Moscoso defends & Mejia wins 1st at 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships

Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia successfully defended the Men’s Singles title he won a year ago by defeating team-mate Carlos Keller, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9, in the final at the 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala on Saturday. The win is Moscoso’s fourth Pan Am title overall, as he won Men’s Doubles in 2019 and Mixed Doubles this year.

Montserrat Mejia won the Women’s Singles Pan Am Championship for the first time by defeating former Pan American Champion María José Vargas of Argentina, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9. The win continues the great run of form that Mejia has been on, as she’s won the last four events on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour. Mejia is the second Mexican to win Women’s Singles after Paola Longoria.

If you missed the finals, then check them out on the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel. For draws, look to the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website or the R2 Sports site.

XXXIV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 1-8, 2023

Women’s Open - Final - Saturday

6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 4) María José Vargas (Argentina), 11-8, 11-6, 11-9

Women’s Open - 3rd place - Saturday

2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica), forfeit

Women’s Open - 5-8 Playoff - Saturday

5th - Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 11-6, 11-4, 11-8

7th - Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), forfeit

Women’s Open - 9-12 playoff - Saturday

9th - Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-8, 11-6, 11-8

11th - Erika Manilla (USA) or Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8

Women’s Open -13-16 playoff - Saturday

13th - Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 5-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8

15th - Rhonda Rajsich (USA) or Anna Aguilar (Guatemala), 11-13, 11-9, 11-5, 11-4

Women’s Open - 17-20 places

17th - Juliette Parent (Canada)
18th - Michèle Morissette (Canada)
19th - Paula Mansilla (Chile)
20th - Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia)

Men's Singles - Final - Saturday

3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 11-8, 11-9, 11-9

Men's Singles - 3rd place - Saturday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Diego Garcia (Argentina), forfeit

Men's Singles - 5-8 playoff - Saturday

5th - Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico), forfeit

7th - Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Trevor Webb (Canada), 11-9, 11-5, 12-10

Men's Singles - 9-12 Playoff - Saturday

Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 11-5, 8-11, 4-11, 11-4, 11-4

Thomas Carter (USA) or Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 11-3, 11-1, 11-1

Men's Singles - 13-16 Playoff - Saturday

13th - Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8

15th - Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - injury forfeit

Men's Singles - 17-24 places

17th - Set Cubillos (Colombia)
18th - Maikel Moyet (Cuba)
19th - Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)
20th Diego Gatica (Chile)

21st - Carlos Medrano (Honduras)
22nd - Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico)
23rd - Rafael Gatica (Chile)
24th - Yandy Espinosa (Cuba)

Follow the bouncing ball….

All Bolivia men’s final at 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The Men’s Singles final at the 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala on Saturday will be an all-Bolivia affair, as two time Pan American Champion and top seed Carlos Keller takes on team-mate and current Pan American Champion Conrrado Moscoso.

The Women’s Singles final will be former Pan American Champion María José Vargas of Argentina against Mexican Montserrat Mejia, the hottest player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour, having won the last four LPRT events.

In the men’s semi-finals, Moscoso, the 3rd seed, upset 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck of the USA, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3, while Keller had an epic battle with 13th seed Diego Garcia of Argentina that went the distance and then some, as Keller came back from a game down twice to win it, 5-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8, 21-19. The 21-19 fifth game is the longest game of the tournament.

Vargas ended the run of 17th seed Maricurz Ortiz from Costa Rica with a decisive three game win, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9, in one women’s semi-final, while Mejia defeated Argentina’s Natalia Mendez, 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5, in other semi.

You can watch the finals via live streaming on the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel. For draws, look to the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website or the R2 Sports site.

XXXIV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 1-8, 2023

Women’s Singles - Semi-finals - Friday

4) María José Vargas (Argentina) d. 17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica), 11-2, 11-6, 11-9
6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5

Women’s Singles - Final - Saturday

4) María José Vargas (Argentina) v. 6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 11 AM

Women’s Singles - 3rd place - Saturday

2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) - 10 AM

Women’s Singles - 5-8 Playoff - Friday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 11-3, 11-8, 11-7
Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 11-6, 11-13, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9

Women’s Singles - 5-8 Playoff - Saturday

5th - Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) - 10 AM

7th - Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 10 AM

Women’s Singles - 9-12 playoff - Friday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Erika Manilla (USA), 11-5, 11-8, 11-8
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9

Women’s Singles - 9-12 playoff - Saturday

9th - Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 11 AM

11th - Erika Manilla (USA) v. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 11 AM

Women’s Singles - 13-16 playoff - Round 1 - Friday

Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 6-11, 11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Anna Aguilar (Guatemala), 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7

Women’s Singles -13-16 playoff - Round 2 - Saturday

13th - Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) v. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - 11 AM

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Anna Aguilar (Guatemala) - Noon

Women’s Singles - 17-20 playoff - Saturday

17th - Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Michèle Morissette (Canada), forfeit

19th - Paula Mansilla (Chile) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia), forfeit

Men's Singles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. 13) Diego Garcia (Argentina), 5-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8, 21-19
3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA), 11-6, 11-7, 11-3

Men's Singles - Finals - Saturday

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. 3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 11 AM

Men's Singles - 3rd place - Saturday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Diego Garcia (Argentina) - 11 AM

Men's Singles - 5-8 playoff - Round 1 - Friday

Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. Trevor Webb (Canada), 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica), 11-6, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10

Men's Singles - 5-8 playoff - Round 2 - Saturday

5th - Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) v. Andree Parrilla (Mexico) - 10 AM

7th - Trevor Webb (Canada) v. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - 11 AM

Men's Singles - 9-12 Playoff - Round 1 - Friday

Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Thomas Carter (USA), 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 11-5, 11-9, 15-13

Men's Singles - 9-12 Playoff - Round 2 - Saturday

Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) - 1 PM

Thomas Carter (USA) v. Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 11 AM

Men's Singles - 13-16 Playoff - Round 1 - Friday

Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 5-11, 11-4, injury forfeit
Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), forfeit

Men's Singles - 13-16 Playoff - Round 2 - Saturday

13th - Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) v. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - Noon

15th - Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - injury forfeit

Men's Singles - 17-20 Playoff - Round 4 - Friday

17th - Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8

19th - Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) v. Diego Gatica (Chile), 11-13, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9

Men's Singles - 21-24 Playoff - Round 2 - Friday

21st - Carlos Medrano (Honduras) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 11-7, 11-9, 11-3

23rd - Rafael Gatica (Chile) d. Yandy Espinosa (Cuba), 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 3-11, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball….

Ortiz & Garcia into semis at 2023 Pan American Championships

Costa Rica’s Maricurz Ortiz, the 17th seed, continued her run through the Women’s Singles draw at the 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala on Thursday, although she needed to come back from two games down to defeat veteran Colombian Cristina Amaya, 4-11, 9-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-4. The win puts Ortiz into the semi-finals and onto the podium, as she’s assured of finishing with bronze or better.

Next up for Ortiz will be former Pan American Champion María José Vargas of Argentina, who had a come back of her own, as she was down 2-1 against current World Champion Paola Longoria of Mexico, but came back to win in five games, 11-5, 5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5. That was Longoria’s first loss internationally since the 2018 World Championships, when she lost to Guatemalan Gabriela Martinez in the final, and the first loss at the Pan American Championships since 2018, when the USA’s Rhonda Rajsich beat her in the final.

The other two women’s quarterfinals went four games. Mexican Montserrat Mejia defeated Guatemala’s Gabriela Martinez, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7, to deny the Guatemalan’s chance at gold on home soil. Also, Argentina’s Natalia Mendez won the first two games against Bolivian Yasmine Sabja, but then had to hang on for the win, as the third and fourth games both went to extra points with Mendez eventually winning 11-8, 11-8, 13-15, 12-10.

Diego Garcia, the young Argentine player, continue to impress in Men’s Singles, as the 13th seed upset 5th seed Eduardo Portillo of Mexico, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, in the quarterfinals. That might be the only five game match we’ve ever seen that had the same score for each game. Unique?

In the semi-finals, Garcia’s next opponent will be two time Pan American Champion Carlos Keller of Bolivia, who lost the first game to Costa Rican Andres Acuña but then bounced back to win the next three, taking the match 6-11, 11-2, 12-10, 11-9.

The other semi-final will be #2 versus #3, as 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck of the USA plays 3rd seed Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia. In the quarters, Bredenbeck defeated 7th seed Andree Parrilla of Mexico, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, and Moscoso beat 11th seed Trevor Webb of Canada, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8.

You can watched some of the matches via live streaming on the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel. For draws, look to the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website or the R2 Sports site.

XXXIV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 1-8, 2023

Women’s Open - Quarterfinals - Thursday

17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) d. 8) Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 4-11, 9-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-4

4) María José Vargas (Argentina) d. 5) Paola Longoria (Mexico), 11-5, 5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5

6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 3) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7
2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 10) Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 11-8, 11-8, 13-15, 12-10

Women’s Open - Semi-finals - Friday

4) María José Vargas (Argentina) v. 17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) - 11 AM
2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 11 AM

Women’s Open - 5-8 Playoff - Friday

5) Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. 8) Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 10 AM
3) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. 10) Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) - 11 AM

Women’s Open - First Round of 9-16 - Thursday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 11-6, 11-5, 11-7
Erika Manilla (USA) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 13-11, 11-4, 11-9

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), forfeit
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Anna Aguilar (Guatemala), 11-7, 13-11, 11-8

Women’s Open - Second Round of 9-16 - Friday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. Erika Manilla (USA) - 10 AM
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 11 AM

Women’s Open - First Round of 13-16 - Friday

Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) v. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - 1 PM
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) Anna Aguilar (Guatemala) - 1 PM

Women’s Open - First Round of 17-20 - Wednesday

Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) - BYE
Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-6, 11-4, 11-0

Michèle Morissette (Canada) d. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-4, 11-9, 11-9
Paula Mansilla (Chile) - BYE

Women’s Open - Second Round of 17-20 - Thursday

Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia), 11-5, 11-8, 11-4
Michèle Morissette (Canada) d. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 11-8, 11-4, 11-5

Women’s Open - Third Round of 17-20 - Friday

17th - Juliette Parent (Canada) v. Michèle Morissette (Canada) - 2 PM

19th - Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) v. Paula Mansilla (Chile) - Noon

21st - Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-4, 11-2, 12-10

Men's Singles - Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. 9) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica), 6-11, 11-2, 12-10, 11-9
13) Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. 5) Eduardo Portillo (Mexico), 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8

3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 11) Trevor Webb (Canada), 11-7, 11-4, 11-8
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. 7) Andree Parrilla (Mexico), 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8

Men's Singles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. 13) Diego Garcia (Argentina) - 10 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. 3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 10 AM

Men's Singles - 5-8 playoff - Friday

Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) v. Trevor Webb (Canada) - 10 AM
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) v. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - 10 AM

Men's Singles - First Round of 9-16 Playoff - Thursday

Thomas Carter (USA) d. 17) Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 11-7, 11-6, 11-7
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), forfeit

Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 10-12, 11-8, 11-4, 11-9
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-6, 11-5

Men's Singles - First Round of 9-16 Playoff - Friday

Thomas Carter (USA) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - Noon
Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) - Noon

Men's Singles - 13-16 Playoff - Friday

Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) v. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - 11 AM
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) v. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - Noon

Men's Singles - 17-20 Playoff - Round 3 - Thursday

Maikel Moyet (Cuba) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Diego Gatica (Chile), 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7

Men's Singles - 17-20 Playoff - Round 4 - Friday

17th - Maikel Moyet (Cuba) v. Set Cubillos (Colombia) - 11 AM

19th - Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) v. Diego Gatica (Chile) - 1 PM

Men's Singles - 21-24 Playoff - Round 1 - Thursday

Carlos Medrano (Honduras) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 11-5, 11-8, 11-8
Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) d. Yandy Espinosa (Cuba), 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9

Men's Singles - 21-24 Playoff - Round 2 - Friday

21st - Carlos Medrano (Honduras) v. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) - 2 PM

23rd - Rafael Gatica (Chile) v. Yandy Espinosa (Cuba) - 2 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Ortiz knocks off defending champion Barrios at 2023 Pan American Championships

You want upsets? We had upsets on Wednesday at the 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The largest one came in Women’s Singles, as 17th seed Maricruz Ortiz of Costa Rica knocked off the top seed and defending champion Angelica Barrios of Bolivia, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8. Boom.

