The Daily Racquet Established 1996 OCTOBER 7th, 2017 Volume 22, Issue 3 SUPER SATURDAY

In Play Saturday... ALEJANDRO NATALIA October 7, 2017

USAR Amateur Matches 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. VS VS All LIFE TIME Venues - Target Center (LFTC) FRÉDÉRIQUE ROCKY - Minneapolis A.C. (MAC) - Fridley (LTFF) Men’s Professional Semifinal #1 Women’s Pro Semifinal #1 11:00 A.M. - Stadium Court 10:00 A.M. - Stadium Court Silent Auction for Children’s Charities vs. Alejandro Landa Frédérique Lambert vs. Natalia Mendez Bidding ends at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) www.auctionusopen.com Alejandro has been in this spot at the US OPEN She is just 20 years old, played in just 10 before. In 2014 he came from outside the Top 8 to career LPRT tournaments, and yet here is ’s Ticket Session #7 reach the Semifinals, only to be rocked by Kane. Will Natalia Mendez in the Semifinals of the World’s Best LPRT Semifinal #1 the outcome be different today against Rocky? Tournament. To reach the Finals, she’ll have to get IRT Semifinal #1 The career statistics say it will be tough as Landa has past Canada’s Frédérique Lambert who is also a bit LIFE TIME - Target Center just one all-time victory over Carson. However, that of a newcomer to the sport’s grandest stage. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. win came from their last match-up at the 2016 Atlanta Lambert - Canada’s National Champion - IRT stop. After three long matches thus far this week, reached her first US OPEN Semifinal last year. Ticket Session #8 will Alejandro have the legs to repeat an upset? However she was upset on the All-Glass Stadium LPRT Semifinal #2 An early-round forfeit has helped keep Rocky Court in four games. Who will handle the pressure of IRT Semifinal #2 all the bright lights better today? LIFE TIME - Target Center rested. Expect Carson to win in cruise control today. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Prediction: Rocky in Three Prediction: Natalia in Five

Ticket Session #9 RHONDA Men’s & Women’s ALVARO Pro Doubles Finals LIFE TIME - Target Center 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. VS VS PARTY WITH KANE PAOLA THE PROS Men’s Professional Semifinal #2 Women’s Professional Semifinal #2 2:00 P.M. - Stadium Court 1:00 P.M. - Stadium Court vs. vs. Rhonda The Pourhouse S 5th St & Hennepin Today’s match-up between Kane and Alvaro will Combined, these two ladies have won more 2 Blocks East from the be the 7th time they have met in the UnitedHealthcare than half of all US OPENs ever played. Paola holds Target Center US OPEN. Of the previous meetings, Alvaro has only the record with seven titles, and today Rhonda will 9:00 p.m won once... Back in 2000 in Memphis... Which was look to close the gap by adding to her four titles. 21 & Over Only Kane’s rookie US OPEN appearance. After a tough year on and off the court, Rhonda DRESS TO IMPRESS! And when you look at all-time IRT meetings, looks poised to make another run to the top of the US OPEN the story doesn’t get better for ’s top player. LPRT rankings. This week in Minneapolis, she has Beltran has played Canada’s Waselenchuk 47 times yet to drop a game and is only allowing opponents MEDIA TEAM during their IRT careers. Alvaro has won just four of just over four points a game. Paola has been just as those. Win #5 isn’t going to happen today. dominant though this week, this year and this decade! Jeff Oliver Media Manager Prediction: Kane in Three Prediction: Paola in Four Leo Vasquez Social Media Manager Cheryl Kirk Staff Writer Freddy Ramirez Photographer Roby Partovich Photographer

If you have a great story, idea or thought, please feel free to contact us... E-Mail: [email protected] Established 1996 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7th, 2017 Volume 22, Issue 3

Natalia Mendez’s first pro event was just over a USA ’s Jason Thoerner was What a week for Conrrado Moscoso! Qualifier year ago. Now she is a US OPEN Semifinalist interviewed on LIVE TELEVISION Friday to Quarterfinals in both pro singles & doubles Cheryl Kirk’s Daily Blog Click through to Cheryl’s Daily Blog to see what Friday’s ‘QUESTION OF THE DAY’ was and all the intriguing answers it received!

Alejandro Landa took flight and found himself His run ended in the Quarters, but Sudsy was all in his second career US OPEN Semifinal bit.ly/usopenblog smiles when thanking his fans this week AUCTION CLOSES TODAY! Bids for this year’s Silent Auction, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Rapha House, must be placed by 7:00 p.m. today at www.auctionusopen.com.

Great deals on vacation stays in the Grand Cayman Islands, Signed Sports & Movie Memorabilia, Gift Cards from the Top Brands, Jewelry, Designer Clothing and more.

Tell your friends back home about the auction! They can place bids on all the items even though they aren’t in Minneapolis. auctionusopen.com MEDAL PICK-UP Medals will ONLY be available for pick-up at LIFE TIME - TARGET CENTER. This includes divisions won at the Proud partner of the LIFE TIME - MAC and LIFE TIME - Fridley venues. You may pick up your medals starting at 2:00 p.m. in the Player’s Village 10 South 5th Street Two blocks from the Target Center corner of 5th and Hennepin 612-843-2555 CONGRATULATIONS!

46 • 22nd Annual Grand Slam Souvenir Program ©2011 The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola,” “open happiness” and the Contour Bottle are registered trademarks of Co mpany. 2017 UnitedHealthcare US OPEN Racquetball Championship • 47