Day One - 11/16/05

US OPEN kicks off with a full slate of qualifying matches. Willie Tilton and Woody Clouse are the lone qualifiers to make it into the main draw.

If you came to get your fill of IRT racquetball, today was the day. Matches began at 8:00am. Mike Keddie USA junior team member started things off with his first US OPEN win. Woody Clouse won in three as did Allan Crockett an up and coming junior with a very impressive game. Team Japan faired well in the first round as Takaaki Hirose and Michimune Kono. The only player in the IRT draw from Asia Eunbyung Kim from Seoul advanced winning a tough four gamer.

The second round of qualifying included sixteen matches and some great battles. Allan Crockett survived a tough match against fellow junior Zach Apperson in four. National Junior Champion Chris Coy disposed of Japan Takaaki Hirose in four games delivering a message in the fourth 11-0.Canada’s National Champion won his first US OPEN match in seven years defeating University of Alabama’s Shane Karmelin. Gilberto Meija of Mexico played very well taking his match in four games. He will move on to meet his countryman Alvaro Beltran in the next round. Woody Clouse played tough ball advancing to meet Chris Crothwer in the 64’s. Mike Keddie survived the only five gamer of the afternoon beating Rafael Filippini in a battle. Michimune Kono pulled an upset off taking out Lance Gilliam of Texas in three games.

The round of sixty four started in the afternoon with #4 Jason Mannino finishing off youngster Alex Landa in three easy games. Mannino looks very relaxed and focused as he looks to get his second US OPEN title of his career. He will meet Canada’s Vincent Gagnon from Montreal in his next match. Gagnon advanced by defeating Kris Odegard who is making his second IRT appearance of the season after a three-year layoff. #5 Rocky Carson took out Mike Keddie in three. This was Mike’s first match up against Rocky and said he played tough but Rocky turned it up in the third to another level. Rocky will meet former US OPEN finalist John Ellis next as John won first his match easily. It is great to see “Elli” competing again although his injury-plagued body is making it tough consecutive matches. #6 Alvaro Beltran gave his fellow teammate from Mexico Gilberto Meija a rude welcome to the OPEN winning in three games never missing a backhand splat. Alvaro will meet former top eight IRT pro Mike Green from Canada. This will be one of the matches you won’t want to miss in the 32’s. #2 Jack Huczek moved on easily and will meet Florida’s Andres Ramirez in the next round. #3 Cliff Swain survived a nightmare trip to Memphis yesterday, as many of you did and wasted little time on the court with Ed Willis. Cliff a two time OPEN champion will meet Canada’s top junior player Eric Desrochers. Eric had a battle against University of Memphis star Travis Woodbury winning in five close games. The ageless wonder and true LEGEND of the game Ruben Gonzalez played well and will meet another Canadian Brian Istace, which will be another, don’t miss match tomorrow. Another good match will be #11 Andy Hawthorne against Aaron Granberg who both advanced in three games. #1 Kane Waselenchuk advanced to meet hard-hitting Texan Brian Freedenberg. Brian is known for his hard-hitting style that will be matched by Kane on Thursday. Tournament director and US OPEN founder Doug Ganim is playing some solid ball in his event as he will face off against #8 Mike Guidry. Considered by some as the hardest hitter on the tour right now #12 Josh Tucker will have a rematch against Mexico’s Javier Moreno. Both players won easily today. Javier a former University of Memphis team member defeated Tucker last weekend in Chihuahua at an IRT satellite event. This will be a true war at 10:20am. Thursday. #9 Jason Thoerner will meet Polo Gutierrez of Juarez Mexico as neither player was challenged in their earlier matches. WillieTilton upset #10 Kyle Veenstra last year’s US OPEN quarterfinalist in five games. Willie will take on Japan’s finest Hiroshi Shimizu. Shimizu barely got by tough Shannon Kohl in five games. #7 Shane Vanderson ended Chris Coy’s US OPEN run winning in three and he will meet University of Colorado’s Gil De Los Rios on Thursday at 12:40pm. The match of the evening was Woody Clouse upsetting #13 Chris Crowther in five games. Crowther the tallest player on the IRT hits the ball with some authority but Clouse was able to handle it amazingly well especially it being his third match of the day and being a young forty years of age. Two time US junior national and World Champion #15 Ben Croft had an easier time than expected against Canada’s Corey Osbourne winning in three to meet Juan Herrera of Colombia Thursday at 12:40pm. Matches ended late Wednesday evening at 11:30 leaving the fans with all they could ask for at these years Choice Hotels US OPEN.