Ortiz is a young, tall, lean power player, but this win was more about Barrios, who did not have her A game, as she made several unforced errors, including skipping a set up backhand shot that ended game three. Barrios is playing three divisions here - singles, doubles and mixed doubles - which is a lot of racquetball, and perhaps that caught up to her. However, Ortiz is also playing three divisions, so maybe it was just not Barrios’s day, and the magic she had at last year’s championships, which were in her home country of Bolivia, was just not repeatable.

Ortiz will play Colombian Cristina Amaya in the quarterfinals, as Amaya beat Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 11-9, 11-3, 11-4, with the winner getting a spot on the podium. It’s been awhile since the veteran Amaya was on the podium, and you can be sure she wants to get there again.

Bolivia was also involved in the other upset in Women’s Singles as 10th seed Yasmine Sabja of Bolivia came back from 2-1 down to defeat 7th seed Carla Muñoz of Chile, 6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9. Muñoz was a bronze medalist at last year’s championships, but won’t be this year. Sabja will play Argentina’s Natalia Mendez in the quarters, as the 2nd seed beat 18th seed Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9.

The big matches in the quarters of Women’s Singles are the 4/5 and 3/6 contests. Former Pan American Champion María José Vargas of Argentina will play current World Champion Paola Longoria of Mexico in the 4/5 match, and the hometown favorite Gabriela Martinez faces off with Mexican Montserrat Mejia in the 3/6 match.

Vargas, Longoria and Martinez all won their Round of 16 matches in three straight games, but Mejia had a battle with the USA’s Erika Manilla that lasted four long games, as Mejia prevailed 11-9, 16-14, 8-11, 15-13.

In Men’s Singles, there were some upsets in the Round of 16 also, but nothing quite so seismic as Ortiz’s win. However, 15th seed Edwin Galicia of Guatemala almost had a big upset as he was up 2-1 on 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck of the USA, but the American came back to prevail in five games, winning 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5. Bredenbeck will play Mexican Andree Parrilla in the quarterfinals, as Parrilla beat Ecuador’s Juan Francisco Cueva, 11-3, 11-7, 11-3.

The USA was involved in the largest upset Wednesday, as 4th seed Thomas Carter won the first two games against 13th seed Diego Garcia of Argentina, only to see the Argentine come back and win the next three games to take the match 9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6. Garcia plays Mexico’s Eduardo Portillo in the quarters, as the 5th seed beat 12th seed Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5.

Two time Pan American Champion Carlos Keller of Bolivia defeated 17th seed Fernando Kurzbard of Argentina, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6, and will play last year’s World Games Champion Andres Acuña of Costa Rica in the quarters, as Acuña beat his team-mate Gabriel Garcia, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6.

Keller’s team-mate Conrrado Moscoso, who’s the defending Pan American Champion defeated 14th seed Juan Salvatierra of Guatemala, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, and plays Canadian Trevor Webb who won a close all Canuck battle with Coby Iwaasa - who's been substituted for the injured Samuel Murray - 11-5, 11-9, 12-10.

You can watched some of the matches via live streaming on the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel. For draws, look to the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website or the R2 Sports site.

XXXIV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 1-8, 2023

Women’s Open - Round of 16 - Wednesday

17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) d. 1) Angelica Barrios (Bolivia), 11-8, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8
8) Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. 9) Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - 1-9, 11-3, 11-4

5) Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. 12) Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 11-5, 11-5, 15-13
4) María José Vargas (Argentina) d.13) Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 11-5, 11-2, 11-3

3) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. 14) Anna Aguilar (Guatemala), 11-8, 13-11, 11-1
6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 11) Erika Manilla (USA), 11-9, 16-14, 8-11, 15-13

10) Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. 7) Carla Muñoz (Chile), 6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9
2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 18) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 11-4, 11-5, 11-9

Women’s Open - Quarterfinals - Thursday

8) Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. 17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) - 10:45 AM

4) María José Vargas (Argentina) v. 5) Paola Longoria (Mexico) - 10:45 AM

3) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. 6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 10 AM
2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 10) Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) - 10:45 AM

Women’s Open - First Round of 9-16 - Thursday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM
Erika Manilla (USA) v. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - 10 AM

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) - 10 AM
Anna Aguilar (Guatemala) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 10 AM

Women’s Open - First Round of 17-20 - Wednesday

Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) - BYE
Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-6, 11-4, 11-0

Michèle Morissette (Canada) d. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-4, 11-9, 11-9
Paula Mansilla (Chile) - BYE

Women’s Open - Second Round of 17-20 - Thursday

Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) v. Juliette Parent (Canada) - 10:45 AM
Paula Mansilla (Chile) v. Michèle Morissette (Canada) - 10:45 AM

Men's Singles - Round of 16 - Wednesday

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. 17) Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 11-9, 11-9, 11-6
9) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 8) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 11-4, 11-6, 11-6

5) Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. 12) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 11-4, 11-5, 11-5

13) Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. 4) Thomas Carter (USA), 9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6

3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 14) Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-7, 11-5
11) Trevor Webb (Canada) d. 6) Coby Iwaasa (Canada), 11-5, 11-9, 12-10

7) Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. 10) Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-7, 11-3
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) V. 15) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5

Men's Singles - Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. 9) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - 11:30 AM
5) Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) v. 13) Diego Garcia (Argentina) - 11:30 AM

3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. 11) Trevor Webb (Canada) - 11:30 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. 7) Andree Parrilla (Mexico) - 11:30 AM

Men's Singles - 17-20 Playoff - Round 1

Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Carlos Medrano (Honduras) d. Ronal Cardona (Honduras), 12-10, 11-8, 11-5

Rafael Gatica (Chile) - BYE
Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - BYE

Diego Gatica (Chile) - BYE
Yandy Espinosa (Cuba) - BYE

Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) - BYE
Set Cubillos (Colombia) - BYE

Men's Singles - 17-20 Playoff - Round 2 - Wednesday

Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 11-8, 11-6, 13-11
Maikel Moyet (Cuba) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 11-4, 11-6, 11-3

Diego Gatica (Chile) d. Yandy Espinosa (Cuba), 12-10, 11-6, 11-8
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), 11-6, 11-4, 11-5

Men's Singles - 17-20 Playoff - Round 3

Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) v. Maikel Moyet (Cuba)
Set Cubillos (Colombia) v. Diego Gatica (Chile)

Men's Singles - 21-24 Playoff - Round 1 - Thursday

Carlos Medrano (Honduras) v. Rafael Gatica (Chile) - 11:30 AM
Yandy Espinosa (Cuba) v. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico) - 10h45

Follow the bouncing ball….

Final day results & singles draws for the 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships

Group play wrapped up Monday at the 2023 Pan American Racquetball Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, setting the stage for the elimination round beginning Tuesday. There were a couple of tie-breakers Monday, as Colombian Maria Paz Riquelme came back from 2-1 down to defeat Costa Rica’s Jimena Gomez, 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, in one of them, and in the other Dominican Republic’s Merynanyelly Delgado eked out the victory over Canadian Juliette Parent, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9.

The top seeds in Women’s Singles are defending champion Angelica Barrios of Bolivia at #1, Natalia Mendez of Argentina #2, Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala #3, and Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina #4. But Paola Longoria - the current International Racquetball Federation World Champion is not to be overlooked as the 5th seed.

The Men’s top seeds are Carlos Keller of Bolivia at #1 with the USA’s Jake Bredenbeck #2, Keller’s team-mate Conrrado Moscoso at #3 and Thomas Carter - Bredenbeck’s team-mate - #4.

Match streaming is available to see matches, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches. For draws, look to the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website or the R2 Sports site.

XXXIV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 1-8, 2023

Women's Singles

Group 1 - Monday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Anna Aguilar (Guatemala), 11-6, 11-5, 11-5
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE

Group 1 Standings

1) Angelica Barrios (Bolivia)
2) Carla Muñoz (Chile)
3) Anna Aguilar (Guatemala)

Group 2 - Monday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-7, 11-5
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - BYE

Group 2 Standings

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina)
2) Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
3) Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador)

Group 3 - Monday

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia), 11-8, 11-9, 11-8
Paula Mansilla (Chile) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-3, 11-0, 11-4

Group 3 Standings

1) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
2) Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia)
3) Paula Mansilla (Chile)
4) Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba)

Group 4 - Monday

María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 8-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6
Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) d. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6

Group 4 Standings

1) María José Vargas (Argentina)
2) Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
3) Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia)
4) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica)

Group 5 - Monday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 11-8, 11-5, 11-4
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9

Group 5 Standings

1) Paola Longoria (Mexico)
2) Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
3) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
4) Juliette Parent (Canada)

Group 6 - Monday

Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. Erika Manilla (USA), 11-9, 15-13, 11-8
Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) d. Michèle Morissette (Canada), 11-6, 11-5, 11-7

Group 6 Standings

1) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico)
2) Erika Manilla (USA)
3) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)
4) Michèle Morissette (Canada)

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Monday

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Diego Garcia (Argentina), 12-10, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5
Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - BYE

Group 1 Standings

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
2) Diego Garcia (Argentina)
3) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala)

Group 2 - Monday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-1, 15-13, 11-5
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - BYE

Group 2 Standings

1) Jake Bredenbeck (USA)
2) Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala)
3) Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)

Group 3 - Monday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Trevor Webb (Canada), 11-7, 11-5, 11-3
Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - BYE

Group 3 Standings

1) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
2) Trevor Webb (Canada)
3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)

Group 4 - Monday

Thomas Carter (USA) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 11-3, 11-4, 11-8
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Ronal Cardona (Honduras), 11-3, 11-4, 11-8

Group 4 Standings

1) Thomas Carter (USA)
2) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
3) Set Cubillos (Colombia)
4) Ronal Cardona (Honduras)

Group 5 - Monday

Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica), 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9
Diego Gatica (Chile) d. Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico), forfeit

Group 5 Standings

1) Samuel Murray (Canada)
2) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica)
3) Diego Gatica (Chile)
4) Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico)

