Round of 32 at the 2023 IRT Longhorn Open

There were a few upsets in the Round of 32 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas on Friday, but only one was in a completed match. Alan Natera came back to defeat 13th seed Sebastian Fernandez, 9-15, 15-14, 11-9. That’s two three game matches in a row, and he’ll play his third match of the day tonight, when he faces 4th seed Eduardo Portillo. That’s a lot of racquetball.

Anthony Martin may be the most fortunate player in the draw, as he’s into the Round of 16, but hasn’t hit a ball yet. He had a default win over 11th seed Sebastian Franco today after having a default win over Mauricio Zelada yesterday. We’ll see if Martin’s luck holds up tonight, when he plays 6th seed Jake Bredenbeck.

Jaime Martell also benefitted from a forfeit against 14th seed Eduardo Garay Friday, and he’ll play 3rd seed Conrrado Moscoso in the 16s tonight.

Gerson Miranda Martinez - one of the qualifiers we highlighted earlier - almost made the Round of 16, but fell to 16th seed Erick Trujillo, 12-15, 15-7, 11-5. Trujillo will play IRT #1 Daniel De La Rosa tonight.

You can see some of the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins Friday night at 7:25 PM. The quarterfinals will be Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM and 2:45 PM with the semi-finals at 7:35 PM and 8:35 PM. The final is Sunday at noon. The doubles competition begins Friday afternoon at 4:15 and 5:25. All times Central.

2023 IRT Longhorn Open
January 5-8, 2023 - Austin, Texas

Men’s Singles

Round of 32 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
16) Erick Trujillo d. Gerson Miranda Martinez, 12-15, 15-7, 11-5

9) Adam Manilla d. Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr., 15-12, 15-5
8) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE

5) Alejandro Landa - BYE
12) Thomas Carter d. Sam Bredenbeck, 15-11, 15-7

Alan Natera d. 13) Sebastian Fernandez, 9-15, 15-14, 11-9
4) Eduardo Portillo - BYE

3) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
Jaime Martell d. 14) Eduardo Garay, forfeit

Anthony Martin d. 11) Sebastian Franco, forfeit
6) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE

7) Mario Mercado - BYE
10) Andrés Acuña d. Diego Garcia, 15-11, 15-7

15) Javier Mar d. Jose Carlos Ramos, 15-6, 15-7
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE

Round of 16 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa v. 16) Erick Trujillo - 8:20 PM
8) Rodrigo Montoya v. 9) Adam Manilla - 7:25 PM

5) Alejandro Landa v. 12) Thomas Carter - 7:25 PM
4) Eduardo Portillo v. Alan Natera - 7:25 PM

3) Conrrado Moscoso v. Jaime Martell - 8:20 PM
6) Jake Bredenbeck v. Anthony Martin - 8:20 PM

7) Mario Mercado v. 10) Andrés Acuña - 8:20 PM
2) Andree Parrilla v. 15) Javier Mar - 7:25 PM

Men’s Doubles

Round of 16 - Friday

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
8) Thomas Carter & Andree Parrilla v. 9) Robert Collins & Mauricio Zelada - 4:15 PM

5) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 12) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez - 4:15 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa & Sebastian Fernandez v. 13) Eridson Lopez & Josue Perdomo - 4:15 PM

3) Andrés Acuña & Eduardo Portillo v. 14) Elias Nieto & Jose Carlos Ramos - 5:25 PM
6) Sebastian Franco & Eduardo Garay v. 11) Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr. - 5:25 PM

7) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Cuevas Fernandez - 5:25 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Conrrado Moscoso - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Surprise results in first rounds of 2023 Longhorn Open

The two top seeds in qualifying both lost their first matches at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Longhorn Open in Austin, Texas Friday morning. Robert Collins, IRT #22, lost to Gerson Miranda Martinez, 15-9, 9-15, 11-5, and IRT #24 Erick Cuevas Fernandez, was beaten by Jose Carlos Ramos, 15-10, 15-11. Ramos is ranked #137 and Miranda is unranked, so these are surprise wins.

Both Ramos and Miranda had to win yesterday to play today, so when they play in the Round of 32 this afternoon, it will be their third matches of the tournament. Miranda will take on 16th seed Erick Trujillo, while Ramos faces 15th seed Javier Mar.