Side notes;

There were great crowds all day to cheer on their favorite IRT stars. The players definitely appreciate your support.

Welcome new sponsors Nuveen and Nikon to the Choice Hotels US OPEN Racquetball Championships and thank your for your support of the IRT

A great job by Otto Dietrich on the announcing the matches all day.

Thanks to Ed Willis for not only running the IRT tournament desk but taking the time to hit with Cliff Swain tonight.

Look for your free IRT poster at the ticket table and have it signed by all the IRT stars.

Match ups to watch on Thursday besides the top eight:

Brian Istace vs. Ruben Gonzalez 11:30am

Andy Hawthorne vs. Aaron Granberg 11:30am

Javier Moreno vs. Josh Tucker 10:20am

Day Two - 11/17/05

Day two for the IRT at the Choice Hotels US OPEN

What another great day of racquetball for the IRT and it’s fans here today at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Matches began at 10:30am today with a few upsets as Javier Moreno defeated #12 Josh Tucker in a four game battle to meet up with #5 Rocky Carson. Rocky started shaky in this match losing the first two but settled in and took the last three to advance to the quarterfinals. Ben Croft had a barn burner with Colombia’s Juan Herrera which was the loudest fan match of the day Croft survived to meet #2 Jack Huczek and had very little success as Jack won in three. Mitch Williams advanced after a very late match Wednesday evening then coming back today and taking out a very tough Alejandro Herrera to met up with

#1 Kane Waselenchuk. Kane showed why his the best in the world as he controlled the match advancing to the next round. #11 Andy Hawthorne won a close played match against Aaron Granberg in five and faced off against #6 Alvaro Beltran. Alvaro’s game was a little off today as Andy was able to put some pressure on him although it was not enough as Beltran moves on to play Friday winning in three games. #4 Jason Mannino played one of the surprises of the event unseeded Woody Clouse. Woody gave it all he had but Jason was too much and wins easily in three straight. Willie Tilton was the other surprise in the IRT field beating Japan’s best Hiroshi Shimizu then met up with #7 Shane Vanderson. Willie was no match for Shane as he welcomed Willie to the IRT with a three game defeat. #9 Jason Thoerner got off the court late Wednesday evening playing some good ball but did not have it today against Polo Gutierrez as Polo pulled off an upset in four games. Polo continued his hot play battling #8 Mike Guidry. Polo took a 2-1 lead. Guidry fought back to win game four 12-10 only to be upset in the end as Polo pulls off the biggest upset of the event and carries on as last year with a relative unknown in the quarterfinals of the OPEN.

The real match of the day was the true LEGEND of the sport Ruben Gonzalez against Canada’s Brian Istace. Ruben lost the first game close 12-10. Still battling at the age of 53 he lost the second 11-2 but found something inside to come back and take the third to Istace’s surprise 11-1. Ruben took a commanding lead in the fourth only to see Brian whittle away at the lead and eventually go up 12-11. The next point show the class and sportsmanship that makes Ruben a true LEGEND as he call an avoidable hinder on himself as he trying to clear on a ball was hit right at him that gave the match to Istace. A lot can be said about the nature of the game as it is played nowadays on the IRT but Ruben Gonzalez showed that integrity and respect are still there for the game he loves to play.

There will be some great matches for Friday’s quarterfinals as seven of the top eight seeds advanced as predicted. #4 Mannino will meet #5 Carson in the first match on Friday and we will see if Jason stays focused as he pursues his second OPEN title. Rocky will have to bring the “A” game for sure. #3 Swain will have his hands full with #6 Beltran. Will Beltran’s patented pinches be on or will Swain’s explosive serves prevail? Shane Vanderson will try and do something he has yet to achieve, defeat his nemesis #2 Jack Huczek. Jack looked very relaxed in his previous matches and will be tough as nails tomorrow as he seeks his first title here in Memphis. And what about the reigning champion Kane? Will he continue his dominance on the show court as he has in the past or will unknown Polo Gutierrez be able to do the unthinkable and bring down the best? To get the answers to these questions be there tomorrow, prime time on center court.

