IRT - Mexico Open

February 28th, 2007 by Geoff Thomsen

The big guns on the IRT just finished another pro stop this past weekend in Tijuana, Mexico at the Mexico Open Racquetball Championships.  The upsets started rolling in as early as the 16’s with tour up-and-comer Ben Croft making some big waves.  Ben is usually in a top qualifier stop due to his rank on the tour, but this tournament he took it a step farther to defeat Jason Thoerner in the 16’s (6, 1, (9), 1).  Next on Croft’s menu was Jason Mannino, who currently holds the number two ranking on the tour.  The two would battle for a full five games, before Croft claimed victory 11-2 in game five.  The rest of the quarterfinal matchups followed the seeded players.

Quarterfinal Results
Jack Huczek def. Mitch Williams 8, 4, 2
Alvaro Beltran def. Chris Crowther 3, 7, 9
Rocky Carson def. Shane Vanderson 10, 2, 3
Ben Croft def. Jason Mannino (7), 4, (3), 8, 2

The semifinals turned out to be quick three-games, with superstar Jack Huczek finishing off the hometown hero, and Rocky Carson bringing a quick end to Ben Croft’s Cinderella trip to the semis.

Semifinal Results
Rocky Carson def. Ben Croft 8, 5, 1
Jack Huczek def. Alvaro Beltran 10, 9, 4

From IRT-Tour.com:

Semifinal 1 - Huczek vs. Beltran

Game one - Huczek 12-10
They were hanging from the rafters here to cheer for the second semi as the hometown boy Alvaro Beltran entered the stadium court to meet Jack Huczek. This is a rematch of the Seattle semi last weekend. Jack would come out strong moving Beltran deep and making him shoot some tough shots. Huczek would take a 8-4 lead and but Beltran would mount a comeback which would bring the crowd alive. A big backhand splat would bring Beltran to 7-10 and then a diving right corner pinch would tie it at 10 bringing the crowd to a frenzy. Huczek would weather the storm and crowd to close out game one with two forehand kills

Game two - Huczek 11-9
This game began the same as the first with Huczek going out ahead early 6-1 and Beltran coming back much to the delight of the crowd to tie it up. Beltran began pounding the lines and but struggled to hit the winner. Huczek stayed poise and composed despite a very loud and biased crowd.Return of serve was the name of this game and as both players used a high lob bouncing just over the short line. An avoidable on Beltran gave Huczek a two point lead as the momentum began to go Jack’s way. Two back hand skips at game point would give Beltran life. The crowd tried to get Alvaro back in the game but it was not enough as Huczek takes game two

Game three - Huczek 11-4
Jack continued his stellar play in the game as Alvaro search for a way to put to together a run of points. With Huczek in the box at 8-4 the homecourt became friendly to Huczek. A crack on the right and then a crack on the front left corner went Huczek’s way. This silenced the crowd as Huczek put away a forehand to end the game and match and will meet Rocky Carson in the Sunday final.

Semifinal 2 - Carson vs. Croft

Game one- 11-8 Carson
Rocky took an early 6-0 lead as Croft shook off his first semi jitters. Ben came back strong to close the gap at 7-6 only to have Rocky finish out the game on some great straight in kills. Rocky mixed up the serve and shots hitting 200mph missiles and then showing his touch. Ben got his drive serve going towards the end of the game.

Game two - 11-5 Carson
Rocky continued his “rope a dope” style of play hitting an array of z-shots and around the wall balls to keep Ben off balance this game. Croft struggled to get into a rhythm and had to shoot most balls from the back court. Rocky played very poised and in control.

Game three - 11-1 Carson
Rocky continued to keep Ben deep this game and Croft could not find a way to move Carson out of the front court. Croft’s magic would run out as his great tournament run would come to an end as Carson moves on to his second final in a row.
6:00pm Jack Huczek vs Alvaro Beltran

The finals would pit long time rivals Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson against each other once again.  Rocky has just been starting to make some waves with his new sponsor, Ektelon, and was looking to “hang 10″ in Tijuana.  Jack Huczek would have no part in it however, and defeated Rocky in three straight games.

Finals Results
Jack Huczek def. Rocky Carson 5, 7, 9

From IRT-Tour.com:

Finals - Huczek def. Carson

Game One- Huczek 11-5
The Rio Racquetball Rio club was full of life even without their hometown hero Alvaro Beltran absent from the finals as Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson entered the court in front of the large crowd here in Tijuana. The rematch of last weekend’s final in Seattle would have a different start as Huczek came out looking to avenge his loss to Rocky in Seattle. Huczek was all business in the first and Rocky looked a little off as he could not keep Jack in the backcourt and also had a few unforced errors. Huczek would take game one in convincing fashion.

Game two - Huczek 11-7
The start of game two was much of the same as Carson really could not put together a streak as Huczek runs out to a 5-1 lead. A forehand kill down the right wall and a two fist show of emotion ignites the crowd and another long rally goes Carson’s way to close the gap to 5-3. A few rare backhand skips by Jack allows Rocky to get back in the box and go to the half lob z serve to the backhand of Huczek. After a few hinder balls Huczek returned to serve and put together a run to go ahead 9-4. Huczek would finish out game two on two Carson skips.

Game three - Huczek 11-9
After a pep talk from his wife Jennifer, Rocky came out on fire to start the third. Playing with a different focus, Rocky changed his game style and began killing balls to go up 6-0. Jack continued with the high lob nick to Rocky’s backhand and went back to work being patient and hitting the setups off of Rocky’s returns and would tie it up at 6-6. Three great rallies would follow and Jack would capitalize to go ahead 10-6. Rocky would get to the box one more time and put together a streak of three points igniting the crowd once again with “Rocky,Rocky’Rocky” chants but a big backhand skip would allow Jack the opportunity to close out the game.

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