Group 6 - Monday

Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-4, 8-11, 12-10, 11-4
Maikel Moyet (Cuba) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 13-11, 12-10, 11-3

Group 6 Standings

1) Eduardo Portillo (Mexico)
2) Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador)
3) Maikel Moyet (Cuba)
4) Carlos Medrano (Honduras)

Group 7 - Monday

Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 11-5, 11-7, 11-7
Yandy Espinosa (Cuba) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 5-11, 11-5, 11-3, 13-11

Group 6 Standings

1) Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
2) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica)
3) Yandy Espinosa (Cuba)
4) Rafael Gatica (Chile)

Women’s Open - Medal Round - Tuesday

1) Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) - BYE
16) Paula Mansilla (Chile) v. 17) Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) - 10 AM

9) Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
8) Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - BYE

5) Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE
12) Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. 21) Juliette Parent (Canada) - 10 AM

13) Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) v. 20) Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba) - 10 AM
4) María José Vargas (Argentina)

3) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
14) Anna Aguilar (Guatemala) v. 19) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 10 AM

11) Erika Manilla (USA) v. 22) Michèle Morissette (Canada) - 10 AM
6) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - BYE

7) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE
10) Yasmine Sabja (Bolivia) - BYE

15) Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) v. 18) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM
2) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE

Men's Singles - Medal Round - Tuesday

1) Carlos Keller (Bolivia) - BYE
16) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) v. 17) Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)

9) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. 24) Carlos Medrano (Honduras)
8) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. 25) Ronal Cardona (Honduras)

5) Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) - BYE
12) Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. 21) Rafael Gatica (Chile)

13) Diego Garcia (Argentina) v. 20) Maikel Moyet (Cuba)
4) Thomas Carter (USA) - BYE

3) Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
14) Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. 19) Diego Gatica (Chile)

11) Trevor Webb (Canada) v. 22) Yandy Espinosa (Cuba)
6) Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

7) Andree Parrilla (Mexico) - BYE
10) Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) v. 23) Abraham Mercado (Puerto Rico)

15) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) v. 18) Set Cubillos (Colombia)
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Upsets in singles at the 2022 IRF World Championships

There will be a new Men’s Singles International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion, as Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso beat reigning champion Alejandro Landa of the USA, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at the 2022 IRF World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. However, Mexican Paola Longoria is still on track to defend her Women’s Singles title, as she defeated Argentina’s Valeria Centellas, 11-2, 11-6, 12-10, in the quarters.

But the big surprise on Tuesday was Guatemalan Edwin Galicia taking out Mexican Daniel De La Rosa - the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) in the Round of 16, winning 12-10, 14-16, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7. Sadly, Galicia’s joy was short-lived, as he lost in the quarterfinals to Costa Rican Andres Acuña, 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3.

The semi-finals of singles will be Wednesday. Check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for live streaming of matches.

XXI International Racquetball Federation World Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - August 19-27

Men’s Singles - Round of 16

Rocky Carson (USA) - BYE
Carlos Keller (BOL) d. Lee Connell (CAN), 11-8, 11-8, 11-5

Edwin Galicia (GUA) d. Daniel De La Rosa (MEX), 12-10, 14-16, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7
Andres Acuña (CRC) d. Kurtis Cullen (CAN), 11-6, 11-6, 11-2

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (ECU), 11-8, 11-5, 4-11, 11-5
Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) d. Michimune Kono (JAP), 11-4, 11-4, 11-9

Rodrigo Montoya (MEX) d. Juan Salvatierra (GUA), 11-5, 11-8, 11-6
Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU) - BYE

Quarterfinals

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Carlos Keller (BOL), 11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4
Andres Acuña (CRC) d. Edwin Galicia (GUA), 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3

Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) d. Alejandro Landa (USA), 11-3, 11-2, 11-3
Rodrigo Montoya (MEX) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU), 11-4, 13-11, 11-2

Semi-finals - Wednesday

Rocky Carson (USA) v. Andres Acuña (CRC) - 1 PM
Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) d. Rodrigo Montoya (MEX) - 11 AM

Men’s Singles - Consolation Round - Round of 16

Diego Garcia (ARG) - BYE
Ryoki Kamahara (JAP) d. Vineet Singh (IND), 11-4, 11-9, 11-13, 11-3

Fabian Balmori (ESP) d. Jaime Mansilla (CHI), 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 11-8
Sergio Acuña (CRC) - BYE

Ramon De Leon (DOM) - BYE
Markell Moyet (CUB) d. Yandy Espinosa (CUB), 11-6, 11-3, 11-7

Rafael Gatica (CHI) d. Arun Bhaskaran (IND), 11-4, 12-10, 11-4
Tomas Oyhanart (ARG) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Tuesday

Diego Garcia (ARG) d. Ryoki Kamahara (JAP), 11-7, 11-7, 11-4
Sergio Acuña (CRC) d. Fabian Balmori (ESP), 11-7, 11-13, 11-9, 11-8

Markell Moyet (CUB) d. Ramon De Leon (DOM), 11-8, 11-5, 11-5
Tomas Oyhanart (ARG) d. Rafael Gatica (CHI), 11-8, 11-6, 11-9

Semi-finals - Wednesday

Diego Garcia (ARG) v. Fabian Balmori (ESP) - 11 AM
Tomas Oyhanart (ARG) v. Markell Moyet (CUB) - Noon

Women’s Singles - Medal Round - Round of 16

Erika Manilla (USA) - BYE
Angelica Barrios (BOL) d. Carla Muñoz (CHI), 11-9, 11-4, 11-3

Paola Longoria (MEX) d. Jenny Daza (BOL). 11-5, 11-7, 11-5
Valeria Centellas (ARG) - BYE

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez (GUA) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU), 11-5, 11-8, 11-6

Alexandra Herrera (MEX) d. Cristina Amaya (COL), 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
Natalia Mendez (ARG) - BYE

Quarterfinals

Angelica Barrios (BOL) d. Erika Manilla (USA), 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7
Paola Longoria (MEX) d. Valeria Centellas (ARG), 11-2, 11-6, 12-10

Gabriela Martinez (GUA) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 12-10, 11-5, 7-11, 12-10
Alexandra Herrera (MEX) d. Natalia Mendez (ARG), 11-8, 11-3, 11-8

Semi-finals - Wednesday

Paola Longoria (MEX) v. Angelica Barrios (BOL) - Noon
Gabriela Martinez (GUA) v. Alexandra Herrera (MEX) - Noon

Women’s Singles - Consolation Round - Quarterfinals

Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra (GUA) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (COL), 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10
Juliette Parent (CAN) d. Ayako Hanashi (JAP), 11-8, 11-3, 11-3

Ana Lucia Sarmiento (ECU) d. Harumi Kajino (JAP), 11-5, 11-5, 11-6
Danielle Drury (CAN) d. Paula Mansilla (CHI), 11-3, 11-7, 11-7

Semi-finals

Juliette Parent (CAN) v. Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra (GUA) - 1 PM
Danielle Drury (CAN) v. Ana Lucia Sarmiento (ECU) - 2 PM

Follow the bouncing ball…..

Medal round draws for 2022 IRF World Championships

The draws are out for the medal rounds of the 2022 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and we have them all for you below. Medal round matches begin early on Tuesday, and will run into Tuesday evening.

The top two players in each singles division qualified for the medal round, and the other players will be in a consolation playoff. All of the doubles teams qualified for the medal round.

The medal round begins Tuesday at 9 AM CDT. Check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for live streaming of matches.

XXI International Racquetball Federation World Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - August 19-27

Men’s Singles - Round of 16

Rocky Carson (USA) - BYE
Carlos Keller (BOL) v. Lee Connell (CAN) - 9 AM

Daniel De La Rosa (MEX) v. Edwin Galicia (GUA) - 9 AM
Kurtis Cullen (CAN) v. Andres Acuña (CRC) - 9 AM

Alejandro Landa (USA) v. Juan Francisco Cueva (ECU) - 9 AM
Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) v. Michimune Kono (JAP) - 9 AM

Rodrigo Montoya (MEX) v. Juan Salvatierra (GUA) - 9 AM
Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU) - BYE

Men’s Singles - Consolation Round - Round of 16

Diego Garcia (ARG) - BYE
Ryoki Kamahara (JAP) v. Vineet Singh (IND)

Jaime Mansilla (CHI) v. Fabian Balmori (ESP)
Sergio Acuña (CRC) - BYE

Ramon De Leon (DOM) - BYE
Markell Moyet (CUB) v. Yandy Espinosa (CUB)

Rafael Gatica (CHI) v. Arun Bhaskaran (IND)
Tomas Oyhanart (ARG) - BYE

Women’s Singles - Medal Round - Round of 16

Erika Manilla (USA) - BYE
Carla Muñoz (CHI) v. Angelica Barrios (BOL) - 9:45 AM

Paola Longoria (MEX) v. Jenny Daza (BOL) - 9:45 AM
Valeria Centellas (ARG) - BYE

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Gabriela Martinez (GUA) v. Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU) - 9:45 AM

Alexandra Herrera (MEX) v. Cristina Amaya (COL) - 9:45 AM
Natalia Mendez (ARG) - BYE

Women’s Singles - Consolation Round - Round of 16

Maria Paz Riquelme (COL) - BYE
Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra (GUA) v. Maria Regla (CUB), forfeit

Ayako Hanashi (JAP) - BYE
Juliette Parent (CAN) - BYE

Ana Lucia Sarmiento (ECU) - BYE
Harumi Kajino (JAP) - BYE

Paula Mansilla (CHI) d. Yurisleidis Araujo (CUB), forfeit
Danielle Drury (CAN) - BYE

Quarterfinals

Maria Paz Riquelme (COL) v. Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra (GUA) - 11:15
Juliette Parent (CAN) v. Ayako Hanashi (JAP) - 11:15

Ana Lucia Sarmiento (ECU) v. Harumi Kajino (JAP) - Noon
Danielle Drury (CAN) v. Paula Mansilla (CHI) - Noon

Men’s Doubles - Tuesday

First round

Juan Francisco Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU) v. Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (GUA) - Noon
Tomas Oyhanart & Diego Garcia (ARG) v. Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (CUB) - Noon
Andres Acuña & Sergio Acuña (CRC) v. Ravi Ranjan & Vineet Singh (IND) - Noon
Hiroshi Shimizu & Yuki Nakano (JAP) v. Diego Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (CHI) - Noon

Quarterfinals

Alvaro Beltran & Daniel De La Rosa (MEX) v. Juan Francisco Cueva & Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU) or Edwin Galicia & Christian Wer (GUA) - 3 PM
Sam Bredenbeck & Charles Pratt (USA) v. Tomas Oyhanart & Diego Garcia (ARG) or Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (CUB) - 3 PM

Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (CAN) v. Andres Acuña & Sergio Acuña (CRC) or Ravi Ranjan & Vineet Singh (IND) - 3 PM
Roland Keller & Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) v. Hiroshi Shimizu & Yuki Nakano (JAP) or Diego Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (CHI) - 3 PM

Women’s Doubles - Tuesday

First round

Angelica Barrios & Jenny Daza (BOL) v. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (CHI) - 1 PM
Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (ARG) d. Yurisleidis Araujo & Maria Regla (CUB), forfeit
Ana Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU) v. Maiko Sato & Naomi Wakimoto (JAP) - 1 PM

Quarterfinals

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (MEX) v. Angelica Barrios & Jenny Daza (BOL) or Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (CHI) - 4 PM
Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (GUA) v. Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme (COL) - 4 PM

Hollie Scott & Kelani Lawrence (USA) v. Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (ARG) - 4 PM
Frédérique Lambert & Michèle Morissette (CAN) v. Ana Lucia Sarmiento & Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU) or Maiko Sato & Naomi Wakimoto (JAP) - 4 PM

Mixed Doubles - Tuesday

First round

Rodrigo Salgado Jr. & Carla Muñoz (CHI) v. Harumi Kajino & Michimune Kono (JAP) - 4:30 PM
Josue Bermeo & Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU) d. Yurisleidis Araujo & Maikel Moyet (CUB), forfeit

Quarterfinals

Rodrigo Montoya & Samatha Salas (MEX) v. Rodrigo Salgado Jr. & Carla Muñoz (CHI) or Harumi Kajino & Michimune Kono (JAP) - 7 PM
Valeria Centellas & Diego Garcia (ARG) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Juan Salvatierra (GUA) - 7 PM

Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa (USA) v. Frédérique Lambert & Samuel Murray (CAN) - 7 PM
Jenny Daza & Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) v. Josue Bermeo & Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU) - 7 PM

Follow the bouncing ball…..

