Well it is that time again for some great doubles action in sunny Tempe, Arizona. I was down at the ASU Rec center, the host site for doubles, tonight and was able to check the Ektelon Demo which was pretty cool. John Ellis, Rhonda Rajsich, Andy Hawthorne were there to show off the equipment and also had the radar gun out. People were able to hit with one of the three Ektelon O3 racquets, 5 balls on the forhand then 5 on the backhand. The person(s) with the highest MPH were given a prize for both.

Tomorrow action starts at 12pm. The draws are solid and for the most part, looks like another good turn out for overall entries. I will post again tomorrow with more news.

A big shout out to Leo. Wish you were here buddy!

Glad to see you made it down there, Chuck...see you on Sat.

Chuck,
Thanks for the updates. I wish I was there too. Hope you'll police the swimming pool area for me and tell Candy, Crystal, and Barbie that I'll be trasnfering to ASU next semester.
Save it for Memphis baby!!
CAUSE DAT'S WHAT I DO MAN.

Sounds good Adam! Have a good flight.

Leo - I have moved alot of boxes since Sunday.:oops: Call me when you see this.

Wow,
Even tho I am not there, I have been getting updates from friends in Tempe. There were a few notable upsets in the well known names department.
The dynamic duo of (#3)Jonathan Dunn and Greg Solis were dropped in the round of 16 by hot hitting Dan Darling and Jason Samora in a tough tie-breaker,(14),11,6. They move on to the quarters to face Ben Croft and Woody Clouse today at 12:40p.
Then, Sudsy Monchik and Kara Mazur were knocked out in the first round of the Mixed Open doubles by team Ektelon players Shawn Royster and Rhonda Rajsich in two straight games,5,13.
Also, Mary Lyons and Susan Pfahler took out Adrienne Fisher and Jessi Fuller in the Womens Open doubles. Mary and Susan will face Kim Russell-Waselenchuk and Jackie Paraiso tonight.
Today most divisons will be in the round of 16 and quarters making for some AWESOME doubles. To keep up with all the action click the link below.

2006 US National Doubles Racquetball Championships

Hey Chuckie, keep up the great work. Hope I didn't wake you up when I called, I forgot about the time change! Don't forget I am there with ya....in spirit! :mrgreen:

splatking

Wow,
Even tho I am not there, I have been getting updates from friends in Tempe. There were a few notable upsets in the well known names department.
Then, Sudsy Monchik and Kara Mazur were knocked out in the first round of the Mixed Open doubles by team Ektelon players Shawn Royster and Rhonda Rajsich in two straight games,5,13.
:mrgreen:

Upset??? No way!!!!

Well, maybe not an upset to you Rhonda and Royster fans...:mrgreen:
But definitely an upset considering I was told Rhonda held her own on the backhand side with Sudsy.
Anyone think that would happen if Kane was playing the left side?? Or right side since he is a lefty?
:p
Hey Chuckie, slow down, TAKE IT EASY HOLMES! TAKE IT EASY!
You and double donut boy take it nice and slow tonight with all the skinny college girls. {dance}

how about Samora/Darling over Croft/Clouse....11-10 tiebreaker.....upset?

Go Jason!!!

Sounds like Samora is hungry. ' ' )

About time. lol

If you've seen Jason Samora play, you wouldn't call it an upset. I have seen him play some top notch ball. But we are talking about doubles and if both players click and their strategery (hahaha) is working, then Samora/Darling over Croft/Clouse is not that big of an upset but awesome that they have made it to the semi-finals and have a great chance at making the finals. Thoerner/Williams have to get by Hawthorne/Stark and then we'll see.
GO ROYSTER....I got you to go all the way!! In both Mixed and Mens. You guys can beat Rocky and Jack, right???
I am off to the first night of the Texas State Fair.
Hey Chuckie, call me as soon as you get done moving those extra boxes!
:mrgreen:

Couple of big upsets in the mens draw.....check em out!!!

I saw Jason play....he wooped up on me in Lodi...good for them at nationals, interesting wins all around.

Well, maybe not an upset to you Rhonda and Royster fans...

I think the weak link in that Mixed doubles match was Kara. She is a good player but not in the same league as Rhonda or our man Royster. Great win either way.

I wish I was up there watching, instead I am here at work about 200 miles south of Phoenix :(

prbofficer

Couple of big upsets in the mens draw.....check em out!!!

What upset Jeff? I don't see any. Ganim and Bell are legitimate contenders. You talking about Hawthorne/Stark taking out Thoerner and Williams? I wouldn't exactly call that an upset. Unless you have seen Hawthorne/Stark play, they are also very legitimate.
I thought Dunn/Solis getting beat was more of an upset in the draw since they seemed to at least make the semi's the last few years.
Looks like Ganim/Bell could be the spoilers this year as well as Hawthorne/Stark or Samora/Darling.

splatking

What upset Jeff? I don't see any. Ganim and Bell are legitimate contenders. You talking about Hawthorne/Stark taking out Thoerner and Williams? I wouldn't exactly call that an upset. Unless you have seen Hawthorne/Stark play, they are also very legitimate.
I thought Dunn/Solis getting beat was more of an upset in the draw since they seemed to at least make the semi's the last few years.
Looks like Ganim/Bell could be the spoilers this year as well as Hawthorne/Stark or Samora/Darling.

No doubt those two are good teams.....but.....Jason and Mitch are the #2 seed to get beat by Hawthorne/Stark. I"m sure they are good, but that is an upset.

Ganin and Bell beating Tucker/Vanderson. How is that not an upset. Two IRT players getting beat by two players not on the IRT tour. I'm sure Ganim/Bell are great dubs players, but have to call that one an upset.

My prediction.....Rocky/Jack v Hawthorne/Stark in the finals. Rocky/Jack easy winners in 2 in the finals.

prbofficer

No doubt those two are good teams.....but.....Jason and Mitch are the #2 seed to get beat by Hawthorne/Stark. I"m sure they are good, but that is an upset.

Ganin and Bell beating Tucker/Vanderson. How is that not an upset. Two IRT players getting beat by two players not on the IRT tour. I'm sure Ganim/Bell are great dubs players, but have to call that one an upset.

My prediction.....Rocky/Jack v Hawthorne/Stark in the finals. Rocky/Jack easy winners in 2 in the finals.

A few years ago in 2002, Ganim and Bell were 2 pts from going to the finals. They lost to the ultimate champs, Ruben and Mike Guidry (who beat Huczek and Muller in the finals). They had Ruben and Guids down quite a bit in the breaker ... it was such an exciting match and incredible comeback that it became DVD material at ProRacquetball.Net

So that was 4 years ago ... can't say how they have fared in the last few years but is it an upset ... maybe since Shane and Josh also beat Jack and Rocky in last Octobers ProDoubles in Chicago. So yeah, they're both great teams ... one a bit older and more experienced, one a bit younger and stronger ... close call.

Hawthorne and Stark beating JT and Mitch is definitely an upset.

I got video today. Trying to get with willie to try top stream something tomorrow. Hint Hint!! Hit me upwilly I have the winamp just need the server address. 719 232 1656

I got video today. Trying to get with willie to try top stream something tomorrow. Hint Hint!! Hit me upwilly I have the winamp just need the server address. 719 232 1656

Good Luck to Elaine and Shane in the Mixed Open finals!! :cheesy: