that wore off in the middle of game one, said Waselenchuk afterwards.
De La Rosa built on the momentum he gained in the second half of game one to take the lead early in game two, and carried it into the middle of the game. He led 7-2 and 8-3, but Waselenchuk went from being behind, 8-4, to being ahead, 10-8, by winning six consecutive rallies. De La Rosa took a timeout, when the score was tied 8-8, but that didn’t stop Waselenchuk.
De La Rosa did get a couple more points, but once Waselenchuk was in the lead, it seemed that it was only a matter of time before he was going to win.
Nonetheless, De La Rosa felt “happy” after the match, because although he thought Waselenchuk “played good,” De La Rosa felt “I played really good.” He’s “enjoying playing racquetball” again, which bodes well for future IRT events - though maybe not for other IRT players, because as Waselenchuk said De La Rosa’s “a great player” and he can threaten even the IRT’s best.
Waselenchuk won for the 5th time this season, and will maintain his #1 ranking. De La Rosa’s runner up finish was his best of the season. He’d only been in one semi-final prior to this, and is ranked 6th on tour. De La Rosa’s ranking may not change, as he’s over 400 points behind Alvaro Beltran, who was a semi-finalist in Austin.
The IRT is back in action next weekend with the Lewis Drug Pro-Am in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and they’ll play the Lou Bradley Memorial in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin the weekend after, January 30-February 2. If you missed any of the Longhorn Open action check out the IRT YouTube channel.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Final - Sunday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 7) Daniel De La Rosa, 15-9, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Waselenchuk & De La Rosa to meet in 2020 IRT Longhorn Open final Sunday
Daniel De La Rosa ended Adam Manilla’s hopes of a 1st career final Saturday night at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2020 Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, as he defeated Manilla, 13-15, 15-7, 11-2, in the semi-finals. De La Rosa will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in Sunday's final, as Waselenchuk beat 4th seed Alvaro Beltran, 15-1, 15-2.
De La Rosa and Manilla were close all the way in game one, although Manilla was the only one to lead from 9-9 on. At 13-13, Manilla got the serve back with a backhand return winner off a lob serve to the right side - the left-handed Manilla’s backhand side. Manilla won the game, 15-13, on the next two rallies, hitting a forehand pinch shot for his 14th point, and a backhand winner for the 15th point.
De La Rosa got off to a great start in game two, as he took a 11-1 lead. Manilla was able to cut that lead to 11-6, but it was too much to come all the way back. Thus, they needed a tie-breaking third game to decide the winner.
In the breaker, De La Rosa took the early lead at 5-0. An ace serve by Manilla got him on the board at 5-1. But that was just delaying the inevitable, as De La Rosa hit a great forehand pinch shot from deep to get the serve back, and then put up five more points to lead 10-1. Manilla stopped the 1st match point with a great forehand return, but he couldn’t stop the 2nd, as De La Rosa won 11-2.
Afterwards, Manilla said he “didn’t have it in the tank in the end,” and he was missing some shots in games two and three that he’d been making earlier in the match and earlier in the day. Nonetheless, Manilla had a great tournament in making his 1st semi-final at a Tier 1 event.
Waselenchuk has been in many semi-finals, but there are few that he’s played better in than tonight’s at the Longhorn Open. He said afterwards that he “felt it during warm up,” and knew it was going to be a good night for him. He “felt good all match. Gotta love these days,” said Waselenchuk.
Waselenchuk lives in Austin, so he’s playing at home, and several of his friends, who’d never seen him play competitively, were on hand to see the semi-final. With such an audience, it’s “easy to get pumped up,” he said.
Asked about a game plan versus De La Rosa, Waselenchuk said “play like I did today,” although he acknowledged that would be difficult. But regardless “I’m walking away with the W” on Sunday, said the IRT’s #1 player.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The final will be at 12:30 PM* Central time Sunday.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 4) Alvaro Beltran, 15-1, 15-2
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. Adam Manilla, 13-15, 15-7, 11-2
Final - Sunday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 7) Daniel De La Rosa - 12:30 PM*
*note: the R2 draw states noon for the final, but on the live stream of the matches, they have said the final will be at 12:30.
Follow the bouncing ball….
De La Rosa and Manilla were close all the way in game one, although Manilla was the only one to lead from 9-9 on. At 13-13, Manilla got the serve back with a backhand return winner off a lob serve to the right side - the left-handed Manilla’s backhand side. Manilla won the game, 15-13, on the next two rallies, hitting a forehand pinch shot for his 14th point, and a backhand winner for the 15th point.
De La Rosa got off to a great start in game two, as he took a 11-1 lead. Manilla was able to cut that lead to 11-6, but it was too much to come all the way back. Thus, they needed a tie-breaking third game to decide the winner.
In the breaker, De La Rosa took the early lead at 5-0. An ace serve by Manilla got him on the board at 5-1. But that was just delaying the inevitable, as De La Rosa hit a great forehand pinch shot from deep to get the serve back, and then put up five more points to lead 10-1. Manilla stopped the 1st match point with a great forehand return, but he couldn’t stop the 2nd, as De La Rosa won 11-2.
Afterwards, Manilla said he “didn’t have it in the tank in the end,” and he was missing some shots in games two and three that he’d been making earlier in the match and earlier in the day. Nonetheless, Manilla had a great tournament in making his 1st semi-final at a Tier 1 event.
Waselenchuk has been in many semi-finals, but there are few that he’s played better in than tonight’s at the Longhorn Open. He said afterwards that he “felt it during warm up,” and knew it was going to be a good night for him. He “felt good all match. Gotta love these days,” said Waselenchuk.
Waselenchuk lives in Austin, so he’s playing at home, and several of his friends, who’d never seen him play competitively, were on hand to see the semi-final. With such an audience, it’s “easy to get pumped up,” he said.
Asked about a game plan versus De La Rosa, Waselenchuk said “play like I did today,” although he acknowledged that would be difficult. But regardless “I’m walking away with the W” on Sunday, said the IRT’s #1 player.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The final will be at 12:30 PM* Central time Sunday.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 4) Alvaro Beltran, 15-1, 15-2
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. Adam Manilla, 13-15, 15-7, 11-2
Final - Sunday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 7) Daniel De La Rosa - 12:30 PM*
*note: the R2 draw states noon for the final, but on the live stream of the matches, they have said the final will be at 12:30.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Manilla surprise semi-finalist at 2020 IRT Longhorn Open
Adam Manilla’s fine run of form continued Saturday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2020 Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, as he defeated 11th seed Mario Mercado, 15-8, 15-9, in the quarterfinals. He’ll play his 1st IRT semi-final Saturday night against 7th seed Daniel De La Rosa, who was also a straight game winner. De La Rosa beat Eduardo Garay, 15-6, 15-8.