Some of the other matches in the 32s should also be interesting, as two 10th seed Andrés Acuña plays Diego Garcia, lefty Thomas Carter faces Sam Bredenbeck, Eduardo Garay is up against Jaime Martell, and Sebastian Fernandez plays Alan Natera, who needed a tie-breaker to advance, holding on to defeat Elias Nieto, 15-6, 11-15, 11-3, Friday morning.

You can see some of the Longhorn Open action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The Round of 32 begins Friday morning with the Round of 16 Friday night from 7:25 PM. The quarterfinals will be Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM and 2:45 PM with the semi-finals at 7:35 PM and 8:35 PM. The final is Sunday at noon. The doubles competition begins Friday afternoon at 4:15 and 5:25. All times Central.

2023 IRT Longhorn Open
January 5-8, 2023 - Austin, Texas

Men’s Singles

Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday

Robert Collins - BYE
Gerson Miranda Martinez d. Josue Perdomo, 15-3, 15-3

Cole Cendrey - BYE
Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr - BYE

Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Diego Gastelum - BYE

Elias Nieto d. Scott McClellan, 15-10, 15-7
Alan Natera - BYE

Jaime Martell - BYE
Carlos Ramirez d. Diego Romano, 11-15, 15-8, 11-6

Anthony Martin - BYE
Mauricio Zelada - BYE

Diego Garcia - BYE
Alejandro Cardona - BYE

Jose Carlos Ramos d. Eridson Lopez, 15-0, 15-2
Erick Cuevas Fernandez - BYE

Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday / Friday

Q1: Gerson Miranda Martinez d. Robert Collins, 15-9, 9-15, 11-5
Q8: Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr d. Cole Cendrey, 15-10, 15-2

Q5: Sam Bredenbeck d. Diego Gastelum, 15-12, 15-8
Q4: Alan Natera d. Elias Nieto, 15-6, 11-15, 11-3

Q3: Jaime Martell d. Carlos Ramirez, 15-1, 15-4
Q6: Anthony Martin d. Mauricio Zelada, forfeit

Q7: Diego Garcia d. Alejandro Cardona, 15-14, 15-10
Q2: Jose Carlos Ramos d. Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 15-10, 15-11

Round of 32 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
16) Erick Trujillo v. Gerson Miranda Martinez - 1:50 PM

9) Adam Manilla v. Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr - 11:25 AM
8) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE

5) Alejandro Landa - BYE
12) Thomas Carter v. Sam Bredenbeck - 11:20 AM

13) Sebastian Fernandez v. Alan Natera - 1:50 PM
4) Eduardo Portillo - BYE

3) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
14) Eduardo Garay v. Jaime Martell - 1:50 PM

11) Sebastian Franco v. Anthony Martin - 11:35 AM
6) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE

7) Mario Mercado - BYE
10) Andrés Acuña v. Diego Garcia - 10:35 AM

15) Javier Mar v. Jose Carlos Ramos - 1:50 PM
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE

Men’s Doubles

Round of 16 - Friday

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
8) Thomas Carter & Andree Parrilla v. 9) Robert Collins & Mauricio Zelada - 4:15 PM

5) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 12) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez - 4:15 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa & Sebastian Fernandez v. 13) Eridson Lopez & Josue Perdomo - 4:15 PM

3) Andrés Acuña & Eduardo Portillo v. 14) Elias Nieto & Jose Carlos Ramos - 5:25
6) Sebastian Franco & Eduardo Garay v. 11) Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr. - 5:25 PM

7) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Cuevas Fernandez - 5:25 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Conrrado Moscoso - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Preview of 2023 IRT Longhorn Open

It’s the first weekend of 2023, and time for the first International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event of the 2023 season. Thirty six IRT players are in the Longhorn Open draw in Austin, Texas, including the top five players, led by IRT #1 Daniel De La Rosa. He won two IRT events last year, as did IRT #3 Conrrado Moscoso, who was also won the 2022 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Men’s Singles World Championship.

But it’s Jake Bredenbeck who has a chance to win back to back events this weekend, as he won the John Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon last month. That was Bredenbeck’s first IRT win. He’s seeded 6th this week, and could face Moscoso in the quarterfinals.