Some surprises as group play wraps up at the 2022 IRF World Championships

The group stage for singles has concluded at the 2022 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. There were some interesting results on the final day, although once again the defending champions were winners, and won their respective groups. Alejandro Landa of the USA - the defending Men’s Singles Champion - won Group 3 with a win over Edwin Galicia of Guatemala, 11-6, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8, and Mexican Paola Longoria won Group 5 by defeating Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra of Guatemalan, 11-2, 11-2, 11-5, to begin her defence of her Women’s Singles title.

The big upset was in Group 2 of Men’s Singles, as Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador eked out a win over Costa Rica’s Andres Acuña, 6-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 13-11. Acuña won gold at the World Games last month in Birmingham, Alabama, but might find himself in a tough draw for the medal round this week.

Ugalde led for much of the breaker, including at 7-4. Then Acuña tied it at 8-8, and they were lock step from there: 9-9, 10-10, 11-11, and then Acuña skipped a forehand shot to the front right corner to put Ugalde on match point at 12-11. Ugalde hit a drive serve down the right side, and Acuña’s forehand return skipped giving the Ecuadoran the victory.

The men’s “heavyweight” tussle Monday was between Mexican Rodrigo Montoya, a former IRF World Champion in Men’s Singles - and for a few days still one of the current World Champions in Men’s Doubles (with Javier Mar), against Bolivian Carlos Keller, a two time Pan American Champion in Men’s Singles. Keller took game one of the match, but Montoya won the next three to take the match, 9-11, 11-9, 11-1, 11-9.

We told you that Group 4 of Men’s Singles was a three way battle between Japan’s Michimune Kono, Costa Rican Sergio Acuña, and Canadian Kurtis Cullen. Cullen and Kono will advance to the medal round with Cullen finishing 1st and Kono 2nd. Cullen only needed one game against Acuña Monday to seal the outcome after Kono defeated Cuban Yandy Espinosa, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5, and Cullen got it, but only after losing the first two games to Acuña, who then forfeited, so that he could save some energy for doubles, which made the final scoreling 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, forfeit. Cullen is playing in his first international event, and he’s very pleased to be advancing to the medal round, especially as the group winner.

There were two close tie-breakers in women’s play, as Argentina’s Valeria Centellas held off Bolivia’s Angelica Barrios, who is the current Pan American Champion, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, and Gutatemala’s Gabriela Martinez - a former IRF World Champion - came back from a game down to defeat Mexican Alexandra Herrera, 2-11, 11-7, 13-11, 3-11, 11-6. With those wins Centellas wins Group 4 and Martinez Group 6.

The Close Match That Only Lasted Three Games Award goes to Japan’s Harumi Kajino and Chile’s Paula Mansilla, who played extra points in each of their three games with Kajino coming out on top, 13-11, 14-12, 13-11.

The other big news in women’s play is that the Cuban women - Yurisleidis Araujo and Maria Regla - did not show up for their matches, as they have both defected from Cuba. We understand Araujo did so yesterday, which explains the Cuban losses yesterday in both Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles, and Regla did so today.

They are streaming matches San Luis Potosí, so check the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel. Matches will begin at 10 AM CDT most of the tournament (Tuesday will be the exception with some matches at 9 AM), and run through until late afternoon.

XXI International Racquetball Federation World Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - August 19-27

Men’s Singles - Saturday

Group 1

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Diego Garcia (ARG), 11-3, 11-8, 11-6
Juan Francisco Cueva (ECU) - BYE

Group 2

Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU) d. Andres Acuña (CRC), 6-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 13-11
Tomas Oyhanart (ARG) - BYE

Group 3

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (GUA), 11-6, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8
Ramon De Leon (DOM) d. Fabian Balmori (ESP), 11-5, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8

Group 4

Kurtis Cullen (CAN) d. Sergio Acuña (CRC), 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, forfeit
Michimune Kono (JAP) d. Yandy Espinosa (CUB), 11-2, 11-2, 11-5

Group 5

Daniel De La Rosa (MEX) d. Juan Salvatierra (GUA), 11-1, 11-3, 11-5
Jaime Mansilla (CHI) d. Arun Bhaskaran (IND), 11-2, 11-2, 11-5

Group 6

Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) d. Lee Connell (CAN), 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Markell Moyet (CUB) d. Ryoki Kamahara (JAP), 11-4, 11-5, 11-7

Group 7

Rodrigo Montoya (MEX) d. Carlos Keller (BOL), 9-11, 11-9, 11-1, 11-9
Rafael Gatica (CHI) d. Vineet Singh (IND), 9-11, 11-7, 11-1, 13-11

Women’s Singles - Saturday

Group 1

Erika Manilla (USA) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (COL), 11-8, 11-4, 11-3
Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU) - BYE

Group 2

Natalia Mendez (ARG) d. Jenny Daza (BOL), 11-5, 13-11, 11-5
Danielle Drury (CAN) - BYE

Group 3

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya (COL), 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9
Ana Lucia Sarmiento (ECU) d. Yurisleidis Araujo (CUB), forfeit

Group4

Valeria Centellas (ARG) d. Angelica Barrios (BOL), 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9
Juliette Parent (CAN) d. Maria Regla (CUB), forfeit

Group 5

Paola Longoria (MEX) d. Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra (GUA), 11-2, 11-2, 11-5
Carla Muñoz (CHI) d. Ayako Hanashi (JAP), 11-2, 11-6, 11-6

Group 6

Gabriela Martinez (GUA) d. Alexandra Herrera (MEX), 2-11, 11-7, 13-11, 3-11, 11-6
Harumi Kajino (JAP) d. Paula Mansilla (CHI), 13-11, 14-12, 13-11

Follow the bouncing ball…..

Day 2 singles results from 2022 IRF World Championships

Defending champions won again on day two of singles play at the 2022 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Alejandro Landa (USA) - the defending Men’s Singles Champion - beat Ramon De Leon from the Dominican Republic, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8, and Mexican Paola Longoria, the defending Women’s Singles Champion, defeated Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4.

There were only a couple of close matches on Sunday. In Women’s Singles, Japan’s Ayako Hanashi came back from a game down to defeat Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra of Guatemala, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 13-11.

In Men’s Singles, Japan’s Michimune Kono eked out a three game win over Costa Rican Sergio Acuña, 16-14, 11-6, 12-10. Acuña - the younger brother of Andres - was the top seed in Group 4, but now may not make it out of the group. He’ll need a win over Canadian Kurtis Cullen on Monday to have a chance. Cullen already has two wins, having beaten Kono on Saturday and Cuban Yandy Espinosa, 11-4, 11-2, 11-2, on Sunday. On Monday, if Kono beats Espinosa, and Acuña beats Cullen, they’ll all be 2-1 and the tie-breaker rules will be need to be applied to determine who advances.

Players will be closest seeding will face off on Monday - the last day of the group stage. Thus, the matches to determine who advances to the medal round should be very competitive.

They are streaming matches San Luis Potosí, so check the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel. Matches will begin at 10 AM CDT most of the tournament (Tuesday will be the exception with some matches at 9 AM), and run through until late afternoon.

XXI International Racquetball Federation World Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - August 19-27

Men’s Singles - Saturday

Group 1

Rocky Carson (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (ECU) d., 11-8, 11-9, 11-2
Diego Garcia (ARG) - BYE

Group 2

Andres Acuña (CRC) d. Tomas Oyhanart (ARG), 11-2, 11-6, 11-2
Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU) - BYE

Group 3

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Ramon De Leon (DOM), 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Edwin Galicia (GUA) d. Fabian Balmori (ESP), 11-7, 11-7, 11-5

Group 4

Michimune Kono (JAP) d. Sergio Acuña (CRC), 16-14, 11-6, 12-10
Kurtis Cullen (CAN) d. Yandy Espinosa (CUB), 11-4, 11-2, 11-2

Group 5

Daniel De La Rosa (MEX) d. Jaime Mansilla (CHI), 11-1, 11-8, 11-8
Juan Salvatierra (GUA) d. Arun Bhaskaran (IND), 11-1, 11-6, 11-5

Group 6

Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) d. Ryoki Kamahara (JAP), 11-6, 11-4, 11-9
Lee Connell (CAN) d. Markell Moyet (CUB), 11-8, 11-6, 12-10

Group 7

Rodrigo Montoya (MEX) d. Rafael Gatica (CHI), 11-2, 11-8, 11-5
Carlos Keller (BOL) d. Vineet Singh (IND), 11-8, 11-7, 11-6

Women’s Singles - Saturday

Group 1

Erika Manilla (USA) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU), 11-6, 11-7, 11-2
Maria Paz Riquelme (COL) - BYE

Group 2

Natalia Mendez (ARG) d. Danielle Drury (CAN), 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Jenny Daza (BOL) - BYE

Group 3

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Ana Lucia Sarmiento (ECU), 11-5, 11-2, 11-2
Cristina Amaya (COL) d. Yurisleidis Araujo (CUB), 11-5, 11-6, 11-9

Group4

Valeria Centellas (ARG) d. Juliette Parent (CAN), 11-4, 11-2, 11-3
Angelica Barrios (BOL) d. Maria Regla (CUB), 11-6, 11-9, 11-4

Group 5

Paola Longoria (MEX) d. Carla Muñoz (CHI), 11-6, 11-8, 11-4
Ayako Hanashi (JAP) d. Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra (GUA), 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 13-11

Group 6

Gabriela Martinez (GUA) d. Harumi Kajino (JAP), 11-8, 11-1, 11-6
Alexandra Herrera (MEX) d Paula Mansilla (CHI), 11-3, 11-3, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball…..