After his match, Manilla said he’s “feeling good.” He’s made a commitment to “playing the tour full time.” Manilla has been “working hard” and credited his coach Jim Winterton with helping him improve. He served well against Mercado, and said “drive serve is where it all starts.”
Mercardo was up 8-4 in game one, only to see Manilla score 11 unanswered points to snatch it from him, 15-8. With that momentum, Manilla went up 7-1 in game two - outscoring Mercado 18-1 over that stretch - and never trailed the game. Mercado got within one at 7-6 and 8-7, but Manilla stepped it up again and won game two 15-9.
The top half of the draw is business as usual, as IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will take on 4th seed Alvaro Beltran in the other semi-final. Waselenchuk defeated 8th seed Conrrado Moscoso, 15-4, 15-1, in the quarterfinals. But Moscoso hurt his left knee, when he was down 5-0 in game one, and he never played hard after that. It was surprising that Moscoso came out for game two, actually, because it really seemed that he shouldn’t be there. We’re uncertain of the extent of the injury, but we have to think that his participation in the next two events is in jeopardy, as they happen back to back on the next two weekends.
Beltran beat Samuel Murray in two long games, 15-11, 15-13, in the last quarterfinal of the day.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The semi-finals are at 7:35 and 8:35 PM Saturday, and the final at 12:30 PM Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-4, 15-1
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 5) Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-13
Adam Manilla d. 11) Mario Mercado, 15-8, 15-9
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. Eduardo Garay, 15-6, 15-8
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Alvaro Beltran - 8:35 PM
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Adam Manilla - 7:35 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
After his match, Manilla said he’s “feeling good.” He’s made a commitment to “playing the tour full time.” Manilla has been “working hard” and credited his coach Jim Winterton with helping him improve. He served well against Mercado, and said “drive serve is where it all starts.”
Mercardo was up 8-4 in game one, only to see Manilla score 11 unanswered points to snatch it from him, 15-8. With that momentum, Manilla went up 7-1 in game two - outscoring Mercado 18-1 over that stretch - and never trailed the game. Mercado got within one at 7-6 and 8-7, but Manilla stepped it up again and won game two 15-9.
The top half of the draw is business as usual, as IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will take on 4th seed Alvaro Beltran in the other semi-final. Waselenchuk defeated 8th seed Conrrado Moscoso, 15-4, 15-1, in the quarterfinals. But Moscoso hurt his left knee, when he was down 5-0 in game one, and he never played hard after that. It was surprising that Moscoso came out for game two, actually, because it really seemed that he shouldn’t be there. We’re uncertain of the extent of the injury, but we have to think that his participation in the next two events is in jeopardy, as they happen back to back on the next two weekends.
Beltran beat Samuel Murray in two long games, 15-11, 15-13, in the last quarterfinal of the day.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The semi-finals are at 7:35 and 8:35 PM Saturday, and the final at 12:30 PM Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 8) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-4, 15-1
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 5) Samuel Murray, 15-11, 15-13
Adam Manilla d. 11) Mario Mercado, 15-8, 15-9
7) Daniel De La Rosa d. Eduardo Garay, 15-6, 15-8
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 4) Alvaro Beltran - 8:35 PM
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Adam Manilla - 7:35 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 17, 2020
Big wins for Garay, Manilla & Mercado at 2020 IRT Longhorn Open
The upsets continued Friday night at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2020 Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, as both the #2 and #3 seeds lost in the Round of 16. But IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk took care of business, as he beat 16th seed Andres Acuña in two straight games, 15-3, 15-2. Waselenchuk will play 8th seed Conrrado Moscoso in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon, which will be a replay of this season’s UnitedHealthcare US Open final, as Moscoso defeated Alan Natera, 15-14, 15-9, in the 16s.
But IRT #2 Alejandro Landa bowed out to qualifier Eduardo Garay in three games, 15-6, 12-15, 11-1. Garay will play Daniel De La Rosa in the quarterfinals on Saturday, as De La Rosa beat Javier Estrada, 15-6, 15-4, Friday night.
Adam Manilla was the upset winner over 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 15-6, 15-9, and will play another upset winner in the quarters, as 11th seed Mario Mercado held on to defeat 6th seed Eduardo Portillo in three games, 15-13, 12-15, 11-6.
Fourth seed Alvaro Beltran needed three games, but he was able to fend off Javier Mar, 15-11, 11-15, 11-3. Beltran will play 5th seed Samuel Murray in the quarterfinals, as Murray was a winner over 12th seed David Horn, 15-10, 12-15, 11-6.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM Saturday with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 16) Andres Acuña, 15-3, 15-2
8) Conrrado Moscoso d. Alan Natera, 15-14, 15-9
5) Samuel Murray d. 12) David Horn, 15-10, 12-15, 11-6
4) Alvaro Beltran d. Javier Mar, 15-11, 11-15, 11-3
Adam Manilla d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-6, 15-9
11) Mario Mercado d. 6) Eduardo Portillo, 15-13, 12-15, 11-6
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Javier Estrada, 15-6, 15-4
Eduardo Garay d. 2) Alejandro Landa, 15-6, 12-15, 11-1
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 8) Conrrado Moscoso - 12:15 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Samuel Murray - 1:30 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Adam Manilla - 9:45 AM
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Eduardo Garay - 10:55 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
But IRT #2 Alejandro Landa bowed out to qualifier Eduardo Garay in three games, 15-6, 12-15, 11-1. Garay will play Daniel De La Rosa in the quarterfinals on Saturday, as De La Rosa beat Javier Estrada, 15-6, 15-4, Friday night.
Adam Manilla was the upset winner over 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, 15-6, 15-9, and will play another upset winner in the quarters, as 11th seed Mario Mercado held on to defeat 6th seed Eduardo Portillo in three games, 15-13, 12-15, 11-6.
