by: Leo R Vazquez
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?
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