Singles results from day 1 at 2022 IRF World Championships

No surprises through the singles matches on day one of the 2022 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Defending Men’s Singles Champion Alejandro Landa of the USA did lose his first game to Spain’s Fabian Balmori, but then won the next three to take the match in four games, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-2. Similarly, Mexican Paola Longoria, the defending Women’s Singles Champion, won her first match, defeating Ayako Hanashi of Japan, 11-2, 11-1, 11-4.

A reminder that matches are best of five games each game played to 11 points, and you have to win by two points to win the game. Under this format, games seem to be taking about 9 min on average.

We understand that steaming of matches will begin on Sunday, so look for the action on the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel. Matches will begin at 10 AM CDT most of the tournament (Tuesday will be the exception with some matches at 9 AM), and run through until late afternoon.

XXI International Racquetball Federation World Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - August 19-27

Men’s Singles - Saturday

Group 1

Juan Francisco Cueva (ECU) d. Diego Garcia (ARG), 11-4, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9
Rocky Carson (USA) - BYE

Group 2

Jose Daniel Ugalde (ECU) d. Tomas Oyhanart (ARG), 11-3, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3
Andres Acuña (CRC) - BYE

Group 3

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Fabian Balmori (ESP), 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-2
Edwin Galicia (GUA) d. Ramon De Leon (DOM), 11-8, 11-7, 11-4

Group 4

Sergio Acuña (CRC) d. Yandy Espinosa (CUB), 11-3, 11-8, 11-6
Kurtis Cullen (CAN) d. Michimune Kono (JAP), 11-4, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4

Group 5

Daniel De La Rosa (MEX) d. Arun Bhaskaran (IND), 11-1, 11-4, 11-6
Juan Salvatierra (GUA) d. Jaime Mansilla (CHI), 11-13, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7

Group 6

Conrrado Moscoso (BOL) d. Markell Moyet (CUB), 11-1, 11-4, 11-4
Lee Connell (CAN) d. Ryoki Kamahara (JAP), 11-6, 11-7, 11-7

Group 7

Rodrigo Montoya (MEX) d. Vineet Singh (IND), 11-4, 11-3, 11-3
Carlos Keller (BOL) d. Rafael Gatica (CHI), 12-10, 12-10, 11-8

Women’s Singles - Saturday

Group 1

Maria Paz Muñoz (ECU) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (COL), 3-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-8
Erika Manilla (USA) - BYE

Group 2

Jenny Daza (BOL) d. Danielle Drury (CAN), 11-5, 11-5, 11-5
Natalia Mendez (ARG) - BYE

Group 3

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Yurisleidis Araujo (CUB), 11-4, 11-9, 11-4
Cristina Amaya (COL) d. Ana Lucia Sarmiento (ECU), 11-9, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4

Group 4

Valeria Centellas (ARG) d. Maria Regla (CUB), 11-3, 11-8, 11-3
Angelica Barrios (BOL) d. Juliette Parent (CAN), 11-5, 11-9, 11-6

Group 5

Paola Longoria (MEX) d. Ayako Hanashi (JAP), 11-2, 11-1, 11-4
Carla Muñoz (CHI) d. Jazmin Elizabeth Aguilar Salvatierra (GUA), 11-2, 11-8, 11-8

Group 6

Gabriela Martinez (GUA) v. Paula Mansilla (CHI), 11-5, 11-2, 11-4
Alexandra Herrera (MEX) v. Harumi Kajino (JAP), 11-9, 11-2, 11-2

Follow the bouncing ball…..

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships - Preview

The 2022 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships happen next week in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A & M University. Both singles and doubles championships are being contested in the same event, as they were last year. Also, there is a US Team Qualifying Mixed Doubles division, as the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) 2022 World Championships will include mixed doubles, so players can qualify for that separately from men’s and women’s singles and doubles.

Last year, we asked where the players were, as the fields were small, but that’s not the case this year. There are 19 players in Men’s Singles, 14 in Women’s Singles, as well as 9 Men’s Doubles teams and 8 Women’s Doubles teams, and in Mixed Doubles there are 11 teams. These fields are larger than they have been in recent years.

Filling out those fields are some players we’ve not seen in awhile. David Horn has returned to action in recent months, and he’s still the 4th highest ranked US player, which might surprise some (it did us). In Men’s Doubles, Jose Diaz is back, and playing with Timmy Hansen, and he's also playing Mixed Doubles with Rhonda Rajsich.

In Women’s Doubles, Aimee Roehler (formerly Ruiz) - the 12 time champion - is back, and playing with Erika Manilla in Women’s Doubles and Jake Bredenbeck in Mixed Doubles. Roehler and Manilla won the title in 2020, which was the last time Roehler played in the championships.

Also in 2020, Alejandro Landa and Sudsy Monchik won the Men’s Doubles title, and they will be trying to win it again in Texas after not being able to defend the title last year in Des Moines, as Monchik contracted COVID just before the tournament. They’ll likely have to beat Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt, who are the defending champions, to do it. Also in the mix are the Bredenbeck brothers - Jake and Sam - who were runners up last year, as will be the righty-lefty team of Horn and Adam Manilla.

We’re not sure how they’ll seed the women’s doubles teams. USA Racquetball has given the previous year’s champions and runners-up the 1st and 2nd seeds in the past. But neither last year’s champions (Manilla & Rajsich) nor runners-up (Michelle De La Rosa & Sheryl Lotts) are playing together. The highest USAR ranked players in women’s doubles (yes, the USAR has women’s doubles rankings) are Hollie Scott and Kelani Lawrence, who are playing together. And did you know that the next highest ranked player is Lexi York? We didn’t.

York is playing with De La Rosa, and Lotts and Rajsich are playing together, which they’ve often done in the past. Finally, as mentioned, the 2020 Champions - Manilla and Roehler - are back together. Any of those three teams - plus Lawrence and Scott - could be the champion this year.

As this is a IRF World Championships year, there is an extra special something to play for as the US Champions - and finalists in singles - will get spots on Team USA for Worlds in August.

Watch the action

USAR will be streaming matches from College Station via their USA Racquetball Facebook page. So check that out beginning Wednesday.

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships
College Station, Texas
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles - Field*

1) Rocky Carson
2) Alejandro Landa
3) Jake Bredenbeck
4) David Horn
5) Adam Manilla
6) Thomas Carter
7) Sam Bredenbeck
8) Robert Collins
9) Nicholas Riffel
10) Alex Zamudio
11) Zachary Williams
12) Benjamin Horner
13) Daniel Blanco
14) Jimmy Fernandez
15) DJ Mendoza
16) Jacob Kingsford
17) Adrian Espinoza
18) Charles Rankin
19) Danny Lavely (note: no ranking listed for Lavely, but we don’t think he should be last)

Men's US Team Doubles - Field*

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck
3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik
4) David Horn & Adam Manilla
Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel
Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon
Jose Diaz & Timmy Hansen
Daniel Blanco & Jimmy Fernandez
Iain Dunn & Paul Saraceno

Women's US Team Singles - Field*

1) Erika Manilla
2) Kelani Lawrence
3) Rhonda Rajsich
4) Hollie Scott
5) Linda Tyler
6) Lexi York
7) Graci Wargo
8) Annie Roberts
9) Naomi Ros
10) Shane Diaz
11) Alondra Canchola
12) Katie Neils
13) Erin Boadway
14) Kelly Mortensen

Women's US Team Doubles - Field*

Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott
Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich
Michelle De La Rosa & Lexi York
Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler
Laura Fenton Kovanda & Linda Tyler
Erin Boadway & Fran Transfiguarcion
Alondra Canchola & Annie Roberts
Shane Diaz & Naomi Rios

US Team Mixed Doubles - Field*

Kelani Lawrence & Sudsy Monchik
David Horn & Hollie Scott
Sheryl Lotts & Charlie Pratt
Jose Diaz & Rhonda Rajsich
Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa
Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York
Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla
Jake Bredenbeck & Aimee Roehler
Katie Neils & Nicholas Riffel
Graci Wargo & Alex Zamudio
Robert Collins & Annie Roberts

* - Note: seedings in the singles fields are based on USAR rankings. The doubles rankings are an estimate. Thus, they are all unofficial, as the brackets have not been released yet.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Three Americans into singles semi-finals at 20th IRF World Championships

They’re down to the semi-finals at the 20th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and of the eight semi-finalists in Men’s and Women’s Singles, three of them are American with five other countries accounting for one each. To be fair there are three Bolivian born players and two Mexican born players among the eight semi-finalists.

Those Mexican born players are the top seeds Men’s and Women’s Singles, and both won their quarterfinal matches in two straight games. In Women’s Singles, Paola Longoria defeated long time doubles partner Samantha Salas, 15-13, 15-5, while, in Men’s Singles, Alejandro Landa - who now plays for the USA - beat Guatemalan Juan Jose Salvatierra, 15-8, 15-12.

Natalia Mendez of Argentina defeated the defending Women’s Singles World Campion Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala, 9-15, 15-10, 11-7, to book a showdown with Longoria in the semi-finals on Sunday.

In their tie-breaker, Martinez actually led early at 4-1, but then found herself behind as Mendez got seven unanswered points to lead 8-4. Martinez stopped the bleeding at that point by getting the serve back, and scored three points of her own to get within one at 8-7.

But that was as much as Martinez would get, as Mendez called a timeout, and then got the serve back on the ensuing rally. That was followed by three winners to take the breaker, 11-7, and the match in two out of three games.

The other semi-final features two Americans squaring off. One is the wily veteran Rhonda Rajsich, who beat Guatemalan Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-7, 15-1. The other is Kelani Lawrence, who defeated Bolivia’s Angelica Barrios, 15-13, 15-11. Lawrence was three points away from losing her match in the first round, but will be going home with at least a bronze medal.

But Lawrence isn’t the first World Championships medalist in her family, as her mother Malia Bailey (née Kamahoahoa) was in the semi-finals at the 1996 World Championships in Phoenix, Arizona, where she lost to Cheryl Gudinas. Lawrence will also have a chance to equal her mom in World Games medals, as she’s qualified for the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama. Bailey was a silver medalist at the 1993 World Games in The Hague, Netherlands.

Men’s Singles

Conrrado Moscoso of Bolivia will play Landa in the Men’s Singles semi-finals. Moscoso, the most recent winner on the (International Racquetball Federation, defeated Mexican Andrew Parrilla, 15-12-15-14. The games were close all the way with Parrilla holding game point in game two, leading 14-11. Yet Moscoso found a way to come back and win that game and the match in two straight games.

Second seed Andres Acuña of Costa Rica beat Ecuador’s Jose Daniel Ugalde in the quarters, 15-6, 15-2. Acuña will play Colombian Mario Mercado in the semi-finals, as Mercado defeated American Jake Bredenbeck, 15-13, 11-15, 11-4.

Bredenback had a late lead on Mercado in game one at 12-9. But Mercado was able to get out of that jam to win it 15-13.

It looked like that might happen again in game two, as Mercado came back from 9-4 to tie it at 9-9. Bredenbeck scored the next three points to lead 12-9. Then Mercado got two points of his own and was within one at 12-11. Yet he couldn’t close it, as Bredenbeck held on to win game two and force a tie-breaker. He did so with a drive serve ace to the right side for game point.

