Cheryl Gudinas Holmes versus Christie Van Hees
Cheryl began this match with a short serve, and that gave Christie a little momentum out of the gate. Jumping ahead 2-0 and then 5-2, it looked like Christie would be more than happy to relive last year’s final. However, Cheryl had other ideas and came back to tie the score each time. Tied at 5, Christie decided it was time to take one more lead and once she had it she closed it out.
That only served to fire Cheryl up. She’s been playing very well in recent events and that certainly continued today. The players took turns grabbing one point leads early in Game 2 until Cheryl led 4-3. At that point, there was a close call on the left side wall. That particular call went Christie’s way, but Cheryl used that and regained the momentum quickly. She built her lead to 7-3 before Christie was able to get the service back. Cheryl then kept the pressure up and built her advantage to 10-5. Christie then went on a run to bring it back to 9-10, but that was as close as she would get. Cheryl closed it out on her next service to even the game count at 1.
Each player knew they needed game three to put additional pressure on their opponent, and both players came out firing. Cheryl built a quick 2-0 lead, but Christie came right back and strung together five points for a 5-2 lead. Cheryl then pushed it up to another level and stormed back with nine straight points to close it out.
Cheryl now sensed her moment, but Christie came out for a quick 2-0 lead. Cheryl erased that right away with four straight points. At that point, they started trading points with some amazing shots. At 10-8, Cheryl served another short serve, but quickly regrouped with a side out. She would end in on her next serve and now looks forward to another championship final on the stadium court at the 12th Choice Hotels US OPEN.
Rhonda Rajsich versus Angela Grisar
This one started fairly slow as both players adapted to their surroundings on the stadium court. Eventually Rhonda put a run together to grab a 7-1 lead, but Angela started to calm her nerves and got back into the game at 4-7. Playing on the stadium court seemed to hinder Angela’s usual precise shots as she had a few serves go out of bounds on the fly for side outs and Rhonda continued to take advantage. Building her lead, very slowly Rhonda inched her way to game one 11-7.
Game two was a back and forth affair as Angela was able to grab her first lead of the match. Playing very controlled and smooth, she built a 7-3 lead before she stalled. Rhonda increased the pressure with some incredible diving kills and was able to end the game with an 8-1 run.
Rhonda’s momentum seemed to be building but Angela refused to go down without a fight. She grabbed a quick 2-0 lead, but now Rhonda sensed her opportunity. She knew she didn’t want to let Angela get comfortable and she moved the score to 2-2 with another great show of athleticism. Angela briefly grabbed a 3-2 lead, but once Rhonda got the lead back, she wouldn’t give it up. 11-3 to Rhonda and onward to the finals here at the 12th Choice Hotels US OPEN Racquetball Championships.
Rocky Carson vs Jason Mannino
Rocky came into this one very focused. Brimming with confidence from his recent win in Albuquerque combined with his first Grand Slam title in Colorado Springs, he could see the ultimate prize out there and he decided to grab it. keeping Jason on the defensive from the outset, Rocky stormed out to a 2 games lead. But Stadium Court at the Racquet Club of Memphis is like a second home for Jason and he wasn’t about to let some outsider in. Being the only former champion in the draw, he didn’t want to see someone else’s name go on the Silver Champions Cup and he blitzed Rocky in the third game 11-1. The crowd started to sense a comeback, but it was not to be. Rocky regrouped and managed to pull out a point for point battle in the 4th game to take the match and earn his second successive Choice Hotels US OPEN Final berth.
Jack Huczek vs Shane Vanderson
Shane had another amazing battle with Alvaro yesterday, and that seemed to take something out of him. And when you have to play the number 1 player that’s not a good thing. Jack took advantage of a slightly sluggish Shane and closed this one in 3. Shane did put up a good fight and probably should have won the second, but Jack proved that his ranking is a true reflection of his character. He’s onto the final tomorrow of the 12th Choice Hotels US OPEN.
November 17th, 2007
by Adam Katz
Here’s a flashback from the 2005 US Open - Rocky Carson backstage being interviewed by Shawn Royster for the Tennis Channel Production of the event. Rocky would go on to what many would call the best match of the event; with his incredible game 5 comeback against Kane Waselenchuk in the semifinals (that Kane would go on to win).
