Eduardo Portillo, the 8th seed, knocked off the #1 seed Alejandro Landa, 15-3, 15-4, in the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) quarterfinals at the 2021 World Singles and Doubles Open Championships in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, just outside Denver. The win puts Portillo into the semi-finals for the fourth time in his career. He’ll face 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa, who was a winner over 5th seed Andree Parrilla, 15-10, 15-10.
Carlos Keller’s run in Colorado continues, as he defeated Mario Mercado, 15-13, 14-15, 11-6, in the quarterfinals. The win sets up an all Bolivian semi-final, as 7th seed Conrrado Moscoso upset 2nd seed Rocky Carson, 15-4, 13-15, 11-9.
After being dominated in game one, Carson led for most of game two. Then Moscoso drew level at 10-10, and when he took the lead at 13-12, it looked like no breaker would be needed.
However, the veteran Carson held his nerve, and fought back to force that breaker with a backhand pinch shot. Then in the breaker, Carson jumped out to a 7-0 lead, and looked like he was going to complete the reversal of fortune.
But the breaker was a very long game. It took Carson 19 rallies to get to 7-0. Moscoso only got on the board on the 21st rally. Eleven more rallies only produced four more points and Carson ahead 9-2.
There were 23 more rallies in the game, including eight straight sideouts at 9-3, and none produced a point for Carson. The game developed slowly, but the end came quickly, as Moscoso scored 7 points on 9 rallies to win it. That run included two drive serve aces to Carson’s backhand.
Although lower seeded than Carson, Moscoso is actually undefeated against the USA veteran with Saturday’s victory his fourth over the US veteran.
The IRT semi-finals will be 2:15 and 3:15 PM Saturday and the final at 12:15 PM Sunday. All times are Mountain. Look for the action via the IRT YouTube channel., as well as its Facebook page.
World Singles and Doubles Open Racquetball Championships
August 12-15, 2021 - Denver, Colorado
IRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
8) Eduardo Portillo d. 1) Alejandro Landa, 15-3, 15-4
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Andree Parrilla, 15-10, 15-10
19) Carlos Keller d. 11) Mario Mercado, 15-13, 14-15, 11-6
7) Conrrado Moscoso d. 2) Rocky Carson, 15-4, 13-15, 11-9
IRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Eduardo Portillo - 3:15 PM
7) Conrrado Moscoso v. 19) Carlos Keller - 2:15 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
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