In the breaker, they were tied at 2-2 early in the game. But then Mercado got four straight points to lead 6-2. Bredenbeck then responded with two points of his own to get within two, making it 6-4. Then Mercado called timeout.

When play resumed, Mercado got the serve back with a backhand pinch shot off a drive serve to the left side. He followed that up with five straight points to go from 7-4 to 11-4, and reach his first ever podium finish at Worlds.

Afterwards, Mercado said he "cannot believe what is going on," but was "really excited" about it all. He also congratulated Bredenbeck on a good tournament saying the American is an "amazing player." Though Mercado's in disbelief, he also said "I'll be ready" for the semi-finals on Sunday.

Live streaming has begun! Check out the (IRF on Facebook for the live streaming feed.

20th IRF World Championships
November 29-December 6 - Guatemala City, Guatemala

Men's Singles Quarterfinals - Friday

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-12
Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Andree Parrilla (Mexico), 15-12, 15-14

Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Jake Bredenbeck (USA), 15-13, 11-15, 11-4
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-2

Men's Singles Semi-finals - Sunday

Alejandro Landa (USA) v. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - 9 AM
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Mario Mercado (Colombia) - 11 AM

Women's Singles Quarterfinals - Friday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Samantha Salas (Mexico), 15-13, 15-5
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 9-15, 15-10, 11-7

Kelani Lawrence (USA) d. Angelica Barrios (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-11
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-7, 15-1

Women's Singles Semi-finals - Sunday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 10 AM
Kelani Lawrence (USA) v. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - Noon

Follow the bouncing ball....

Rajsich upsets Vargas to reach quarters at 2021 IRF World Championships

Here at The Racquetball Blog we like to talk about wily veterans. Players who have been around for awhile, and although they are likely past their peak, they are still capable pulling out a big win. American Rhonda Rajsich may be the poster player for the wily veteran category, and she showed why - yet again - at the 20th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala on Thursday when the medal round began. Playing Women’s Singles, Rajsich came back from a game down to defeat 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina, 5-15, 15-5, 11-10, in the Round of 16 to book a place in the quarterfinals on Friday and a chance at the podium.

Rajsich is a two time World Champion in Women’s Singles, and has been on the podium two other times. Friday she’ll try to make it five podiums when she takes on Guatemalan Maria Renee Rodriguez, who was a winner over Colombian Cristina Amaya, 15-13, 15-10.

Rodriguez would surely love to get a medal on home soil, and she only had to play once Thursday, while Rajsich played twice, and both matches went to a tie-breaker. Before defeating Vargas, Rajsich played Merynanyelly Delagdo of the Dominican Republic, and had to come from a game down in that match as well, winning it 14-15, 15-3, 11-5.

So, Rajsich-Rodriguez is a toss up, and never discount a wily veteran in a toss up.

Also in Women’s Singles, top seed Paola Longoria of Mexico comfortably reached the quarters by beating Maria Jose Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-0, 15-1, in the Round of 16. She’ll play a familiar opponent in the quarterfinals Friday: Samantha Salas, who is Longoria’s doubles partner. Salas reached the quarters by defeating Canadian Michèle Morissette, 15-0, 15-2.

Also of note, American Kelani Lawrence was three points away from going out in the Round of 32, but will play in the quarterfinals Friday, as she came back to defeat Ireland’s Aisling Hickey, 7-15, 15-12, 11-5, in the 32s, and then beat Chilean Carla Muñoz in the Round of 16, 15-8, 15-13.

After winning game one, Hickey led the whole way in game two, holding leads at 8-3, 11-7 and 12-10. But Lawrence tied it at 12-12, and went on to win from there. Although Hickey got the first two points of the breaker, it was really all Lawrence, who went from 3-1 down to 10-3 up. Hickey got a couple points back before Lawrence finished it at 11-5.

Lawrence is one of three players - along with Rodriguez and Angelica Barrios of Bolivia - who are first time quarterfinalists at Worlds.

Men’s Singles

For the first time since 2008 the reigning Men’s Singles World Champion will not successfully defend his title, as current World Champion Mexican Rodrigo Montoya lost to American Jake Bredenbeck in the Round of 16, 15-10, 15-14. In the quarterfinals, Bredenbeck will take on Colombian Mario Mercado, who had to come back from a game down to defeat Juan Francisco Cueva of Ecuador, 14-15, 15-6, 11-2.

There will be mostly new men on the Men’s Singles podium, as seven of the eight quarterfinalists have not medaled in singles at Worlds before. That includes top seed Alejandro Landa of the USA, who defeated Argentina’s Shai Manzuri (another wily veteran, tho not wily enough on Thursday), 15-6, 15-9. Landa faces Juan Jose Salvatierra in the quarters, as Salvatierra won an all Guatemala match with team-mate Javier Martinez, 15-7, 12-15, 11-7, in the Round of 16.

Another team-mate battle in the 16s was won by Andres Acuña, who beat fellow Costa Rican Felipe Camacho, 15-5, 15-2. Acuña will play Ecuador’s Jose Daniel Ugalde in the quarters, as Ugalde defeated Luis Aguilar of Bolivia, 15-8, 15-9, in the 16s.

Finally, Andree Parrilla of Mexico beat Ramon De Leon of the Dominican Republic, 15-6, 15-4, and will play Bolivian Conrrado Moscoso in the quarters Friday as Moscoso defeated Diego Garcia of Argentina, 15-5, 15-3. Moscoso is the only quarterfinalist to have previously reached the podium at Worlds, doing it twice - in 2014 and 2016.

Live streaming has begun! Check out the (IRF on Facebook for the live streaming feed.

20th IRF World Championships
November 29-December 6 - Guatemala City, Guatemala

Men's Singles - Round of 32

Alejandro Landa (USA) - BYE
Shai Manzuri (Argentina) d. Francis Guillemette (Canada), 15-6, 15-2

Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-5, 15-9
Javier Martinez (Guatemala) d. Eoin Tynan (Ireland), 15-7, 15-2

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - BYE
Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 15-2, 15-4

Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Lee Gunhee (South Korea), 15-6, 15-7
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) - BYE

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE
Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. Lee Connell (Canada), 15-2, 15-4

Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 15-3, 15-11
Mario Mercado (Colombia) - BYE

Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) - BYE
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ken Cottrell (Ireland), 15-2, 15-1

Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. Kim Mingyu (South Korea), 15-12, 15-14
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE

Men's Singles Round of 16 - Thursday

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-6, 15-9
Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Javier Martinez (Guatemala), 15-7, 12-15, 11-7

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Diego Garcia (Argentina), 15-5, 15-3
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-6, 15-4

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico), 15-10, 15-14
Mario Mercado (Colombia) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 14-15, 15-6, 11-2

Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-9
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-2

Men's Singles Quarterfinals - Friday

Alejandro Landa (USA) v. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) - Noon
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) v. Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) - Noon

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. Mario Mercado (Colombia) - Noon
Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) - Noon

Women's Singles Round of 32 - Thursday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia), 15-8, 15-5

Samantha Salas (Mexico) - BYE
Michèle Morissette (Canada) - BYE

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Majella Haverty (Ireland), 15-3, 15-5

Lee Sumin (South Korea) d. Ayako Hanashi (Japan), 15-9, 15-4
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) - BYE
Miceala Meneses (Bolivia) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 15-9, 15-1

Kelani Lawrence USA) d. Aisling Hickey (Ireland), 7-15, 15-12, 11-5
Carla Muñoz (Chile) - BYE

Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - BYE

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Merynanyelly Delagdo (Dominican Republic), 14-15, 15-3, 11-5
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) - BYE

Women's Singles Round of 16 - Thursday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-0, 15-1
Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Michèle Morissette (Canada), 15-0, 15-2

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-1, 15-14
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Lee Sumin (South Korea), 15-3, 15-3

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Miceala Meneses (Bolivia), 13-15, 15-7, 11-3
Kelani Lawrence USA) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-8, 15-13

Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-13, 15-10
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina), 5-15, 15-5, 11-10

Women's Singles Quarterfinals - Friday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 1 PM
Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 1 PM

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. Kelani Lawrence USA) - 1 PM
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - 1 PM

Follow the bouncing ball....

Singles group play concludes at the 2021 IRF World Championships

There weren’t any big upsets on the last day of group play in the singles competitions at the 20th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala. In Women’s Singles, Natalia Mendez of Argentina and Cristina Amaya of Colombia faced off with the winner taking Group D, and it went to Mendez by perhaps surprisingly comfortable margin, 15-6, 15-5.

In Group B of Men’s Singles, Rodrigo Montoya of Mexico, the defending Men’s Singles World Champion, won his match on Wednesday, defeating Shai Manzuri, 15-4, 15-9, but because he lost to Andres Acuña of Costa Rica on Monday, Montoya will finish second in the group, which means being the 13th seed for the draw (which could be put on either the top or the bottom of the draw). That placing is going to cause some issues, because either Montoya is going to go out earlier than expected for a defending champion, or he’s going to take someone out earlier than expected.

The singles draws aren’t out yet, but when they appear, we’ll be sure to post them here.

Finally, the live streaming equipment has arrived in Guatemala, so we expect that streaming will begin on Thursday. Check with the IRF website or their social media outlets (IRF on Facebook and @IRFRacquetball on Twitter) for updates on when the streaming will begin.

20th IRF World Championships
November 29-December 6 - Guatemala City, Guatemala

Men's Singles

Group A

Monday

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-5, 15-7

Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) - BYE

Tuesday

Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-14, 3-15, 11-5

Alejandro Landa (USA) - BYE

Wednesday

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-4

Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - BYE

Group B

Monday

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico), 15-5, 15-4

Tuesday

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-2, 15-9

Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE

Wednesday

Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. Shai Manzuri (Argentina), 15-4, 15-9

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE

Group C

Monday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-15, 15-2, 11-2

Kim Mingyu (South Korea) - BYE

Tuesday

Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) d. Kim Mingyu (South Korea), 15-9, 15-14

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE

Wednesday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Kim Mingyu (South Korea), 15-4, 15-2

Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) - BYE

Group D

Monday

Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Francis Guillemette (Canada), 15-4, 15-2
Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. Eoin Tynan (Ireland), 15-1, 15-0

Tuesday

Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Eoin Tynan (Ireland), 15-1, 15-0
Diego Garcia (Argentina) d. Francis Guillemette (Canada), 9-15, 15-3, 11-4

Wednesday

Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Diego Garcia (Argentina), 15-11, 8-15, 11-6
Francis Guillemette (Canada) d. Eoin Tynan (Ireland), 15-5, 15-6

Group E

Monday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-8
Lee Gunhee (South Korea) d. Ken Cottrell (Ireland), 15-14, 15-13

Tuesday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Ken Cottrell (Ireland), 15-5, 15-0
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Lee Gunhee (South Korea), 15-5, 15-3

Wednesday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Lee Gunhee (South Korea), 15-5, 15-6
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Ken Cottrell (Ireland), 15-1, 15-4

Group F

Monday

Mario Mercado (Bolivia) d. Lee Connell (Canada), 15-9, 15-7
Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-4, 15-9

Tuesday

Mario Mercado (Bolivia) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-0, 15-8
Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Lee Connell (Canada), 14-15, 15-11, 11-6