July 29th, 2006
by Geoff Thomsen
Men’s Final – Rocky Carson def. Jack Huczek (15-10, 13-15, 11-3)
- Full Double Donut Match Gallery
Women’s Final – Rhonda Rajsich def. Cheryl Gudinas (15-5, 15-8 )
- Full Double Donut Match Gallery
June 10th, 2006
by Geoff Thomsen
MS1 – Jack Huczek def. Shane Vanderson (15-11, 15-1)
- Full Double Donut Gallery
MS2 – Rocky Carson def. Jason Thoerner (15-4, 15-5)
- Full Double Donut Gallery
June 10th, 2006
by Geoff Thomsen
Quarterfinal 1 – Jack Huczek def. Chris Crowther (15-9, 15-8 )
- MQ1 Double Donut Gallery
Chris Crowther proved he has what it takes to hang with the big boys, but ended up being no match for the number two player in the world, Jack Huczek. Jack chased down everything on the court, and kept things under control with his amazing consistency.
Jack Huczek takes advantage of a pinned Chris Crothwer,
and forces him to the air. Photo: Geoff Thomsen
Chris Crowther smashes a serve to Jack Huczek in
the first quarterfinal match. Photo: Geoff ThomsenQuarterfinal 2 – Shane Vanderson def. Andy Hawthorne (15-8, 15-7)
- MQ2 Double Donut Gallery
Shane started this match missing some shots he was previously killing in the 16′s. Andy came out strong, and with his AWESOME getting ability he kept the scores close for most of the game. Shane’s THUNDER backhand and forehand serve returns proved to be too much to handle, and he took the match in two straight games.
Shane Vanderson blasts a photon past Hawthorne. Photo: Geoff Thomsen
Andy Hawthorne gets some hangtime to cover a
backhand rocket delivered by Vanderson. Photo: Geoff ThomsenQuarterfinal 3 – Jason Thoerner def. Mitch Williams (15-14, 14-15, 11-7)
- MQ3 Double Donut Gallery
Let’s just say that this was the match of the event. Both players giving 110%, both on top of their game, and neither willing to give up on a single rally. The first game ended with Thoerner on top at 15-14, over an hour after the start of the match. After an entire game of controvertial calls (just ask Thoerner), Mitch leaves the court the victor of game 2 at 15-14. Just so there was no doubt, Jason leaves the court shouting “2 against 1 .. 3 against 1 … I WILL NOT BE DENIED” refering to the refs who didn’t see things his way. The tie breaker followed the same path as the previous two games, with both players in it till the end. Jason made a few crucial shots late in the match to seal his spot in the semifinals.
Jason Thoerner refuses to let the forehand pass go, and
makes an incredible return in the back court. Photo: Geoff Thomsen
Put another “check” in the “hustle” box for Mitch Williams, as another
kill from Thoerner is scraped off the court. Photo: Geoff Thomsen Quarterfinal 4 – Rocky Carson def. Micah Rich (15-2, 15-3)
- MQ4 Double Donut Gallery
After amazing upsets over Doug Ganim and John Ellis, Micah started this match with nothing to lose. Whether out of gas from the previous rounds, or simply out-classed in these quarterfinals, he couldn’t get things started against Rocky. Carson simply flat killed every serve return, and made sure no rally went more than 2 or 3 hits. Carson would end both games quickly, and have plenty of gas left in the tank for a semifinal matchup against Jason Thoerner.
Rocky Carons hustles down a ball in the front court. Photo: Geoff Thomsen
Micah Rich gets ready for a forehand setup during his
quarterfinal match with Carson. Photo: Geoff Thomsen
June 5th, 2006
by Geoff Thomsen
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to the 2006 USAR National Singles Racquetball Champions; Rocky Carson and Rhonda Rajsich!!! Rhonda interrupted Cheryl Gudinas’ 6th consecutive National Title by taking a win in 2004, but Cheryl stormed back in 2005 for her 6th overall title. After securing her first year-end #1 ranking on the WPRO Tour, Rhonda capped an incredible season with her second win at National Singles in three years. Rocky has been battling fiercely with Jack Huczek for the 6 past years, and dashed his chances to be the first male with three consecutive wins with a tie-break victory this past weekend. This title will be Rocky’s third, with wins also in 2000 and 2003.