 
Kane Waselenchuk vs Mitch Williamsphoto courtesy of Chuck "City" Meredith

Day Three - 11/18/05

Day Three - The IRT Quarterfinals

Well you wanted it you got it! What an unbelievable display from the IRT professionals today. It started from the second rally in the Mannino/Carson match with at least eight diving gets to start the match. #5 Rocky Carson came out firing on all cylinders in the first game playing flawless racquetball. Everything Jason threw at him came back a winner. Jason the professional that his is came back strong and confident to take the next two games. Great gets by both players and shot selection was near perfect in the following two games. Rocky took an early lead in the fifth only to have Jason close the gap. It was close and intense to the end with Carson pulling off the upset win taking the fifth and deciding game 11-9. This match would set the tone the tone for the next match up featuring #3 Cliff Swain and #6 Alvaro Beltran. Beltran just recently defeated Cliff in a satellite event in Mexico so you knew from the start that this would mean revenge for Swain. Ironicly, these two were doubles partners in the IRT Chicago Open doubles event this October where they were victorious and now they are at war against each other. Nothing but pure intensity and the will to win by both of these players as the crowd left their feet most of the match. Swain would come out a little shaky the first with Beltran putting constant pressure on Cliff to take game one. The players would trade games bringing the match to a fifth game. Beltran would take the lead at 10-9 only to see Swain hit three amazing shots to close out the match and move on to the semi-finals on Saturday. #2 Jack Huczek and #7 Shane Vanderson would follow these two great matches and not disappoint the fans. Both players traded points and great rallies especially at 9-9 when Shane made three unbelievable diving gets bringing the crowd to their feet. Jack would kill the last shot of the rally and close out the first. Jack looked in total control in the second and it looked bleak for Vanderson. Shane got his drive serve going in the third and a surprised Huczek got behind early and never recovered to losing the third. Huczek came out firing in the fourth and would take the fourth in a confident fashion and move on to meet Swain in a rematch of last years semi-final match here at the OPEN. As #27 Polo Gutierrez entered the stadium court you would have to wonder what would be going on in this young man’s mind as he makes his first appearance in the big show against the best in the world #1 Kane Waselenchuk. As expected Kane played hard and Polo gave it his all but it was not near enough as Kane put and end to Polo’s great run here in Memphis winning in three straight to take on Rocky Carson in the other semifinal match up Saturday.

The fans were treated to the IRT Champions Clinic put on by IRT stars Jason Mannino, Cliff Swain, Mike Guidry and Rocky Carson. Questions were taken from the crowd and answered by the pros as the fans listened intently. It was very informative and educational as some great questions were asked.

Tomorrows matches should prove to be very exciting as we see if #2 Jack Huczek can reach his first US OPEN final or will the ageless warrior #3 Cliff Swain has what it takes to get back to the finals for a second straight year. #1Kane Waselenchuk will be facing off against #5 Rocky Carson who did bring his “A” game today. Will Kane continue his dominance on the stadium court? Don’t miss these great matches today prime time on center court.

Day Four 11/19/05

Day four with the IRT - one word to describe it AWESOME!

What can we say, today’s semi final match between #3 Cliff Swain and #2 Jack Huczek was unbelievable, two and one half hours of pure, raw intensity. The match started out with a dominating performance by Huczek and with Cliff on his heals making many unforced errors. Jack came out with his great rally playing ability and capitalized on all of Cliff’s mistakes winning the first game 11-0. Jack kept up the intensity as continued some stellar play winning the second 11-4. Then the tide turned Jack began with some unforced errors and Cliff took advantage. Swain found that extra something and forged ahead to win the third 11-4. Game four was a pivotal game and would prove costly for Jack. After coming back and regrouping Huczek took a commanding lead only to see Swain fight and claw his way back in and eventually take game four from Jack 11-9. It was all Swain in the fifth as the serve heated up and he advances to his second straight US OPEN final. A very gutsy performance by which some might call the greatest to ever play the game.