They are also playing doubles in Austin, where former IRF Men's Doubles World Champions Javier Mar and Rodrigo Montoya are the top seeds. Alejandro Landa and Moscoso are the 2nd seeds. Andrés Acuña and Eduardo Portillo are 3rd seeds with De La Rosa and Sebastian Fernandez 4th seeds. De La Rosa and Fernandez could face the Bredenbeck brothers - Jake and Sam, the 5th seeds - in the quarterfinals.

There are a few players missing this weekend. Veterans Alvaro Beltran and Kane Waselenchuk are both out with injuries, and Rocky Carson and Samuel Murray are also absent. But 15 of the top 22 players are in Austin, so there will be plenty of good matches going on this weekend.

Overall, 381 players will compete in at the Longhorn Open, making it one of the biggest tournaments of the year.

You can see some of the IRT action via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. Qualifying rounds begin Thursday from 3 PM with final qualifying Friday morning. The Round of 32 starts late Friday morning with the Round of 16 Friday night from 7:25 PM. The quarterfinals will be Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM and 2:45 PM with the semi-finals at 7:35 PM and 8:35 PM. The final is Sunday at noon. All times Central.

2023 IRT Longhorn Open
January 5-8, 2023 - Austin, Texas

Men’s Singles

Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday

Robert Collins - BYE
Josue Perdomo v. Gerson Miranda Martinez - 3 PM

Cole Cendrey - BYE
Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr - BYE

Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
Diego Gastelum - BYE

Scott McClellan v. Elias Nieto - 5 PM
Alan Natera - BYE

Jaime Martell - BYE
Carlos Ramirez v. Diego Romano - 5 PM

Anthony Martin - BYE
Mauricio Zelada - BYE

Diego Garcia - BYE
Alejandro Cardona - BYE

Eridson Lopez v. Jose Carlos Ramos - 3 PM
Erick Cuevas Fernandez - BYE

Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday / Friday

Robert Collins v. Josue Perdomo or Gerson Miranda Martinez - 9:45 AM Friday
Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr v. Cole Cendrey - 4 PM Thursday

Sam Bredenbeck v. Diego Gastelum - 5 PM Thursday
Alan Natera v. Scott McClellan v. Elias Nieto - 9:45 AM Friday

Jaime Martell v. Carlos Ramirez v. Diego Romano - 9:45 AM Friday
Mauricio Zelada v. Anthony Martin - 4 PM Thursday

Diego Garcia v. Alejandro Cardona - 4 PM Thursday
Erick Cuevas Fernandez v. Eridson Lopez v. Jose Carlos Ramos - 9:45 AM Friday

Round of 32 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
16) Erick Trujillo v. Q1 - 1:50 PM

9) Adam Manilla v. Q8 - 11:25 AM
8) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE

5) Alejandro Landa - BYE
12) Thomas Carter v. Q5 - 11:20 AM

13) Sebastian Fernandez v. Q4 - 1:50 PM
4) Eduardo Portillo - BYE

3) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE
14) Eduardo Garay v. Q3 - 1:50 PM

11) Sebastian Franco v. Q6 - 11:35 AM
6) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE

7) Mario Mercado - BYE
10) Andrés Acuña v. Q7 - 10:35 AM

15) Javier Mar v. Q2 - 1:50 PM
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE

Men’s Doubles

Round of 16 - Friday

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
8) Thomas Carter & Andree Parrilla v. 9) Robert Collins & Mauricio Zelada - 4:15 PM

5) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 12) Diego Garcia & Gerson Miranda Martinez - 4:15 PM
4) Daniel De La Rosa & Sebastian Fernandez v. 13) Eridson Lopez & Josue Perdomo - 4:15 PM

3) Andrés Acuña & Eduardo Portillo v. 14) Elias Nieto & Jose Carlos Ramos - 5:25
6) Sebastian Franco & Eduardo Garay v. 11) Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr. - 5:25 PM

7) Adam Manilla & Mario Mercado v. 10) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Cuevas Fernandez - 5:25 PM
2) Alejandro Landa & Conrrado Moscoso - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….