Wednesday

Mario Mercado (Bolivia) d. Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-7
Lee Connell (Canada) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-11, 15-4

Group G

Monday

Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 10-15, 15-13, 11-1
Javier Martinez (Guatemala) d. Pedro Castro (Chile), 12-15, 1-8, injury forfeit

Tuesday

Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. Javier Martinez (Guatemala), 15-7, 15-9
Set Cubillos (Colombia) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 15-6, 15-5

Wednesday

Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile)
Javier Martinez (Guatemala) d. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 7-15, 15-7, 11-6

Women's Singles 

Group A

Monday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Miceala Meneses (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-6

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE

Tuesday

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Miceala Meneses (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-10

Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE

Wednesday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-3

Miceala Meneses (Bolivia) - BYE

Group B

Monday

Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Kelani Lawrence USA), 11-15, 15-7, 11-5

Lee Sumin (South Korea)

Tuesday

Kelani Lawrence (USA) d. Lee Sumin (South Korea), 15-7, 15-4

Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) - BYE

Wednesday

Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Lee Sumin (South Korea), 15-2, 15-0

Kelani Lawrence USA) - BYE

Group C

Monday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Samantha Salas (Mexico), 15-4, 15-12
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Majella Haverty (Ireland), 15-9, 15-3

Tuesday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-8
Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Majella Haverty (Ireland), 15-4, 15-2

Wednesday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Majella Haverty (Ireland), 15-1, 15-0
Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-3, 15-2

Group D

Monday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-10, 15-11
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Aisling Hickey (Ireland)

Tuesday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Aisling Hickey (Ireland), 15-2, 15-5
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 13-15, 15-5, 11-5

Wednesday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-6, 15-5
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Aisling Hickey (Ireland), 15-14, 15-0

Group E

Monday

Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 15-6, 15-3
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Merynanyelly Delagdo (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-11

Tuesday

Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-7
Merynanyelly Delagdo (Dominican Republic) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 15-12, 15-3

Wednesday

Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 15-6, 15-5
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Merynanyelly Delagdo (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-14

Group F

Monday

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Michèle Morissette (Canada), 15-2, 15-3
Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) d. Ayako Hanashi (Japan), 15-13, 9-15, 11-2

Tuesday

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Ayako Hanashi (Japan), 15-2, 15-1
Michèle Morissette (Canada) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia), 15-2, 15-12

Wednesday

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia), 15-0, 15-0
Michèle Morissette (Canada) d. Ayako Hanashi (Japan), 15-5, 11-15, 11-2

Follow the bouncing ball....

Day 1 Singles Results from 2021 IRF World Championships

Rodrigo Montoya of Mexico, the defending International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Men’s Singles World Champion in Men’s Singles, lost his first match in the group stage on Monday to Costa Rican Andres Acuña, 15-5, 15-4, in Group B. The win gives Acuña a good chance to win the group, and claim the #2 seed for the medal round providing he defeats Shai Manzuri of Argentina on Tuesday.

We don't think a reigning World Champion has ever lost a group stage match at Worlds before.

Juan Francisco Cueva of Ecuador almost had another big upset, as he won game one versus American Jake Bredenbeck, 15-11. But Bredenbeck came back in game two winning it 15-2, and then took the tie-breaker 11-2 to prevent the big upset.

The rest of the matches went pretty much according to expectations, except those in Group G. Pedro Castro of Chile had to forfeit his match due to injury, despite winning game one, 15-12, and being up 8-1 in game two against Martinez. Also, Bolivian Luis Aguilar came back from a game down to defeat Set Cubillos of Colombia, 10-15, 15-13, 11-1.

In Women’s Singles, Angelica Barrios of Bolivia upset Mexican Samantha Salas, 15-4, 15-12, in Group C. In Group B, American Kelani Lawrence almost had an upset, as she won the first game versus Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina. But Vargas rallied to win 11-15, 15-7, 11-5.

In Group D, Argentine Natalia Mendez of Argentina defeated American veteran Rhonda Rajsich, 15-10, 15-11, while Colombian Cristina Amaya beat Ireland's Aisling Hickey in two straight games.

No live streaming of matches yet, so it seems that won’t happen until the medal round, which will begin on Thursday. Check with the IRF website or their social media outlets (IRF on Facebook and @IRFRacquetball on Twitter) for updates.

20th IRF World Championships
November 29-December 6 - Guatemala City, Guatemala

Men's Singles

Group A

Monday

Alejandro Landa (USA) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 15-5, 15-7

Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) - BYE

Tuesday

Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic)

Alejandro Landa (USA) - BYE

Group B

Monday

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico), 15-5, 15-4

Tuesday

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Shai Manzuri (Argentina)

Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE

Group C

Monday

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador), 11-15, 15-2, 11-2

Kim Mingyu (South Korea) - BYE

Tuesday

Juan Francisco Cueva (Ecuador) v. Kim Mingyu (South Korea)

Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE

Group D

Monday

Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Francis Guillemette (Canada), 15-4, 15-2
Diego Garcia (Argentina) v. Eoin Tynan (Ireland), 15-1, 15-0

Tuesday

Andree Parrilla (Mexico) v. Eoin Tynan (Ireland)
Diego Garcia (Argentina) v. Francis Guillemette (Canada)

Group E

Monday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-8
Lee Gunhee (South Korea) d. Ken Cottrell (Ireland), 15-14, 15-13

Tuesday

Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Ken Cottrell (Ireland)
Lee Gunhee (South Korea) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)

Group F

Monday

Mario Mercado (Bolivia) d. Lee Connell (Canada), 15-9, 15-7
Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-4, 15-9

Tuesday

Mario Mercado (Bolivia) v. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile)
Juan Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. Lee Connell (Canada)

Group G

Monday

Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 10-15, 15-13, 11-1
Javier Martinez (Guatemala) d. Pedro Castro (Chile), 12-15, 1-8, injury forfeit

Tuesday

Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. Javier Martinez (Guatemala)
Set Cubillos (Colombia) v. Pedro Castro (Chile)

Women's Singles 

Group A

Monday

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Miceala Meneses (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-6

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE

Tuesday

Miceala Meneses (Bolivia) v. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)

Paola Longoria (Mexico) - BYE

Group B

Monday

Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Kelani Lawrence USA), 11-15, 15-7, 11-5

Lee Sumin (South Korea)

Tuesday

Kelani Lawrence USA) v. Lee Sumin (South Korea)

Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) - BYE

Group C

Monday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Samantha Salas (Mexico), 15-4, 15-12
Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Majella Haverty (Ireland), 15-9, 15-3

Tuesday

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador)
Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Majella Haverty (Ireland)

Group D

Monday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-10, 15-11
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Aisling Hickey (Ireland)

Tuesday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. Aisling Hickey (Ireland)
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Rhonda Rajsich (USA)

Group E

Monday

Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 15-6, 15-3
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Merynanyelly Delagdo (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-11

Tuesday

Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Juliette Parent (Canada) v. Merynanyelly Delagdo (Dominican Republic)

Group F

Monday

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Michèle Morissette (Canada), 15-2, 15-3
Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) d. Ayako Hanashi (Japan), 15-13, 9-15, 11-2

Tuesday

Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. Ayako Hanashi (Japan)
Maria Paz Riquelme (Colombia) v. d. Michèle Morissette (Canada)

Follow the bouncing ball....

Scott and Carson win at 2020 USAR National Doubles Championships

Hollie Scott put herself in the driver’s seat to earn a spot on Team USA for the 2020 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in August, as she won Women’s Singles at the 2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships Sunday at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Scott hung on to outlast Erika Manilla, 15-5, 9-15, 11-9, in the final. Players make the Worlds team based on performances at the 2019 US Open, this weekend’s US Team Singles competition, and the 2020 US National Singles Championships in May.

By our calculations, if Scott gets to the final at National Singles, she’ll be on the team. In fact, if she loses in the semi-finals, Scott will still make the team unless Manilla loses the final to either Rhonda Rajsich or Kelani Bailey-Lawrence. Manilla will be on the team if she gets to the final at National Singles.

Both Rajsich and Bailey-Lawrence can get a spot on the team with a win at National Singles. If either fail to win, they will need help to make it.

Rocky Carson won Men’s US Team Singles in Tempe by defeating Alejandro Landa, 15-6, 15-14, in the final. But Landa is still ahead of Carson in the points race for the team, as Landa did much better than Carson at last year’s US Open (a semi-final versus a Round of 16 result). But if either Carson or Landa make the semi-finals, he will be on the team, unless the other one loses to either Jake Bredenbeck and David Horn in the final at National Singles.

A win at National Singles is probably what Bredenbeck or Horn need to get on the team, unless both Carson and Landa lose early at National Singles, which seems unlikely. Thomas Carter or Adam Manilla could make the team with a win at National if either Carson or Landa fail to make the semis.

On the other hand, Charlie Pratt would likely need to win National Singles and have a lot of help, if he’s going to make the Team USA.

If you missed any of the action from Tempe check out the USA Racquetball LiveStream channel. The next USA Racquetball event will be the 2020 National High School Championships in Portland, Oregon, February 26 to March 1. The 2020 USA National Singles Championships will be May 27-31 on the campus of Texas A & M University in College Station, Texas.

2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
February 5-9, 2020 - Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions

Men’s Singles

Final - Sunday

1) Rocky Carson d. 2) Alejandro Landa, 15-6, 15-14

3rd place

3) Jake Bredenbeck v. 4) David Horn, double forfeit

Women's Singles

Final - Sunday

3) Hollie Scott d. 4) Erika Manilla, 15-5, 9-15, 11-9

3rd place

1) Rhonda Rajsich, d. 2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-11, 15-4

Follow the bouncing ball....

Landa & Monchik and Manilla & Ruiz are the 2020 USA National Doubles Champions

Alejandro Landa and Sudsy Monchik won a 3rd straight tie-breaker 11-9, and this victory got them the title at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships Saturday at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, as they won Men’s US Team Qualifying Doubles division with a win over 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final, 15-13, 4-15, 11-9. The win gives them the right to represent the USA at the 2020 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in August.

It will be Monchik’s 2nd consecutive IRF World Championship, as he and Rocky Carson were the US Team that took home silver in Men’s Doubles two years ago in Costa Rica. Landa will represent the USA for the first time, as he recently changed affiliations from Mexico to the USA. Landa is a dual USA-Mexico citizen.

Women’s top seeds Erika Manilla and Aimee Ruiz defeated 3rd seeds Hollie Scott and Lexi York, 15-6, 15-9, to win the Women’s US Team Qualifying Doubles division. It’s the first win for Manilla, but a bit of old hat for Ruiz as it’s her 12th US Women’s Doubles title. Manilla is the fourth partner Ruiz has won with, and is in good company, as Ruiz’s previous partners are Laura Fenton (twice), Jackie Paraiso (5 times), and Janel Tisinger-Ledkins (5 times).

Singles Play

There were two upsets in Women’s Singles, as 4th seed Erika Manilla held on in a tie-breaker to defeat top seed Rhonda Rajsich, 15-3, 12-15, 11-7, and 3rd seed Hollie Scott came back from a game down to defeat 2nd seed Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 12-15, 15-12, 11-3.

