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….