Fourth seed Alvaro Beltran needed three games, but he was able to fend off Javier Mar, 15-11, 11-15, 11-3. Beltran will play 5th seed Samuel Murray in the quarterfinals, as Murray was a winner over 12th seed David Horn, 15-10, 12-15, 11-6.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM Saturday with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk d. 16) Andres Acuña, 15-3, 15-2
8) Conrrado Moscoso d. Alan Natera, 15-14, 15-9
5) Samuel Murray d. 12) David Horn, 15-10, 12-15, 11-6
4) Alvaro Beltran d. Javier Mar, 15-11, 11-15, 11-3
Adam Manilla d. 3) Andree Parrilla, 15-6, 15-9
11) Mario Mercado d. 6) Eduardo Portillo, 15-13, 12-15, 11-6
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Javier Estrada, 15-6, 15-4
Eduardo Garay d. 2) Alejandro Landa, 15-6, 12-15, 11-1
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 8) Conrrado Moscoso - 12:15 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Samuel Murray - 1:30 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Adam Manilla - 9:45 AM
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Eduardo Garay - 10:55 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
More upsets than not in Round of 32 at 2020 IRT Longhorn Open
No fewer than five (5!) upsets in the Round of 32 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2020 Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, so there will be some different faces in the Round of 16 Friday night. Perhaps equally amazing is that none of the upsets were tie-breakers. The only breaker of the 32s was a win by 11th seed Mario Mercado over Alejandro Amada, 7-15, 15-11, 11-6. Mercado will play Eduardo Portillo in the 16s tonight.
The biggest upset was Alan Natera taking out 9th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-8. Natera will play 8th seed Conrrado Moscoso in the Round of 16. The 10th seed Sebastian Franco lost to Javier Estrada, 15-13, 15-7, so Estrada will play 7th seed Daniel De La Rosa next.
Seeds 13, 14 and 15 also went out. Javier Mar defeated 13th seed Carlos Keller, 15-13, 15-10. Adam Manilla got a forfeit victory against 14th seed Gerardo Franco, and Eduardo Garay took out 15th seed Thomas Carter, 15-12, 15-11. In the Round of 16, Mar will play 4th seed Alvaro Beltran, Manilla plays 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, and Garay will be up against 2nd seed Alejandro Landa.
Also, 12th seed David Horn defeated Shai Manzuri, 15-13, 15-4, and will play 5th seed Samuel Murray in the 16s. Finally, 16th seed Andres Acuña beat Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-9, and will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the Round of 16.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 is Friday at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña d. Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-9
Alan Natera d. 9) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-8
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn d. Shai Manzuri, 15-13, 15-4
Javier Mar d. 13) Carlos Keller, 15-13, 15-10
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
Adam Manilla d. 14) Gerardo Franco, forfeit
11) Mario Mercado v. Alejandro Almada, 7-15, 15-11, 11-6
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Javier Estrada d. 10) Sebastian Franco, 15-13, 15-7
Eduardo Garay d. 15) Thomas Carter, 15-12, 15-11
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 16) Andres Acuña - 8:35 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso v. Alan Natera - 8:35 PM
5) Samuel Murray v. 12) David Horn - 8:35 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. Javier Mar - 8:35 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. Adam Manilla - 7:35 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo d. 11) Mario Mercado - 7:35 PM
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Javier Estrada - 7:35 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. Eduardo Garay - 7:35 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
The biggest upset was Alan Natera taking out 9th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-8. Natera will play 8th seed Conrrado Moscoso in the Round of 16. The 10th seed Sebastian Franco lost to Javier Estrada, 15-13, 15-7, so Estrada will play 7th seed Daniel De La Rosa next.
Seeds 13, 14 and 15 also went out. Javier Mar defeated 13th seed Carlos Keller, 15-13, 15-10. Adam Manilla got a forfeit victory against 14th seed Gerardo Franco, and Eduardo Garay took out 15th seed Thomas Carter, 15-12, 15-11. In the Round of 16, Mar will play 4th seed Alvaro Beltran, Manilla plays 3rd seed Andree Parrilla, and Garay will be up against 2nd seed Alejandro Landa.
Also, 12th seed David Horn defeated Shai Manzuri, 15-13, 15-4, and will play 5th seed Samuel Murray in the 16s. Finally, 16th seed Andres Acuña beat Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-9, and will play IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the Round of 16.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 is Friday at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña d. Robert Collins, 15-7, 15-9
Alan Natera d. 9) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-8
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn d. Shai Manzuri, 15-13, 15-4
Javier Mar d. 13) Carlos Keller, 15-13, 15-10
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
Adam Manilla d. 14) Gerardo Franco, forfeit
11) Mario Mercado v. Alejandro Almada, 7-15, 15-11, 11-6
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
Javier Estrada d. 10) Sebastian Franco, 15-13, 15-7
Eduardo Garay d. 15) Thomas Carter, 15-12, 15-11
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. 16) Andres Acuña - 8:35 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso v. Alan Natera - 8:35 PM
5) Samuel Murray v. 12) David Horn - 8:35 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. Javier Mar - 8:35 PM
3) Andree Parrilla v. Adam Manilla - 7:35 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo d. 11) Mario Mercado - 7:35 PM
7) Daniel De La Rosa v. Javier Estrada - 7:35 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. Eduardo Garay - 7:35 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Round of 64 results from 2020 IRT Longhorn Open
Only one tie-breaker in the 2nd round of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2020 Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas, and it was an odd match, with Adam Manilla coming back from a game down to defeat Miguel Arteaga Guzman, 13-15, 15-0, 11-5. Manilla will play 14th seed Gerardo Franco in the Round of 32 later today, with the winner to face 3rd seed Andree Parrilla Saturday in the Round of 16.
In other action, Robert Collins beat Andrés Gómez, 15-7, 15-10, and will play Andres Acuña in the 32s. Javier Mar will play Carlos Keller in the 32s after defeating Juan Loreto, 15-7, 15-6, this morning.
Also, Eduardo Garay beat Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-1, 15-11, to set up a match with lefty Thomas Carter in the Round of 32, and Javier Estrada defeated Kadim Carrasco, 15-10, 15-13, so he’ll play Sebastian Franco this afternoon.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 32 Friday at 1:55 PM and 3:05 PM, and Round of 16 at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 64 - Friday
Q1 - Robert Collins d. Andrés Gómez, 15-7, 15-10
Q8 - Alan Natera d. Set Cubillos, 15-4, 15-2
Q5 - Shai Manzuri d. Jose Diaz, forfeit
Q4 - Javier Mar d. Juan Loreto, 15-7, 15-6
Q3 - Adam Manilla d. Miguel Arteaga Guzman, 13-15, 15-0, 11-5
Q6 - Alejandro Almada d. Felipe Camacho, forfeit
Q7 - Javier Estrada d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-10, 15-13
Q2 - Eduardo Garay d. Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-1, 15-11
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña v. Robert Collins - 3:05 PM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Alan Natera - 3:05 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn v. Shai Manzuri - 3:05 PM
13) Carlos Keller v. Javier Mar - 3:05 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Adam Manilla - 1:55 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Alejandro Almada - 1:55 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Javier Estrada - 1:55 PM
15) Thomas Carter v. Eduardo Garay - 1:55 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
In other action, Robert Collins beat Andrés Gómez, 15-7, 15-10, and will play Andres Acuña in the 32s. Javier Mar will play Carlos Keller in the 32s after defeating Juan Loreto, 15-7, 15-6, this morning.
