Championship Sunday
Or can Jack get his elusive first?
IRT FINAL
1:00 P.M. – Stadium Court
Kane Waselenchuk vs. Jack Huczek
How can two players be so similar, yet so different? Both have been ranked No. 1 in the world — Waselenchuk still is. Both were identified early as racquetball prodigies, and both won World Junior Championships — Huczek won many. Both married racquetball players, and both wives are from another country. But these men grew up in different countries, and maybe as a result have different game styles. Huczek is awesome and the textbook example of how you want to play. Waselenchuk is simply amazing and makes shots other players could only dream about.
Yet with all those similarities, they are vastly separated by US OPEN success. Waselenchuk has four titles to his name, while Huczek has none. On Sunday either Waselenchuk will go into the record books as the best men’s player in US OPEN history, or Huczek will take his first title.
In two meetings this year, Waselenchuk has won both. Going back to last season, Waselenchuk has defeated Huczek nine consecutive times. Kane is the only opponent Jack has a losing record against over the last three years. Watch out for who wins the first game, as the winner of that game of every Memphis final has lifted the US OPEN Cup.
Prediction: Kane in 4
Champions will battle it out in
effort to place their name among the All-Time Greats.
WPRO FINAL
11:00 A.M. – Stadium Court
Paola Longoria vs. Rhonda Rajsich
After 47 matches, it all comes down to No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the 2009 US OPEN Women’s Professional Final. For Paola Longoria, a second US OPEN Championship would back up her outstanding 2008-2009 season and solidify her path to becoming one of the best the women’s game has ever seen. For Rhonda Rajsich, her goal is straight forward: Reclaim her spot atop the WPRO Rankings. An added goal for Rhonda is a third US OPEN Championship that would tie the record held by Christie Van Hees.
Paola and Rhonda are very familiar with each other’s games having met in the finals of five WPRO stops last season. Longoria won three of the matches, but each one was a battle. The last of Paola’s three wins over Rhonda was also her last tournament win on tour, a drought since March. Since then, Rhonda has closed the gap in the rankings and also notched a victory at the season opener in Dallas.
Both Paola and Rhonda won five game tiebreakers in the semifinals, but the stamina of these well-fit athletes shouldn’t be an issue. Expect a match of power versus power with the winner being the player who can keep rallies alive and put the ball away when given the opportunity.
Prediction: Rhonda in 4
10:00 A.M. – Stadium Court
Woody Clouse vs. Ruben Gonzalez
In what has become the best rivalry on the CPRT Tour, Woody Clouse and Ruben Gonzalez will meet in the US OPEN CPRT (Men’s 40+) Final. The top two CPRT ranked players met in two finals last season, splitting the matches. Woody’s power game has the slight edge over Ruben’s precision game heading into the final, but as they move to the Stadium Court that advantage may be naturalized. Be sure to grab a seat early, as these two won’t disappoint.
Prediction: Woody in 5
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Player's Guide
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009