But in Men’s Singles, it will be #1 versus #2, as top seed Rocky Carson defeated 4th seed David Horn, 15-4, 8-15, 11-6, and 2nd seed Alejandro Landa beat 3rd seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-4, 15-13.

You can watch the singles finals live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball website. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain Standard Time.

2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
February 5-9, 2020 - Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions

Men's Doubles

Final - Saturday

5) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-13, 4-15, 11-9

Women's Doubles

Final - Saturday

1) Erika Manilla & Aimee Ruiz d. 3) Hollie Scott & Lexi York, 15-6, 15-9

Men’s Singles

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Rocky Carson d. 4) David Horn, 15-4, 8-15, 11-6
2) Alejandro Landa d. 3) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-4, 15-13

Final - Sunday

1) Rocky Carson v. 2) Alejandro Landa - 12:15 PM

Women's Singles

Semi-finals - Saturday

4) Erika Manilla d. 1) Rhonda Rajsich, 15-3, 12-15, 11-7
3) Hollie Scott d. 2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 12-15, 15-12, 11-3

Final - Sunday

3) Hollie Scott v. 4) Erika Manilla - 11:10 AM

Follow the bouncing ball....

Friday results from 2020 USAR National Doubles Championships

Alejandro Landa and Sudsy Monchik knocked off the defending champions Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt, 8-15, 15-9, 11–9, in the semi-finals of Men’s Team Qualifying Doubles at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships Friday at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. They will play 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final on Saturday, as Bredenbeck and Diaz beat 6th seeds Erik Garcia and David Horn, 11-15, 15-5, 11-3, in the other semi-final.

Monchik is one match away from representing the USA at a second consecutive International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championship. Two years ago he and Carson were the US Team that took home silver in Men’s Doubles.

The 2020 USA National Doubles Champions will earn the right to represent their country at the 2020 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in August.

Third seeds Hollie Scott and Lexi York upset 2nd seeds Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sheryl Lotts, 15-8, 15-13, in the semi-finals of Women’s Team Qualifying Doubles. Scott and York will play top seeds Erika Manilla and Aimee Ruiz in the final Saturday. Manilla and Ruiz, the top seeds, beat 4th seeds Jazmin Trevino and Erin Slutzky, 15-7, 15-7, in the other semi-final.

Singles Play

The top four seeds are through to the semi-finals in both Men’s and Women’s National Team Singles. On the men’s side, top seed Rocky Carson beat 8th seed Maurice Miller, 15-6, 15-5, and 2nd seed Alejandro Landa defeated 7th seed Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-4.

In Women's Singles, #1 seed Rhonda Rajsich beat 8th seed Jessica Chen, 15-2, 15-2, and 2nd seed Kelani Bailey Lawrence defeated 7th seed Cassi Lee, 15-6, 15-1.

You can watch some of the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball website. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain Standard Time.

2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
February 5-9, 2020 - Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions

Men's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

5) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik d. 1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt, 8-15, 15-9, 11-9
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 6) Erik Garcia & David Horn, 11-15, 15-5, 11-3

Final - Saturday

2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik - 3:35 PM

Women's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

1) Erika Manilla & Aimee Ruiz d. 4) Jazmin Trevino & Erin Slutzky, 15-7, 15-7
3) Hollie Scott & Lexi York d. 2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts, 15-8, 15-13

Final - Saturday

1) Erika Manilla & Aimee Ruiz v. 3) Hollie Scott & Lexi York - 1:25 PM

Men’s Singles

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson d. 8) Maurice Miller, 15-6, 15-5
4) David Horn d. 12) Mauricio Zelada, 15-10, 15-7

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 6) Thomas Carter, 15-7, 15-5
2) Alejandro Landa d. 7) Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-4

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Rocky Carson v. 4) David Horn - 12:20 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck - 10:10 AM

Women's Singles

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Rhonda Rajsich d. 8) Jessica Chen, 15-2, 15-2
4) Erika Manilla d. 5) Sheryl Lotts, 5-15, 15-7, 11-3

3) Hollie Scott d. 6) Lexi York, 15-8, 15-9
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 7) Cassi Lee, 15-6, 15-1

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 4) Erika Manilla - 11:15 AM
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 3) Hollie Scott - 9:05 AM

Follow the bouncing ball....

Thursday results from 2020 USAR National Doubles Championships

There were a couple of upsets at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships Thursday at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. But is really an upset when the #2 player on the International Racquetball Tour and a racquetball legend win a match?

Alejandro Landa - IRT #2 - and Sudsy Monchik - said legend - were the 5th seeds in Men’s US Team Doubles, and they narrowly beat 4th seeds and former Doubles Champions Jansen Allen and Tony Carson, 13-15, 15-12, 11-9. In the breaker, Landa and Monchik led 3-0, but that was the biggest lead either team had, as it was back and forth the whole way with ties at 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9.

Landa and Monchik got to 9 first, when Landa hit a forehand reverse winner that made it 9-7. Allen and Carson called a timeout at that point, and when play resumed two winners by Carson get them the serve back. They tied it with a winner from Allen and a skip by Landa.

But they lost serve in a weird way. Allen hit a ball that was high, so it came off the back wall - and hit Allen in the back as he crouched down in an attempt to get out of the way. If that wasn’t weird enough, on the next rally the ball found Allen’s racquet a second time after he’d hit it. Thus, Allen - and his racquet - got hit by the ball on consecutive rallies.

That’s not good.

Landa and Monchik took advantage. They got another bit of good fortune on the next rally, when Carson slipped as he was hitting a backhand, which looked like a good set up for him but resulted in a skip. Monchik finished off the match with a backhand reverse pinch shot.

Top seeds and defending Champions, Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt will play Landa and Monchik in the semi-finals Friday. Carson and Pratt beat 9th seeds Robert Collins and Mauricio Zelada, 15-9, 15-3, in the quarters.

Another upset happened on the other side of the men’s draw, when 6th seeds Erik Garcia and David Horn got the better of 3rd seeds Adam Manilla and Nicholas Riffel, 7-15, 15-3, 11-5. Garcia and Horn will play 2nd seeds - and last year’s finalists - Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, who needed a breaker to get past 7th seeds Maurice Miller and Troy Warigon, 15-7, 13-15, 11-7.


In Women’s Doubles, 4th seeds Jazmin Trevino and Erin Slutzky fought off match point to come back and defeat 5th seeds Cassi Lee and Fran Transfiguracion, 3-15, 15-14, 11-8. They will play Erika Manilla and Aimee Ruiz, the top seeds, in the semi-finals on Friday.

The other semi will be 2nd seeds Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sheryl Lotts versus 3rd seeds Hollie Scott and Lexi York, as Scott and York beat 6th seeds Jessica Chen and Graci Wargo, 15-4, 15-3, in the quarters Thursday.

The USA National Doubles Champions will earn the right to represent their country at the 2020 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in August.

Singles Play

In Men’s Team Singles, 12th seed Mauricio Zelada was the big winner, as he knocked off 5th seed Charlie Pratt, 15-12, 15-11, in the Round of 16. Zelada will play 4th seed David Horn in the quarterfinals, as Horn beat 13th seed Troy Warigon, 15-5, 15-4, in the 16s.

No other upsets in the men’s Round of 16. Top seed Rocky Carson beat 16th seed Ben Baron, 15-4, 15-8, and 2nd seed Alejandro Landa defeated 15th seed Justus Benson, 15-7, 15-6.

No upsets in Women’s Team Singles, and the top seeds weren’t in action Thursday. In Friday’s quarterfinals, top seed Rhonda Rajsich will play 8th seed Jessica Chen, who was a winner over 9th seed Graci Wargo, 15-6, 15-11, on Thursday. Second seed Kelani Bailey Lawrence will play 7th seed Cassi Lee Friday, as 7th seed Lee beat 10th seed Jazmin Trevino, 15-9, 15-5, in the Round of 16.

You can watch some of the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball website. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain Standard Time.

2020 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
February 5-9, 2020 - Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions

Men's Doubles

Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt - BYE
9) Robert Collins & Mauricio Zelada d. 8) Thomas Gerhardt & Brent Walters, 15-13, 15-3

5) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik - BYE
4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson - BYE

3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
6) Erik Garcia & David Horn d. 11) Ben Baron & Preston Tribble, 15-3, 15-6

7) Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon v. 10) Justus Benson & Sam Bredenbeck, 15-5, 15-6
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 9) Robert Collins & Mauricio Zelada, 15-9, 15-3
5) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik d. 4) Jansen Allen & Tony Carson, 13-15, 15-12, 11-9

6) Erik Garcia & David Horn d. 3) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel, 7-15, 15-3, 11-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 7) Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon, 15-7, 13-15, 11-7

Semi-finals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 5) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik - 1:25 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 6) Erik Garcia & David Horn - 3:35 PM

Women's Doubles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Erika Manilla & Aimee Ruiz - BYE
4) Jazmin Trevino & Erin Slutzky d. 5) Cassi Lee & Fran Transfiguracion, 3-15, 15-14, 11-8

3) Hollie Scott & Lexi York d. 6) Jessica Chen & Graci Wargo, 15-4, 15-3
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts - BYE

Semi-finals - Friday

1) Erika Manilla & Aimee Ruiz v. 4) Jazmin Trevino & Erin Slutzky - 2:30 PM
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sheryl Lotts v. 3) Hollie Scott & Lexi York - 4:40 PM

Men’s Singles

Round of 32 - Thursday

16) Ben Baron d. 17) Jacob Kingsford, 15-4, 15-3

Men’s Singles

Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson d. 16) Ben Baron, 15-4, 15-8
8) Maurice Miller d. 9) Erik Garcia, 15-12, 5-15, 11-6

12) Mauricio Zelada d. 5) Charlie Pratt, 15-12, 15-11
4) David Horn d. 13) Troy Warigon, 15-5, 15-4

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 14) Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-6
6) Thomas Carter d. 11) Robert Collins, 0-15, 15-7, 11-9

7) Adam Manilla d. 10) Sam Bredenbeck, 15-8, 15-12
2) Alejandro Landa d. 15) Justus Benson, 15-7, 15-6

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson v. 8) Maurice Miller - 6:50 PM
4) David Horn v. 12) Mauricio Zelada - 5:45 PM

3) Jake Bredenbeck v. 6) Thomas Carter - 11:15 AM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 7) Adam Manilla - 6:50 PM

Women's Singles

Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
8) Jessica Chen d. 9) Graci Wargo, 15-6, 15-11

5) Sheryl Lotts d. 12) Estafania Perez, 15-2, 15-4
4) Erika Manilla d. 13) Fran Transfiguracion, 15-6, 15-4

3) Hollie Scott - BYE
6) Lexi York d. Erin Slutzky, 14-15, 15-4, 11-2

7) Cassi Lee d. 10) Jazmin Trevino, 15-9, 15-5
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - BYE

Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 8) Jessica Chen - 12:20 PM
4) Erika Manilla v. 5) Sheryl Lotts - 7:55 PM

3) Hollie Scott v. 6) Lexi York - 12:20 PM
2) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 7) Cassi Lee - 11:15 AM

Follow the bouncing ball....