Match number two was a mirror image of the first. Rocky Carson came out to play today and it showed in the first game when he handed Kane his first losing game in two years on the US OPEN stage. Rocky did not miss in this game winning it 11-6. Waselenchuk would regroup and come out firing from everywhere on the court keeping Carson in the backcourt for these two games winning 11-6,11-3. Rocky would find his serve in the fourth and some rare errors by Kane would force a game five with Carson winning this game 11-6. Getting behind early was Carson as this looked like it would be over quick as Kane took a 10-5 lead. Out of nowhere Rocky found something inside and fought back one point at a time and before Kane new it was all even at 10. Kane had five chances at ten to take the game to no avail. The crowd began chanting “Rocky, Rocky” which definitely gave Carson some extra incentive to try and steal this one from under Kane’s feet. True champions find some way to hit that winning shot when they need it most and that is what happened as Kane hit the winner to give him a place in racquetball history advancing to his third straight US OPEN final and a possible three-peat.

Fans in the stands were able to witness some of the most incredible racquetball that has ever been played here the last three days. As the stands cleared after the second match you could hear people saying awesome, totally awesome, or that was unbelievable. It seemed that all of the big matches lived up to their billing. How much more can we expect in Sunday’s final that we have not already seen? You can bet that both Kane and Cliff after a little more in their sticks and will be ready to give you their best tomorrow, primetime on center court. Don’t miss it!!!!

Final Day 11/20/05

US Open Racquetball Championships Article

Waslenchuk, Van Hees Win US OPEN Racquetball Titles

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Kane Waselenchuk (Austin, Texas) and Christie Van Hees (Kelowna, B.C.) won the men’s and women’s pro singles titles at the 2005 Choice Hotels US OPEN Racquetball Championships Sunday. For Waselenchuk it was his record third US OPEN title in a row. Van Hees recorded her second US OPEN title, matching Cheryl Gudinas (2004, 2002 - Lisle, Ill.) and Jackie Rice (1998, 1999 - Ramona, Calif.) for the most women’s titles.

Waselenchuk had to work a little harder this year, but was still able to capture his third straight US OPEN title in a rematch of last year’s final against No.3 Cliff Swain (Braintree, Mass.) in which he won, 11-1, 11-3, 11-0. Although Waselenchuk also defeated Swain in straight games this year, the final two games could have gone either way, 11-5, 12-10, 12-10.

“I could have easily been up two games to one, but instead I lost in three,” Swain said after his match. “I felt good and my swing felt good, but when I hit shots, they just didn’t go where I wanted them to.”

Waselenchuk not only had to work hard against Swain, but was tested Saturday evening by Rocky Carson in a five-game match as well. Because he didn’t get to blow through the draw as he did a year ago when he didn’t lose a game, Waselenchuk says he will savor this US OPEN title a little more.

“I think that the five gamer with Rocky (Carson) really woke me up and put me in my place,” he said. “Even though I won the final in three, Cliff (Swain) made me feel like I earned it.”

Top seeded Van Hees captured her second career US OPEN title by defeating No.3 Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, Ariz.) in four games. Rajsich took the first game 13-11, before Van Hees settled into a groove winning the next three easily, 11-4, 11-5, and 11-4.

“I felt great heading into the match today, but was a little tight out there in the beginning,” said Van Hees.“ Someone told be to relax and have fun between games and I realized that they were right.”

Van Hees retired for two years shortly after winning the US OPEN in 2000 and has now come full circle by first regaining the number one ranking and now the sport’s most prestigious title.

“I’m enjoying this one a hundred times more than the first one,” she said. “I am more mature on the court and just happier with life in general.”

2005 Choice Hotels US OPEN Racquetball Championships

Final Results

Men’s Pro

(1) Kane Waselenchuk (Edmonton, Alberta) def. (3) Cliff Swain (Braintree, Mass.) 11-5, 12-10, 12-10

Women’s Pro

(1) Christie Van Hees (Kelowna, B.C.) def. (3) Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, Ariz.) 11-13, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4.

Article courtesy of Ryan John