Also, Eduardo Garay beat Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-1, 15-11, to set up a match with lefty Thomas Carter in the Round of 32, and Javier Estrada defeated Kadim Carrasco, 15-10, 15-13, so he’ll play Sebastian Franco this afternoon.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 32 Friday at 1:55 PM and 3:05 PM, and Round of 16 at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 64 - Friday
Q1 - Robert Collins d. Andrés Gómez, 15-7, 15-10
Q8 - Alan Natera d. Set Cubillos, 15-4, 15-2
Q5 - Shai Manzuri d. Jose Diaz, forfeit
Q4 - Javier Mar d. Juan Loreto, 15-7, 15-6
Q3 - Adam Manilla d. Miguel Arteaga Guzman, 13-15, 15-0, 11-5
Q6 - Alejandro Almada d. Felipe Camacho, forfeit
Q7 - Javier Estrada d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-10, 15-13
Q2 - Eduardo Garay d. Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-1, 15-11
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña v. Robert Collins - 3:05 PM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Alan Natera - 3:05 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn v. Shai Manzuri - 3:05 PM
13) Carlos Keller v. Javier Mar - 3:05 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Adam Manilla - 1:55 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Alejandro Almada - 1:55 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Javier Estrada - 1:55 PM
15) Thomas Carter v. Eduardo Garay - 1:55 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
More wins without playing than with at 2020 IRT Longhorn Open
The first round of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2020 Longhorn Open began Thursday in Austin, Texas. But it began with a whimper, as there were more matches defaulted than actually played. Moreover, there are two matches on Friday that have already been defaulted. It’s not a good start to 2020 for the IRT, although hard to fault the tournament officials for this.
A few matches did get played, and there was one tie-breaker. Alejandro Almada was an upset winner over Scott McClellan, 15-12, 6-15, 11-9. Veteran Shai Manzuri got the better of Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-8, which was also an upset by the rankings, but Manzuri is definitely in that wily veteran category with numerous caps playing for Argentina at international events, so his victory isn't a real surprise. Finally, Bolivian Kadim Carrasco got the better of Mexican Edson Martinez, 15-5, 15-11.
But Jose Diaz, Felipe Camacho, Alejandro Cardona, Christian Longoria, Ernesto Ochoa and Jordy Alonso all defaulted their matches, and the tournament is worse off without them.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 64 begins Friday morning at 9:45 AM with the Round of 32 Friday at 1:55 PM and 3:05 PM, and Round of 16 at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 128 - Thursday
Robert Collins - BYE
Andrés Gómez d. Christian Longoria, forfeit
Set Cubillos - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Shai Manzuri d. Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-8
Juan Loreto d. Alejandro Cardona, forfeit
Javier Mar - BYE
Adam Manilla - BYE
Miguel Guzman d. Ernesto Ochoa, forfeit
Alejandro Almada d. Scott McClellan, 15-12, 6-15, 11-9
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Kadim Carrasco d. Edson Martinez, 15-5, 15-11
Erick Fernandez d. Jordy Alonso, forfeit
Eduardo Garay - BYE
Round of 64 - Friday
Q1 - Robert Collins v. Andrés Gómez - 10:35 AM
Q8 - Alan Natera v. Set Cubillos - 10:35 AM
Q5 - Shai Manzuri d. Jose Diaz, forfeit
Q4 - Javier Mar v. Juan Loreto - 10:35 AM
Q3 - Adam Manilla v. Miguel Guzman - 9:45 AM
Q6 - Alejandro Almada d. Felipe Camacho, forfeit
Q7 - Javier Estrada v. Kadim Carrasco - 9:45 AM
Q2 - Eduardo Garay v. Erick Fernandez - 9:45 AM
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña v. Q1 - 3:05 PM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Q8 - 3:05 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn v. Shai Manzuri - 3:05 PM
13) Carlos Keller v. Q4 - 3:05 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Q3 - 1:55 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Alejandro Almada - 1:55 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Q7 - 1:55 PM
15) Thomas Carter v. Q2 - 1:55 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
A few matches did get played, and there was one tie-breaker. Alejandro Almada was an upset winner over Scott McClellan, 15-12, 6-15, 11-9. Veteran Shai Manzuri got the better of Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-8, which was also an upset by the rankings, but Manzuri is definitely in that wily veteran category with numerous caps playing for Argentina at international events, so his victory isn't a real surprise. Finally, Bolivian Kadim Carrasco got the better of Mexican Edson Martinez, 15-5, 15-11.
But Jose Diaz, Felipe Camacho, Alejandro Cardona, Christian Longoria, Ernesto Ochoa and Jordy Alonso all defaulted their matches, and the tournament is worse off without them.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 64 begins Friday morning at 9:45 AM with the Round of 32 Friday at 1:55 PM and 3:05 PM, and Round of 16 at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Round of 128 - Thursday
Robert Collins - BYE
Andrés Gómez d. Christian Longoria, forfeit
Set Cubillos - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Shai Manzuri d. Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-8
Juan Loreto d. Alejandro Cardona, forfeit
Javier Mar - BYE
Adam Manilla - BYE
Miguel Guzman d. Ernesto Ochoa, forfeit
Alejandro Almada d. Scott McClellan, 15-12, 6-15, 11-9
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Kadim Carrasco d. Edson Martinez, 15-5, 15-11
Erick Fernandez d. Jordy Alonso, forfeit
Eduardo Garay - BYE
Round of 64 - Friday
Q1 - Robert Collins v. Andrés Gómez - 10:35 AM
Q8 - Alan Natera v. Set Cubillos - 10:35 AM
Q5 - Shai Manzuri d. Jose Diaz, forfeit
Q4 - Javier Mar v. Juan Loreto - 10:35 AM
Q3 - Adam Manilla v. Miguel Guzman - 9:45 AM
Q6 - Alejandro Almada d. Felipe Camacho, forfeit
Q7 - Javier Estrada v. Kadim Carrasco - 9:45 AM
Q2 - Eduardo Garay v. Erick Fernandez - 9:45 AM
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña v. Q1 - 3:05 PM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Q8 - 3:05 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn v. Shai Manzuri - 3:05 PM
13) Carlos Keller v. Q4 - 3:05 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Q3 - 1:55 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Alejandro Almada - 1:55 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Q7 - 1:55 PM
15) Thomas Carter v. Q2 - 1:55 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
2020 IRT Longhorn Open - Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) kicks off 2020 in Austin, Texas with the 2020 Longhorn Open. IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk is an Austin resident, so he’ll be trying to win at home, but 38 players will be trying to prevent that, including IRT #2 Alejandro Landa. However, #3 Rocky Carson won’t be in Austin, as he’s still recovering from the knee surgery he had last month.
