US OPEN WPRO Preview

US OPEN WPRO Preview

Rajsich and Longoria Headline Women’s Field

by Leo R Vasquez

The Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) will once again bring their best athletes to Minneapolis for the 2011 US OPEN Racquetball Championships. A strong and talented field of the best female racquetball players in the world will converge together for the first grand slam of the WPRO season.

There are also many story lines at this event for several of the top players including four-time US OPEN champion Rhonda Rajsich who will be seeking her fifth US OPEN championship (’03, ’07, ’09, ’10) and solidify her legacy as one of the greatest champions of the US OPEN era; then there is former US OPEN champion, Mexico’s Paola Longoria (’08) who will be attempting to add another US OPEN championship to her resume and is also a heavy favorite to win. But why stop there, two-time US OPEN champion (’02, ’04) Cheryl Gudinas will be trying to become only the third player to win at least three US OPEN championships; or will we finally see Samantha Salas Solis hoist the coveted US OPEN trophy for the first time in her career?

Here’s a look into the tour’s top ladies hoping to make a splash and the odds of their chances to win a coveted US OPEN Championship.

Rhonda Rajsich (3:1 odds) – Rajsich is the odds-on favorite and the defending US OPEN champion coming into Minneapolis. She had another sensational performance during the 2010-2011 season in the WPRO and finished with the year end number one ranking for a fourth time in her career. She has already begun her quest to finish number one by capturing the season opener at the Ektelon WPRO Texas Open in Dallas, TX by defeating Samantha Salas Solis in the finals. Rajsich has proven time and time again that she can elevate her game when it comes to the US OPEN, look for her to claim her fifth US OPEN championship on Sunday and become the winningest US OPEN champion.

Paola Longoria (3:1 odds) – Also in the spotlight will be former US OPEN champion (’08) Paola Longoria, an energetic 22 year-old Mexican superstar who had just as much success on the WPRO last season as Rajsich did. In fact, Paola made the finals of every WPRO event she entered last season and nearly captured the year end number one ranking by only 25 points. Paola is no stranger to the US OPEN and her loss to Rhonda last year in the finals is all the motivation she needs to regain that momentum heading into the season.

Undoubtedly, Paola has the game, although she has a very unorthodox swing style, she can cover the court well and wears her emotions on her sleeve. She needs to try and use all that energy as best she can to heighten her focus and keep Rajsich from making more history.

Samantha Salas Solis (5:1 odds) – At the 2010 US OPEN, Samantha had a tough draw as she took on the best players from Japan, Columbia and former US OPEN champion Kerri Wachtel. Her semi-final appearance in 2010 against fellow Mexican countrywoman Paola Longoria is her best finish to date and she has the experience to reach the title match. Samantha recently made the finals of the WPRO 2011 season opener losing in four games to Rajsich, but can she take that ultimate step into the winner's circle at the US OPEN?

Adrienne Fisher (7:1 odds) – From the college classroom earning a masters degree, to a career in restaurant and hospitality management, Fisher has always been a threat against any opponent on the WPRO tour. Last year, she had to face three-time US OPEN champion Christie Huczek in the round of 16 and made an early exit. Can her powerful backhand and aggressive game style carry her farther than she’s ever been?

Cheryl Gudinas (8:1 odds) – How many words can you use to describe the two-time US OPEN champion Cheryl Gudinas? How about perseverance, and determination for starters, she is relentless with alot of focus and has the will to win against all odds. She won’t make any excuses about nagging injuries or lack of playing time. Cheryl says she will continue to compete as long as she advances in the draw and there is no better place than the US OPEN to bring it all together. She knows what it takes to win here in Minneapolis but does her body want to cooperate?

Kerri Wachtel (8:1 odds) – Kerri has always been known as one of the fiercest players on the WPRO tour. She packs a powerful punch in her small frame and she used every bit of that to win the US OPEN in 2001. She possesses all of skills to win, conditioning, mental tenacity, and her amazing quickness on the court can give her an edge over everyone else. Does she have enough in her arsenal to hoist another championship trophy?

Angela Grisar (10:1 odds) – The dark horse originally from Santiago, Chile now residing in San Ramon, CA is always a threat to anyone she plays. Angela also had a tough draw last year at the US OPEN losing to Rajsich early. When Angela takes the court with her power game, her opponents feel the pressure and that is where she shines. She has won a regular season WPRO tour event but is she ready to rise to the next level?

Kristen Bellows (12:1 odds) – The player formerly known as Kristen Walsh missed the US OPEN last year and hasn’t played much on the WPRO tour this past season. She was a semifinalist at the 2009 US OPEN losing to Gudinas and has the game to compete. She needs to get her confidence and her game back on track; will she stop forcing the big shots and let it come to her?

Sharon Jackson (16:1 odds) – Sharon is also a full-time college student at the University of Alabama trying to juggle the classroom with the racquetball court. She is more than just a pretty face on the WPRO tour with high school and junior national titles on her resume. Her biggest weapon could be her backhand, which at times resembles that of former US OPEN champion Christie Huczek. Now that she’s tasted success at the junior level, is she hungry to win on the big stage?

Sheryl Lotts (16:1 odds) – Sheryl is one of the youngest players on the WPRO tour. She nearly qualified last year at the US OPEN but dropped a close five game match to Jessica Parilla. She trains back home in Ohio with top IRT pro Andy Hawthorne and his wife Tracy which is great practice for anyone.

Will youth be served and can Sheryl show the world that she is a future superstar?