Some quick DoubleDonut event stats:
Cans of redbull: 9 (slow start due to $3.50 a can at the Hyatt)
Cans of Coke: lost count
pictures taken: 4600
Matches and Events covered: 35
It’s going to take some time to process the “final cut” from those 4,600 shots, but I am hard at work. Check the site for updates, or subscribe to the RSS news feed to receive automatic updates. For now, some teasers:
What would National Singles be without some challenging photography? 
May 31st, 2006
by Geoff Thomsen
While still unsigned by a major sponsor, Kane Waselenchuk was able to reclaim his unofficial title of “best player on tour” with a win over Rocky Carson in the finals of the San Diego Open Racquetball Championships this weekend. All questions of Kane’s physical and mental focus were laid to rest after his 5-game victory in the finals.
Another player making waves at this event was SoCal’s own Rocky Carson. He first upset number four seed Alvaro Beltran, followed by a five game stunner over number five Jason Mannino. Looks like Carson’s win over Mannino at the 2005 US Open was no fluke. Carson kept steam into the finals, but there was no stopping Kane’s victorious return to the tour.
Great Tournament Re-cap on IRT-Tour.com
February 27th, 2006
by Geoff Thomsen
The stage is set for Men’s Pro Doubles Racquetball this weekend in Chicago. Should be some very interesting matches, as you don’t usually see four of these guys on a court at a time.
DRAWS MNP#1 MNP#2
From IRT-Tour.com :
The IRT pros will converge on Schaumburg Illinois October 28-30 at the STP club to test their skills in the first pro doubles event in 5 years on the tour. The event will also offer singles divisions for men.women and juniors. Many of the top ranked professionals will be playing the event . Look for the likes of Kane Waselenchuk and Mike Guidry, Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson, Cliff Swain and Alvaro Beltran, Shane Vanderson and Josh Tucker to name a few.The racquetball fans of Chicago and the Midwest will be treated to some great doubles. Entry forms are available on the IRT site. Just click on the tournament link on the front page. We look forward to seeing you at the event!!
Check back for updates!
From http://www.irt-tour.com:
UPDATE OCT 29TH 2:00AM
TOP SEEDS ADVANCED TO THE SEMIFINALS OF THE CHICAGO OPEN IRT PRO DOUBLES
All the top seeds advanced tonight in Chicago with relative ease in the first three matches of the evening . After a little scare in the first game winning 12-10 Swain/Beltran settled down to defeat Minor/Amatulli in three games. Keith Minor of KWM Gutterman Intl. is a sponsor of the event and very active in keeping racquetball alive in the Chicagoland area as is John Amatulli. The next match up featured tour commissioer Dave Negrete and fitness specialist to the pros, Eugene Coyle against Jack Huczek and Rocky Carson. After handling the commssioner’s trash talking Carson turned on the heat as did Huczek to win in three straight. No fines were issued. The next match featured an odd team of lefties, the best in the world Kane Waselenchuk and multiple US doubles champion Mike Guidry versus two time 18 and under world junior champion Ben Croft and one of the IRT ‘s top 12 Andy Hawthorne. Kane showed why his is the best in the world and Guidry held up the left side to defeat Team Ektelon in three games. The last match of the evening proved to be the best as Team Head was well represented with Shane Vanderson and Josh Tucker adavncing over Jason Thoerner and Kyle Veenstra in a five game battle. This was the match of the night and the crowd showed their emotions coming to their feet numerous times thoughout the match.
The semifinals will begin at noon central with Swain/Beltran vs. Guidry/Waselenchuk and in the 1pm match Vanderson/Tucker vs. Carson/Huczek. The finals will held at 7:30pm Saturday evening.
October 27th, 2005
by Geoff Thomsen
The New Mexico Open was played this weekend as a full tour stop for WPRO, and a Tier 2 event for the IRT.
In women’s play, number one seeded Christie Van Hees managed a NARROW 12-10 win in game 5 over Cheryl Gudinas (6, 8, (4), (3), 10). DRAWS WPRO
On the IRT draw, Rocky Carson cruised to a first place finish after meeting Josh Tucker in the finals (4, 4, 9). DRAWS IRT-TOUR
October 24th, 2005
by Geoff Thomsen
Check out the Wallpaper Gallery for the next Double Donut Studios wallpaper, “Rock Solid”.
A special thanks to Son Nguyen and One Shot Sports!
April 28th, 2005
by Geoff Thomsen
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