The Longhorn Open is a huge event - maybe the largest racquetball event outside of the UnitedHealthcare US Open - with 458 participants overall, including over 48 women, which is great. With that many players the schedule is a bit different from other IRT events, as there is one round of matches Thursday, then three rounds on Friday, with the quarterfinals and semi-finals Saturday and the final on Sunday.
Some of the notable players in qualifying include Alejandro Cardona, Jose Diaz, Javier Mar, Edson Martinez, Adam Manilla, Robert Collins and Felipe Camacho. Cardona and Mar will likely play in the Round of 64, which is a match up worthy of a later round.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. There will be three rounds of matches Thursday starting at 1 PM. The Round of 64 begins Friday morning at 9:45 AM with the Round of 32 Friday at 1:55 PM and 3:05 PM, and Round of 16 at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Robert Collins - BYE
Andrés Gómez v. Christian Longoria - 4 PM
Set Cubillos - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Justus Benson v. Shai Manzuri - 3 PM
Alejandro Cardona v. Juan Loreto - 4 PM
Javier Mar - BYE
Adam Manilla - BYE
Ernesto Ochoa v. Miguel Guzman - 3 PM
Scott McClellan v. Alejandro Almada - 3 PM
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Kadim Carrasco v. Edson Martinez - 3 PM
Erick Fernandez v. Jordy Alonso - 4 PM
Eduardo Garay - BYE
Qualifying Round 2 - Friday
Q1 - Robert Collins v. Andrés Gómez or Christian Longoria - 10:35 AM
Q8 - Alan Natera v. Set Cubillos - 10:35 AM
Q5 - Jose Diaz v. Justus Benson or Shai Manzuri - 10:35 AM
Q4 - Javier Mar v. Alejandro Cardona or Juan Loreto - 10:35 AM
Q3 - Adam Manilla v. Ernesto Ochoa or Miguel Guzman - 9:45 AM
Q6 - Felipe Camacho v. Scott McClellan or Alejandro Almada - 9:45 AM
Q7 - Javier Estrada v. Kadim Carrasco or Edson Martinez - 9:45 AM
Q2 - Eduardo Garay v. Erick Fernandez or Jordy Alonso - 9:45 AM
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña v. Q1 - 3:05 PM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Q8 - 3:05 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn v. Q5 - 3:05 PM
13) Carlos Keller v. Q4 - 3:05 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Q3 - 1:55 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Q6 - 1:55 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Q7 - 1:55 PM
15) Thomas Carter v. Q2 - 1:55 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
The Longhorn Open is a huge event - maybe the largest racquetball event outside of the UnitedHealthcare US Open - with 458 participants overall, including over 48 women, which is great. With that many players the schedule is a bit different from other IRT events, as there is one round of matches Thursday, then three rounds on Friday, with the quarterfinals and semi-finals Saturday and the final on Sunday.
Some of the notable players in qualifying include Alejandro Cardona, Jose Diaz, Javier Mar, Edson Martinez, Adam Manilla, Robert Collins and Felipe Camacho. Cardona and Mar will likely play in the Round of 64, which is a match up worthy of a later round.
You can follow the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. There will be three rounds of matches Thursday starting at 1 PM. The Round of 64 begins Friday morning at 9:45 AM with the Round of 32 Friday at 1:55 PM and 3:05 PM, and Round of 16 at 7:35 and 8:35 PM. On Saturday, the quarterfinals begin at 9:45 AM with the semi-finals at 7:35 and 8:35 PM, and the final at noon Sunday. All times Central.
2020 IRT Longhorn Open, January 16-19, 2020
Austin, Texas
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Robert Collins - BYE
Andrés Gómez v. Christian Longoria - 4 PM
Set Cubillos - BYE
Alan Natera - BYE
Jose Diaz - BYE
Justus Benson v. Shai Manzuri - 3 PM
Alejandro Cardona v. Juan Loreto - 4 PM
Javier Mar - BYE
Adam Manilla - BYE
Ernesto Ochoa v. Miguel Guzman - 3 PM
Scott McClellan v. Alejandro Almada - 3 PM
Felipe Camacho - BYE
Javier Estrada - BYE
Kadim Carrasco v. Edson Martinez - 3 PM
Erick Fernandez v. Jordy Alonso - 4 PM
Eduardo Garay - BYE
Qualifying Round 2 - Friday
Q1 - Robert Collins v. Andrés Gómez or Christian Longoria - 10:35 AM
Q8 - Alan Natera v. Set Cubillos - 10:35 AM
Q5 - Jose Diaz v. Justus Benson or Shai Manzuri - 10:35 AM
Q4 - Javier Mar v. Alejandro Cardona or Juan Loreto - 10:35 AM
Q3 - Adam Manilla v. Ernesto Ochoa or Miguel Guzman - 9:45 AM
Q6 - Felipe Camacho v. Scott McClellan or Alejandro Almada - 9:45 AM
Q7 - Javier Estrada v. Kadim Carrasco or Edson Martinez - 9:45 AM
Q2 - Eduardo Garay v. Erick Fernandez or Jordy Alonso - 9:45 AM
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
16) Andres Acuña v. Q1 - 3:05 PM
9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Q8 - 3:05 PM
8) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
5) Samuel Murray - BYE
12) David Horn v. Q5 - 3:05 PM
13) Carlos Keller v. Q4 - 3:05 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran - BYE
3) Andree Parrilla - BYE
14) Gerardo Franco v. Q3 - 1:55 PM
11) Mario Mercado v. Q6 - 1:55 PM
6) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
7) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Q7 - 1:55 PM
15) Thomas Carter v. Q2 - 1:55 PM
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, January 13, 2020
Happy 37th Birthday Jack Huczek!
We’ve wished you Happy Birthday before - twice, in fact. The first time, back in 2009, we said “in years to come, when people talk about the best players of all time, they will have to consider you in the discussion.” The second time in 2011, we said “we’re hoping that we’ll be celebrating [your] career … for some years to come.” Little did we know that there would only be a few months left before you retired.
Because it’s almost a decade since you played, we feel like you’ve been almost forgotten. However, what we’re thinking on your birthday is “why aren’t you in the Hall of Fame?”
