Racquetball Canada – Winnipeg, July 21, 2016 – Team Canada is heading to the championship semifinals in two events at the International Racquetball Federation World Championships being held in Cali, Colombia.  

The Women’s Doubles Team of Frédérique Lambert of Montréal and Jennifer Saunders of Winnipeg were back in action today after getting a bye directly to the quarterfinals.  The 3rd seeded Canadians defeated the 11th seeded Argentinian team of Pia Dati and Marie José Vargas in two games, 15-7, 15-9. Team Canada will play the 2nd seeded team of Janel Tisinger and Aimee Ruiz of the USA in Friday’s semifinal.  

Samuel Murray of Baie-Comeau, who was seeded 6th upset the 3rd seed Chris Crowther of USA to advance to the semifinal. Crowther was well in control in the first game winning 15-7, but Murray turned things around in the second game with a decisive 15-3 win. Murray finished off strong in the tie-breaker, winning 11-7.  He will face a tough opponent in the number 2 seed, Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico in Friday’s semifinal.  

Mike Green and Tim Landeryou who were seeded 5th in the men’s doubles event lost a tough quarterfinal match to the 4th seeded Bolivian team of Carlos Keller and Kadim Carrasco. The Canadians took game one 15-6, but the Bolivians stormed back to win game two 15-2. They also went up quickly in the tie breaker but the Canadians fought back to go ahead 8-7. However Carlos and Carrasco managed to pull ahead and win 11-8. 

Christine Richardson of Regina had a big challenge in the women’s quarterfinal where she faced the #1 female racquetball athlete in the world, Paola Longoria of Mexico. Longoria won the match with scores of 15-1, 15-0.  

Michèle Morissette also lost her women’s consolation singles match on Thursday to Mariana Tobon of Venezuela, 15-3, 15-8.

In the Men’s Singles consolation draw, Pedro Castro of Brossard came up with a win over Set Cubillos of Colombia and will advance to the consolation semifinal where he will face Jose Eduardo Ubilla of Costa Rica.  

Draws and results are available on the International Racquetball Federation website at: http://www.amafraweb.com.ar/world2016/

Games will be live streamed at:  http://www.bit.ly/irfworlds 

Updates will be posted on the Racquetball Canada Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/racquetballcanada 

Racquetball Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of Racquetball in Canada. Along with the support of the Government of Canada and many valued partners, Racquetball Canada develops competitive national teams and oversees programs that grow the sport of racquetball in Canada. For more information visit our website at www.racquetball.ca.   

Team Canada Quarterfinal Results: July 21

Men’s Singles

Gold Draw: (6) Samuel Murray (Baie-Comeau, QC) defeated (3) Chris Crowther (USA), 7-15, 15-3, 11-7.

Consolation Draw: (26) Pedro Castro (Brossard, QC) defeated (15) Set Cubicles (COL), 15-8, 15-6.

Women’s Singles

Gold Draw (1) Paola Longoria (MEX) defeated (9) Christine Richardson (Regina, SK) , 15-1, 15-0.

Consolation Draw: (19) Mariana Tobon (VEN) defeated (11) Michèle Morissette (Baie-Comeau, QC), 15-3, 15-8.

Men’s Doubles

Gold Draw:  (4) Carlos Keller / Kadim Carrasco (BOL) defeated (5) Mike Green (Hamilton, ON) / Tim Landeryou (Calgary, AB), 6-15, 15-2, 11-9.

Women’s Doubles

Gold Draw: (3) Frédérique Lambert (Montréal, QC) / Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, MB) defeated (11) Pia Dati / Marie José Vargas (ARG), 15-7, 15-9.

Team Canada Quarterfinal Matches  – July 22 (Central Time)

Men’s Singles

Gold Draw: (6) Samuel Murray (Baie-Comeau, QC) vs (2) Daniel De La Rosa (MEX), 12:00h;

Consolation Draw: (26) Pedro Castro (Brossard, QC) vs (19) Jose Eduardo Ubilla (CRC), 12:00h

Men’s Doubles

Consolation Draw: (5) Mike Green (Hamilton, ON) / Tim Landeryou (Calgary, AB) vs (Filipe Camacho / Teo Fumerò (CRC), 15:00h

Women’s Doubles

Gold Draw: (3) Frédérique Lambert (Montréal, QC) / Jennifer Saunders (Winnipeg, MB)  vs (2) Aimee Ruiz / Janel Tisinger (USA), 14:00h.

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Media Contact:

Jan Hanson

Director of Communications and Marketing

Racquetball Canada Board of Directors

jhanson@accesscomm.ca I 306.502.4422