Franco upsets Murray in IRT 16s at 2021 Arizona Open

Sebastian Franco, the 14th seed, had the biggest of three upsets in the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Round of 16 at the 2021 Arizona Open in Tempe, Arizona, as he defeated 3rd seed Samuel Murray, 15-14, 15-11. Twelfth seed Adam Manilla upset 5th seed Eduardo Portillo, 15-6, 10-15, 11-9, and 10th seed Mario Mercado got a win over 7th seed Alvaro Beltran when Beltran had to retire due to injury with Mercado up, 10-1 in game two, after winning game one 15-5. Franco’s win puts him in the quarterfinals against Rocky Carson, who beat Mauricio Zelada, 15-0, 15-6, and Manilla plays 4th seed Andree Parrilla, a winner over Kadim Carrasco, 15-6, 15-10.

IRT #1 Daniel De La Rosa won in two games, defeating Sebastian Fernandez, 15-11, 15-13, but 2nd seed Alejandro Landa had to come back to defeat Andres Acuña, 7-15, 15-6, 11-1. In the quarterfinals, De La Rosa will play Jake Bredenbeck, who was a winner over Carlos Keller, 15-12, 15-7, and Landa will take on Mercado.

The IRT quarterfinals will be Saturday at noon and 1 PM. The semi-finals will be 5 and 6 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.

Arizona Open Racquetball Championships
November 11-14, 2021 - Tempe, Arizona

IRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa d. 16) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-11, 15-13
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 9) Carlos Keller, 15-12, 15-7

12) Adam Manilla d. 5) Eduardo Portillo, 15-6, 10-15, 11-9
4) Andree Parrilla d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-6, 15-10

14) Sebastian Franco d. 3) Samuel Murray, 15-14, 15-11
6) Rocky Carson d. Mauricio Zelada, 15-0, 15-6

10) Mario Mercado d. 7) Alvaro Beltran, 15-5, 10-1, forfeit injury
2) Alejandro Landa d. 15) Andres Acuña, 7-15, 15-6, 11-1

IRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Saturday

1) Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Jake Bredenbeck - 1 PM
4) Andree Parrilla v. 12) Adam Manilla - 1 PM

6) Rocky Carson v. 14) Sebastian Franco - Noon
2) Alejandro Landa v. 10) Mario Mercado - Noon

Follow the bouncing ball….