You won 29 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events (5th most) and was in 63 IRT finals total (6th most). Your the last teenager to win on tour, doing so in 2002, when he was 19. You were ranked in the top 5 for 10 consecutive seasons (2002-2011), including a year at #1 in 2007 and five years at #2.
You were also an outstanding player for the USA, representing it 10 times, winning 7 gold medals in Men’s Singles. You were the Men’s Singles World Champion at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships three times: 2002, 2004, 2006, as well as Pan American Games Champion in 2003 and World Games Champion in 2009.
You earned your spot on Team USA via the USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships. You played in 11 National Singles Championships and won four times, and were a runner up five times and never failed to reach the semi-finals. You won six National Doubles Championships (with Rocky Carson as your partner), and were runner up once (with Eric Muller).
You retired in May 2011, and if there was a five year period prior to Hall of Fame induction, then you would have been in four years ago. But the USAR Hall of Fame nomination procedures state “Nominees must be forty years old as of May 1st of the year following their nomination” (nominations are to made the year prior to induction). You were just 28 when you retired in 2011, so you don’t meet the Hall’s age requirement.
However, the nomination procedures also state “Any age requirement, or waiting period, may be removed by approval of the Hall of Fame Committee and the USAR Board of Directors.” Without such approval, you won’t be eligible for induction until 2023. Way too late in The Racquetball Blog’s opinion.
There is some precedence for inducting people before the age of 40, as Cliff Swain was inducted in 2003, when he was 37, and Marty Hogan went in at 39. Conversely, Michelle Gould, who retired in 1999, didn’t get in until 2012, and - like you - she should have gone in sooner.
Last month Pro Racquetball Stats wrote a piece advocating for Jason Mannino to be in the USAR Hall of Fame. Mannino is clearly a Hall of Fame caliber player and did much off court to help the game through running numerous racquetball clinics and overseeing the International Racquetball Tour for several years. We'd be happy to see Mannino inducted into the USAR Hall of Fame.
But there’s someone who should be in the USAR Hall of Fame already, and that’s Jack Huczek.
Follow the bouncing ball…..
Because it’s almost a decade since you played, we feel like you’ve been almost forgotten. However, what we’re thinking on your birthday is “why aren’t you in the Hall of Fame?”
You won 29 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events (5th most) and was in 63 IRT finals total (6th most). Your the last teenager to win on tour, doing so in 2002, when he was 19. You were ranked in the top 5 for 10 consecutive seasons (2002-2011), including a year at #1 in 2007 and five years at #2.
You were also an outstanding player for the USA, representing it 10 times, winning 7 gold medals in Men’s Singles. You were the Men’s Singles World Champion at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships three times: 2002, 2004, 2006, as well as Pan American Games Champion in 2003 and World Games Champion in 2009.
You earned your spot on Team USA via the USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships. You played in 11 National Singles Championships and won four times, and were a runner up five times and never failed to reach the semi-finals. You won six National Doubles Championships (with Rocky Carson as your partner), and were runner up once (with Eric Muller).
You retired in May 2011, and if there was a five year period prior to Hall of Fame induction, then you would have been in four years ago. But the USAR Hall of Fame nomination procedures state “Nominees must be forty years old as of May 1st of the year following their nomination” (nominations are to made the year prior to induction). You were just 28 when you retired in 2011, so you don’t meet the Hall’s age requirement.
However, the nomination procedures also state “Any age requirement, or waiting period, may be removed by approval of the Hall of Fame Committee and the USAR Board of Directors.” Without such approval, you won’t be eligible for induction until 2023. Way too late in The Racquetball Blog’s opinion.
There is some precedence for inducting people before the age of 40, as Cliff Swain was inducted in 2003, when he was 37, and Marty Hogan went in at 39. Conversely, Michelle Gould, who retired in 1999, didn’t get in until 2012, and - like you - she should have gone in sooner.
Last month Pro Racquetball Stats wrote a piece advocating for Jason Mannino to be in the USAR Hall of Fame. Mannino is clearly a Hall of Fame caliber player and did much off court to help the game through running numerous racquetball clinics and overseeing the International Racquetball Tour for several years. We'd be happy to see Mannino inducted into the USAR Hall of Fame.
But there’s someone who should be in the USAR Hall of Fame already, and that’s Jack Huczek.
Follow the bouncing ball…..
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Longoria wins twice at 2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), defeated LPRT #2 Maria Jose Vargas on Sunday in the final of the LPRT Florida Pro-Am in Davie, Florida, 15-6, 15-12. Longoria has won five of the six LPRT events this season, and defeated Vargas in four of the finals. Her only loss was to Vargas in Virginia Beach.
Longoria also got the better of Vargas in doubles, albeit narrowly, as she and Alexandra Herrera defeated Vargas and Natalia Mendez, 15-14, 15-14. Longoria’s won four of the six LPRT doubles finals this season. Perhaps ironically, Longoria’s only losses have been to Herrera, when the two were playing with their usual partners. Longoria usually plays with Samantha Salas and Herrera with Montserrat Mejia, but neither Salas or Mejia were in Florida, so Longoria and Herrera teamed up.
In the singles final, Longoria and Vargas were close early in game one, but after being tied at 5-5, Longoria outscored Vargas 10-1 to finish off the game. She carried that momentum over into game two, as Longoria took an 8-3 lead.
But Vargas battled back, and actually led late in the game at 12-11. But Longoria is #1 for a reason - well, many reasons really, but one of them is her ability to come through in the clutch, and she did it again Sunday. Longoria got the last four points of game two to win it and the match in two straight games.
Clutch play was also evident in the doubles final, as Longoria and Herrera had to fight off game point in each game in order to win the match over Vargas and Mendez.
The LPRT will be back in action later this month, when they travel to Greenville, South Carolina for the Sweet Caroline Open, January 24-26. If you missed any of the Florida action, check out the LPRT YouTube channel, where the matches are archived.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, 15-6, 15-12
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-14, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria also got the better of Vargas in doubles, albeit narrowly, as she and Alexandra Herrera defeated Vargas and Natalia Mendez, 15-14, 15-14. Longoria’s won four of the six LPRT doubles finals this season. Perhaps ironically, Longoria’s only losses have been to Herrera, when the two were playing with their usual partners. Longoria usually plays with Samantha Salas and Herrera with Montserrat Mejia, but neither Salas or Mejia were in Florida, so Longoria and Herrera teamed up.
In the singles final, Longoria and Vargas were close early in game one, but after being tied at 5-5, Longoria outscored Vargas 10-1 to finish off the game. She carried that momentum over into game two, as Longoria took an 8-3 lead.
