Longoria defeats Barrios to reach final at The World Games 2022

Paola Longoria of Mexico will have a chance to win a gold at The World Games for a third time at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, as she defeated 5th seed Angelica Barrios of Bolivia in the semi-finals Wednesday, 15-12, 15-12, 15-9. Longoria first won gold at The World Games 2009 and then again in 2013, which were the last two times racquetball has been in The World Games.

Longoria’s opponent in the final will be a familiar one: Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala, who defeated Mexican Samantha Salas, 12-15, 15-5, 15-11, 15-7, in the other semi-final Wednesday morning. These two players have met in two Women’s Singles finals at the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, and they spilt those finals: Longoria winning in 2016 and Martinez winning in 2018.

On the men’s side, Rodrigo Montoya came out on top of a Mexican showdown with Andree Parrilla, 15-9, 15-13, 11-15, 15-9. Montoya will face Costa Rican Andres Acuña, who’s outlasted Mario Mercado of Colombia, 14-15, 15-13, 15-10, 15-10.

Matches descriptions to follow later.

Today’s matches are being broadcast by the rights holders, which in the USA means CBS Sports. So, look to their website and channels for coverage. Also, it might be on the Olympic channel.

2022 World Games - Birmingham, Alabama

Men’s Singles - Semi-finals - Wednesday July 13

8) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. 5) Andree Parrilla (Mexico), 15-9, 15-13, 11-15, 15-9
2) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 3) Mario Mercado (Colombia), 14-15, 15-13, 15-10, 15-10

Men’s Singles - Gold medal final - Wednesday July 13

2) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. 8) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - 5 PM

Men’s Singles - Bronze medal final - Wednesday July 13

3) Mario Mercado (Colombia) v. 5) Andree Parrilla (Mexico) - 3 PM

Women’s Singles - Semi-finals - Wednesday July 13

1) Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 5) Angelica Barrios (Bolivia), 15-12, 15-12, 15-9
6) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. 7) Samantha Salas (Mexico), 12-15, 15-5, 15-11, 15-7

Women’s Singles - Gold medal final - Wednesday July 13

1) Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 6) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 4 PM

Women’s Singles - Bronze medal final - Wednesday July 13

5) Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. 7) Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 2 PM

 Follow the bouncing ball….