Andrés Acuña had the big upset of the quarterfinals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 39th Annual Papa Nicholas Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois, Friday night, as he came back from a game down to defeat IRT #2 Rodrigo Montoya, 4-15, 15-12, 11-9. The win sets up a showdown with former IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, as 6th seeded Waselenchuk broke Jhonatan Flores’s Cinderella run throught the draw, although he needed three games to break it, winning 15-3, 13-15, 11-7.
On the top side of the draw, IRT #1 Conrrado Moscoso beat 8th seed Alan Natera in two straight games, 15-6, 15-11, and will play 4th seed Andree Parrilla, who eked out a win over his doubles partner this weekend, the 5th seed Adam Manilla, 15-9, 5-15, 11-7.
We had heard that Flores was the real deal, and he showed as much against Waselenchuk. Waselenchuk was dominant in game one, as Flores didn’t score a point until Waselenchuk had eight. But in game two, Flores’s skill showed through, as he was up 10-7, and despite Waselenchuk tying the game at 13-13, Flores held on to win it 15-13, and force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Waselenchuk got the first two points, but then Flores got the next four to lead 4-2. They were tied at 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6. Waselenchuk then took the lead at 7-6 with a forehand cross court shot. Flores did keep it close, as he got within one at 8-7.
But Waselenchuk got to game point at 10-7 on a drive serve ace to the left side - Flores’s backhand side. He won it when Flores skipped a backhand serve return off another drive serve to the left side.
Despite the loss, Flores was very impressive. He aced Waselenchuk a few times in the match, and made great backhand pinch shot winners off Waselenchuk cross courts to the left side. He has a high level of skill at just 18 years old, and should be a considered a threat to beat anyone he faces.
The singles semi-finals will be Saturday at 6 and 7 PM with the final Sunday at 11 AM. The doubles semis are at noon and 1 PM on Saturday with the final at noon Sunday. You can see them via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. All times Central.
39th Annual Papa Nicholas IRT Shamrock Shootout
Lombard, Illinois - March 14-17, 2024
IRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Conrrado Moscoso d. 8) Alan Natera, 15-6, 15-11
4) Andree Parrilla d. 5) Adam Manilla, 15-9, 5-15, 11-7
6) Kane Waselenchuk d. Jhonatan Flores, 15-3, 13-15, 11-7
7) Andrés Acuña d. 2) Rodrigo Montoya, 4-15, 15-12, 11-9
IRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Conrrado Moscoso v. 4) Andree Parrilla - 7 PM
6) Kane Waselenchuk v. 7) Andrés Acuña - 6 PM
IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Adam Manilla & Andree Parrilla v. 4) Andrés Acuña & Alan Natera - 1 PM
2) Rodrigo Montoya & Erick Trujillo v. 3) Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
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