The Daily Racquet Established 1996 OCTOBER 4th, 2018 Volume 23, Issue 1 THURSDAY SINGER & FRANCO WIN PRO-AM DOUBLES Thanks to all the amateur and professional players who helped raise more than $10,000 on In Play Thursday... Tuesday night for St. Jude Children’s Research October 4, 2018 Hospital and Rapha House. Player Registration In the Pro-Am Charity Doubles finals, David LIFE TIME - Target Center Singer (Algonquin, Illinois) and his professional 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. player partner Sebastian Franco (Cali,

/ IRT #6) knocked off Rosco Halsey (Olathe, USAR Amateur Matches Kansas) and his professional partner Mario 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Mercado (Valle, Colombia / IRT #8). All Venues For the 23rd consecutive year, the US

OPEN Pro-Am Doubles event was SOLD OUT. If Pro Matches - Session #2 you’d like to play next year, be sure to enter early! LIFE TIME - Target Center Sebastian Franco & David Singer

IRT & LPRT Round of 32 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Pro Doubles Qualifying 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Pro Matches - Session #3 LIFE TIME - Target Center MEET MIKE WEDEL IRT & LPRT Round of 16 USA ’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. On September 27th, the Board University, and his prior business Pro Doubles Quarterfinals of Directors of USA Racquetball experience includes printing, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (USAR) announced the appointment manufacturing, sports management, of Mike Wedel to the organization’s general management, and not-

position of Executive Director. for-profit leadership. He is an A PLAYER level racquetball player and an Mike hails from Louisburg, Kansas, PARTY experienced tournament director. where he serves as past president Marriott Lobby Bar and current vice president of the Mike will be here at the US OPEN 10:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Kansas Racquetball Association. He all week and looks forward to

FOOD & DRINK was elected to the USA Racquetball meeting and talking with as many SPECIALS! Board of Directors in May 2015 and players as possible. He officially currently serves as vice president. takes the reins of USAR on Enjoy a nightcap with your Mike holds a Bachelor of Science November 1st. racquetball friends! in Management from Baker New USAR Executive Director Mike Wedel US OPEN Cheryl Kirk’s Daily Blog MEDIA TEAM Were you lucky enough to be asked Cheryl’s ‘Question of the Day’? Click into her Daily Blog Jeff Oliver to see how racquetball helped give back on Wednesday evening. And be on the lookout for Media Manager Cheryl and her notepad today... You might be next! Leo Vasquez bit.ly/usopenblog Social Media Manager Cheryl Kirk Staff Writer Kevin Savory Photographer

If you have a great story, idea or thought, please feel free to contact us... E-Mail: [email protected] Established 1996 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4th, 2018 Volume 23, Issue 1 TODAY’S “CAN’T MISS” PRO MATCHES #14 Adam Manilla vs. #19 Javier Mar #4 Alexandra Herrera vs. #29 Michelle 11:10 a.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center De La Rosa Javier made a surprise run to the US 9:00 a.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center OPEN Quarterfinals last year. To make Michelle only played in one other event a similar run this year, he’ll have to since last year’s US OPEN, however get past former U.S. Intercollegiate she has a history of putting losses on top Champion Adam Manilla. Adam reached seeds on the big stage. Alexandra will the quarters at the Maryland Pro Stop. need to stay focused to avoid the upset.

#7 Samuel Murray vs. #26 Conrrado Moscoso #3 Samantha Salas Solis vs. #30 Kelani Lawrence (Bailey) 12:20 p.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center 10:00 a.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center Samuel is coming off his first IRT tournament finals appearance Kelani has racked up the accomplishments during her amateur last month in Maryland. Conrrado’s lone IRT appearance was career including a finals appearance at the 2018 USRA National at last year at the US OPEN where he went from a qualifier to Singles event. Can she take that success to the pro game and the quarterfinals. Moscoso’s #26 seed is deceiving and he’ll give knock off the veteran Samantha? Murray a test. If this one doesn’t go tiebreaker, we’ll be shocked. #1 Paola Longoria vs. #17 Monserrat Mejia #6 Sebastian Franco vs. #11 David Horn * 5:00 p.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center 3:50 p.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center Paola will win this match easily, but it will give fans a chance to Sebastian and David are two of the fittest athletes on tour. Expect see the top up-and-coming junior player in the game. Monserrat is some long rallies and lots of energy should the match go deep. the reigning Girl’s 18 & Under World Champion.

#4 vs. #13 Charlie Pratt * #7 Maria Jose Vargas vs. #23 Yazmine Sabja * 2:40 p.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center 3:50 p.m. – LIFE TIME - Target Center Charlie has regained his form with some pretty impressive results Maria and Yazmine have recently matched up in international play in the past 18 months, so a match-up against Daniel in the Round at the IRF World Championships and the final of the 2018 South of 16 will be a special treat for the fans. *Predicted Matchups American Games. *Predicted Matchup A #TBT LOOK AT PAST US OPENs!

Rhonda jumps over Christie’s shot in 2005 Paola gets ready to serve in 2006 Javier loses his own shoe in 2007

Dr. Hiser and Jack at the 2007 banquet Rhonda and Kane won the last titles in Memphis Kane chats with the Timberwolves in 2010

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