But Vargas battled back, and actually led late in the game at 12-11. But Longoria is #1 for a reason - well, many reasons really, but one of them is her ability to come through in the clutch, and she did it again Sunday. Longoria got the last four points of game two to win it and the match in two straight games.
Clutch play was also evident in the doubles final, as Longoria and Herrera had to fight off game point in each game in order to win the match over Vargas and Mendez.
The LPRT will be back in action later this month, when they travel to Greenville, South Carolina for the Sweet Caroline Open, January 24-26. If you missed any of the Florida action, check out the LPRT YouTube channel, where the matches are archived.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, 15-6, 15-12
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-14, 15-14
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Longoria & Vargas opponents twice on Sunday
For the fifth time this Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season, Paola Longoria - the LPRT’s #1 player - will face off with Maria Jose Vargas - the LPRT’s #2 player in a tournament final, as they both reached the final of the Florida Pro-Am in Davie, Florida with semi-final wins on Saturday. Mexican Longoria ended the great run of Bolivian teenager Valeria Centellas in one semi-final, winning 15-5, 15-8, while Argentina's Vargas beat Mexico's Alexandra Herrera, 15-5, 15-14, in the other semi.
Centellas was seeded 11th, and upset 4th seed Natalia Mendez of Argentina in the quarters, 15-5, 15-12, to set up the semi-final showdown with Longoria, who defeated fellow Mexican Jessica Parrilla in the quarters, 15-6, 15-9.
Vargas beat 7th seed Cristina Amaya of Colombia, 15-8, 15-13, in the quarters, while Herrera was a straight game winner over the USA's Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-6, 15-13.
Longoria and Vargas will also face off in the doubles final Sunday. Longoria and Herrera beat Bailey Lawrence and Carla Muñoz, 15-9, 15-5, in one semi-final Saturday, while Vargas and Mendez needed three games to get past Nancy Enriquez and Parrilla, 15-6, 10-15, 11-6.
Check out the finals live from Florida via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website. They will begin at 11 AM Sunday with the singles final, and the doubles final will follow at noon. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Jessica Parrilla, 15-6, 15-9
12) Valeria Centellas d. 4) Natalia Mendez, 15-5, 15-12
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-6, 15-13
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Cristina Amaya, 15-8, 15-13
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 12) Valeria Centellas, 15-5, 15-8
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 15-5, 15-14
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 2) Maria Jose Vargas - 11 AM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz, 15-9, 15-5
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla, 15-6, 10-15, 11-6
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Centellas was seeded 11th, and upset 4th seed Natalia Mendez of Argentina in the quarters, 15-5, 15-12, to set up the semi-final showdown with Longoria, who defeated fellow Mexican Jessica Parrilla in the quarters, 15-6, 15-9.
Vargas beat 7th seed Cristina Amaya of Colombia, 15-8, 15-13, in the quarters, while Herrera was a straight game winner over the USA's Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-6, 15-13.
Longoria and Vargas will also face off in the doubles final Sunday. Longoria and Herrera beat Bailey Lawrence and Carla Muñoz, 15-9, 15-5, in one semi-final Saturday, while Vargas and Mendez needed three games to get past Nancy Enriquez and Parrilla, 15-6, 10-15, 11-6.
Check out the finals live from Florida via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website. They will begin at 11 AM Sunday with the singles final, and the doubles final will follow at noon. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Jessica Parrilla, 15-6, 15-9
12) Valeria Centellas d. 4) Natalia Mendez, 15-5, 15-12
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-6, 15-13
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Cristina Amaya, 15-8, 15-13
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 12) Valeria Centellas, 15-5, 15-8
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 15-5, 15-14
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 2) Maria Jose Vargas - 11 AM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera d. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz, 15-9, 15-5
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla, 15-6, 10-15, 11-6
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, January 10, 2020
Upset, upset, upset at the 2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am Friday
The top four seeds are through to the quarterfinals at the 2020 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Florida Pro-Am in Davie, Florida, but there were two upsets in the Round of 16. Bolivian teenager Valeria Centellas had the biggest one, as she defeated 5th seeded USA veteran Rhonda Rajsich, 15-6, 2-15, 11-7. She’ll face 4th seed Natalia Mendez in the quarters, as Mendez beat Micaela Meneses, 15-6, 15-8.
USA’s Kelani Bailey Lawrence got the other upset, as she beat 6th seed Nancy Enriquez of Mexico in two close games, 15-13, 15-14. Bailey Lawrence will play 4th seed Alexandra Herrera in the quarterfinals Saturday. Herrera defeated Laura Brandt, 15-1, 15-2, in the 16s.
Also, 7th seed Cristina Amaya of Colombia held off a charge by 10th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala to win in three games, 15-8, 10-15, 11-8. Amaya will face LPRT #2 Maria Jose Vargas in the quarters, as Vargas beat 15-1, 15-4.
Finally, 8th seed Jessica Parrilla defeated 9th seed Carla Muñoz, 15-13, 15-8, in the Round of 16, and will play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the quarterfinals Saturday. Longoria had a walkover win against Joselin Arevalo.
In doubles, Bailey Lawrence was also an upset winner, as she and Muñoz were seeded 5th but came back to defeat 4th seeds Amaya and Rajsich, 5-15, 15-5, 11-8, in the quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal was almost an upset also, but 3rd seeds Enriquez and Parrilla came back from dropping the first game to beat 6th seeds Meneses and Rodriguez, 4-15, 15-7, 11-2.
Check out the action live from Florida via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The quarterfinals are Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday night at 5 and 6 PM with the semi-finals Saturday night at 7 and 8 PM. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Joselin Arevalo, forfeit
8) Jessica Parrilla d. 9) Carla Muñoz, 15-13, 15-8
12) Valeria Centellas d. 5) Rhonda Rajsich, 15-6, 2-15, 11-7
4) Natalia Mendez d. 13) Micela Mensese, 15-6, 15-8
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 14) Laura Brandt, 15-1, 15-2
11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 6) Nancy Enriquez, 15-13, 15-14
7) Cristina Amaya d. 10) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-8, 10-15, 11-8
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 15) Graci Wargo, 15-1, 15-4
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Jessica Parrilla - Noon
4) Natalia Mendez v. 12) Valeria Centellas - Noon
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 11 AM
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 7) Cristina Amaya - 11 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Rhonda Rajsich, 5-15, 15-5, 11-8
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla d. 6) Micaela Meneses & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 4-15, 15-7, 11-2
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz - 8 PM
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
USA’s Kelani Bailey Lawrence got the other upset, as she beat 6th seed Nancy Enriquez of Mexico in two close games, 15-13, 15-14. Bailey Lawrence will play 4th seed Alexandra Herrera in the quarterfinals Saturday. Herrera defeated Laura Brandt, 15-1, 15-2, in the 16s.
Also, 7th seed Cristina Amaya of Colombia held off a charge by 10th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala to win in three games, 15-8, 10-15, 11-8. Amaya will face LPRT #2 Maria Jose Vargas in the quarters, as Vargas beat 15-1, 15-4.
Finally, 8th seed Jessica Parrilla defeated 9th seed Carla Muñoz, 15-13, 15-8, in the Round of 16, and will play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the quarterfinals Saturday. Longoria had a walkover win against Joselin Arevalo.
In doubles, Bailey Lawrence was also an upset winner, as she and Muñoz were seeded 5th but came back to defeat 4th seeds Amaya and Rajsich, 5-15, 15-5, 11-8, in the quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal was almost an upset also, but 3rd seeds Enriquez and Parrilla came back from dropping the first game to beat 6th seeds Meneses and Rodriguez, 4-15, 15-7, 11-2.
Check out the action live from Florida via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The quarterfinals are Saturday at 11 AM and noon with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday night at 5 and 6 PM with the semi-finals Saturday night at 7 and 8 PM. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Joselin Arevalo, forfeit
8) Jessica Parrilla d. 9) Carla Muñoz, 15-13, 15-8
12) Valeria Centellas d. 5) Rhonda Rajsich, 15-6, 2-15, 11-7
4) Natalia Mendez d. 13) Micela Mensese, 15-6, 15-8
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 14) Laura Brandt, 15-1, 15-2
11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 6) Nancy Enriquez, 15-13, 15-14
7) Cristina Amaya d. 10) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-8, 10-15, 11-8
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 15) Graci Wargo, 15-1, 15-4
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Jessica Parrilla - Noon
4) Natalia Mendez v. 12) Valeria Centellas - Noon
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 11 AM
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 7) Cristina Amaya - 11 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Rhonda Rajsich, 5-15, 15-5, 11-8
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla d. 6) Micaela Meneses & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 4-15, 15-7, 11-2
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera v. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz - 8 PM
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am - Preview
The 2019-20 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season continues today with the LPRT Florida Pro-Am in Davie, Florida. The draw is one of the smaller ones in awhile, but the top players are there, including LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and #2 Maria Jose Vargas. Longoria and Vargas have faced off in the 4 of the 5 finals this season.
Perhaps their most remarkable match was the most recent, as Longoria defeated Vargas in a tie-breaker at the LPRT Christmas Classic last month. Longoria had won the first game decisively, but Vargas came back to win game two, and was up 6-0 in the breaker. But Longoria proved her mettle, as she fought back to win the breaker, 11-8.
We’d like some more of that, please.
Hopefully, that competitiveness will be on display throughout the weekend in Florida. It could start in the Round of 16, when 8th seed Jessica Parrilla takes on 9th seed Carla Muñoz. Parrilla is working her way back up the rankings after a serious knee injury that kept her out for over a year, while Muñoz has been playing some of the best racquetball of her career of late.
Also in the 16s, USA veteran Rhonda Rajsich takes on Bolivian teenager Valeria Centellas, who’s a current International Racquetball Federation (IRF)World Champion in Women’s Doubles (with Yazmine Sabja) and IRF World Junior Champion in Girl’s U18 Doubles (with Angelica Barrios). Sixth seed Nancy Enriquez of Mexico takes on the USA’s Kelani Bailey Lawrence, and 7th seed Cristina Amaya from Colombia is up against 10th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala.
Check out the action live from Florida via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The Round of 16 begins at 1 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday at 11 AM and noon, and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday night at 5 and 6 PM with the semi-finals Saturday night at 7 and 8 PM. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Joselin Arevalo - 4 PM
8) Jessica Parrilla v. 9) Carla Muñoz - 4 PM
5) Rhonda Rajsich v. 12) Valeria Centellas - 1 PM
4) Natalia Mendez v. 13) Micela Mensese - 1 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 14) Laura Brandt - 2 PM
6) Nancy Enriquez v. 11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 2 PM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 10) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 3 PM
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 15) Graci Wargo - 3 PM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4) Cristina Amaya & Rhonda Rajsich v. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla v. 6) Micaela Meneses & Maria Renee Rodriguez - 5 PM
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Perhaps their most remarkable match was the most recent, as Longoria defeated Vargas in a tie-breaker at the LPRT Christmas Classic last month. Longoria had won the first game decisively, but Vargas came back to win game two, and was up 6-0 in the breaker. But Longoria proved her mettle, as she fought back to win the breaker, 11-8.
We’d like some more of that, please.
Hopefully, that competitiveness will be on display throughout the weekend in Florida. It could start in the Round of 16, when 8th seed Jessica Parrilla takes on 9th seed Carla Muñoz. Parrilla is working her way back up the rankings after a serious knee injury that kept her out for over a year, while Muñoz has been playing some of the best racquetball of her career of late.
Also in the 16s, USA veteran Rhonda Rajsich takes on Bolivian teenager Valeria Centellas, who’s a current International Racquetball Federation (IRF)World Champion in Women’s Doubles (with Yazmine Sabja) and IRF World Junior Champion in Girl’s U18 Doubles (with Angelica Barrios). Sixth seed Nancy Enriquez of Mexico takes on the USA’s Kelani Bailey Lawrence, and 7th seed Cristina Amaya from Colombia is up against 10th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala.
Check out the action live from Florida via the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT website (click “LPRT Live” at the top of the page). The Round of 16 begins at 1 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday at 11 AM and noon, and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The doubles quarterfinals are Friday night at 5 and 6 PM with the semi-finals Saturday night at 7 and 8 PM. The singles final will be 11 AM Sunday with the doubles final to follow at noon. All times eastern.
2020 LPRT Florida Pro-Am, January 10-12, 2020
Davie, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Joselin Arevalo - 4 PM
8) Jessica Parrilla v. 9) Carla Muñoz - 4 PM
5) Rhonda Rajsich v. 12) Valeria Centellas - 1 PM
4) Natalia Mendez v. 13) Micela Mensese - 1 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 14) Laura Brandt - 2 PM
6) Nancy Enriquez v. 11) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 2 PM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 10) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 3 PM
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 15) Graci Wargo - 3 PM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4) Cristina Amaya & Rhonda Rajsich v. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
3) Nancy Enriquez & Jessica Parrilla v. 6) Micaela Meneses & Maria Renee Rodriguez - 5 PM
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
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