Day 2
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 11/5/22
R48 Men’s Pro Singles
Killian Carroll and Max Langmack played a nearly one-hour two-game match, with both sacrificing their bodies on virtually every rally, with Carroll crashing into side walls and Langmack nearly breaking through the door on one dive. Carroll took game one in 29 minutes but found himself trailing 4-9 in game two before tying the score at nine. Carroll charged ahead and fought off a late TGG rally to keep his title defense alive.
Martin Mulkerrins started well against David Fink, building a 7-2 lead before Fink caught him at eight. Mulkerrins took control from there, finding his serve to the right and scoring seven straight points to end the game.
Fink fly-killed his way to a 7-2 second game lead, appearing to be in control. Mulkerrins found another gear, scoring eleven straight points to stand within two points of the semifinals. Fink upped his aggressiveness, rattling off five consecutive points to cut the deficit to one. “I was doing everything right during that five-point streak but a poor serve that came off the back wall and a poor shot selection at 13-12 cost me those two rallies,” lamented Fink. Mulkerrins closed out the match in two games.
Leo Canales, Jr. convincingly secured his third R48 semifinal appearance with a comprehensive win against rising star Ivan Burgos, outplaying his younger adversary in all aspects of the game. “Ivan is really good,” stated Canales. “He is really quick so I had to go for my shots. I’ve been practicing a lot by myself, working on my serve and back wall mostly and I’m feeling confident.”
Lucho Cordova overwhelmed Shorty Ruiz to advance to the semifinal, keeping Ruiz in the back court and firing twelve aces in two games. “I felt like all I was doing was just catching the ball and throwing it back to him to serve again,” laughed Ruiz.
Carroll and Mulkerrins staged a classic in the upper bracket semifinal. Despite being hampered by a painful right elbow, Carroll adjusted his game, hitting lob serves and stiff arm kills to take a 9-3 lead in game one. Mulkerrins scored six consecutive points to tie the game at nine, before Carroll scored four to lead 13-9. Mulkerrins would end the game with his second streak of the match, scoring the final six points of the game. Carroll led throughout the second game, serving for the game at 14-6. It would take Carroll seven minutes from his first game point to even the match, setting the stage for a one-game decider.
The first half of the decider featured a number of side outs and uncharacteristic errors and missed opportunities for two of the sport’s best, as Mulkerrins and Carroll eventually stood tied at six. Mulkerrins caught fire from there, locating his serve and devastating right hand kills. Mulkerrins would end the match with nine consecutive points, thrilling the two-handed glass-banging fanatics. “These guys are so good and so well-conditioned that they never get tired,” stated R48 pro Kyle English. “It really comes down to whoever gets on a hot streak at the right time but either of them can win.”
Lucho continued to be the most dominant player in the draw in the bottom bracket semifinal, torching Canales in two quick games. Lucho led 7-0 in both games and never allowed the three-time R48 semifinalist into the match.
“Lucho was just too good, I just couldn’t do anything,” stated a smiling Canales.
“I’m feeling good and I’m working out with a trainer for the first time so I feel strong,” stated Lucho. “I don’t feel winded at all. Tomorrow (against Mulkerrins) I’m going to play my game, get a lot of balls and see what happens.”
Quarterfinals
Carroll def Langmack 15-8, 15-12
Mulkerrins def Fink 15-8, 15-12
Canales def Burgos 15-3, 15-7
Lucho def Ruiz 15-3, 15-3
Semifinals
Mulkerrins def Carroll 15-13, 9-15, 15-6
Lucho def Canales, Jr. 15-7, 15-3
Final: Lucho vs. Mulkerrins 12:15 pm MST
WR48 Singles
Catriona Casey faced one of the most formidable challenges of her WR48 career in first time WR48 player Eilise McCrory. The left-handed McCrory posed difficult challenges for the 22-time WR48 champion, taking a 10-8 lead in the second game. Casey slowed the game down and forced several crucial errors from the left, eventually securing her twenty-fifth WR48 finals appearance.
“I know Eilise’s game from back home and she is very tough,” stated Casey. “I have been very busy playing the big alley, 1-Wall, and fronton, but it’s nice to be back on the 4-Wall court.”
Fiona Tully faced tournament director Dr. Ashley Ruiz in the bottom bracket semifinal. Tully faced not only Ruiz, but Ruiz’s boisterous and enthusiastic glass-banging fan club, all of whom crammed behind the back wall to support their favorite player. Tully gained control of the match by building leads in both games, mostly on the strength of her sensational left. Tully was able to overcome Dr. Ashley with identical 15-8 scores.
Semifinals
Casey def McCrory 15-3, 15-10
Tully def Ruiz 15-8, 15-8
Final: Casey vs. Tully 10 am MST
SR48 Singles
8-time SR48 champion David Fink faced current national champion and firefighter champion Alex Garcia. Fink welcomed his newest SR48 foe to ESPN and the tour with a donut in the first game en route to a commanding two-game win. “I received two donuts in my first pro tour match and most players have experienced the same,” stated Fink. “It’s an honor and a true welcome to the big leagues.”
Bill Mehilos advanced to his second SR48 final with a gritty win against Leo Canales, Sr. The pair dove, hindered, and grinded their way through two grueling games, with Mehilos edging the ageless Canales in two exciting games.
Fink def Garcia 15-0, 15-1
Mehilos def Canales, Sr. 15-10, 15-7
Final: Fink vs. Mehilos 10:45 am MST
Men’s Small Ball Pro Doubles
Semifinals (Sunday)
Lucho/Killian vs. Langmack/Doyle
Ruiz/Esser vs. Walsh/O’Connor
Men’s Big Ball Pro Singles
Final (Sunday): Samzon Hernandez vs. Chava Cordova
Men’s Big Ball Pro Doubles
Semifinals (Sunday)
Siordoa/Cordova vs. Chavez/Chavez
Shorty Ruiz/Samzon vs. Flash Tojin/Wiz Duenas
2022 Memorial Presentation
“The Commish” Scott Cleveland led a beautiful presentation at the seventh annual Memorial, paying respect to those that we have lost but not forgotten and explaining what this sport means to so many. “We are so grateful to our family that has given so much to this sport and we are going to all we can to keep this sport thriving,” stated Cleveland.
Follow the draws and results from the R48 XI Tucson Memorial HERE
2022 Tucson Memorial Broadcast Schedule on ESPN+: Sunday, November 6, 10 am-1:30 pm MST
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Editor’s Note: Big thank you for #Teamr48 lead by Ashley Ruiz and her amazing tournament desk work. Playing and making the pro women’s semifinals, coordinating courts, start times, refs, and registering players for the event were some of her tasks, but as a Doctor, she has also helped players and those associated with the game medical attention when needed, on behalf of the WPH and for the love of the sport. Thank you so much Ashley for your continued assistance in helping this game and this event grow!
Special thanks to Kris Gurrad, Linda Manning, Che Lowenstein and Kara Mack (the film crew). Dave Fink and Lolita De Vincent, plus Trish Fink, Brenda Hays, Scott Cleveland, Jeff Healam, Doug Clark, Fred Banfield, Shorty Ruiz, Ashley Moler, Kyra Vidas and Jim Verhaeghe for making the memorial such a success. Thanks again out to Doug Woods. Fred Lewis and Don Curry hosted an outdoor Saturday BBQ for all handball players and participants couldn’t be more happy. Thanks to Matt Krueger (USHA). Special recognition out to Bill Selby and Renee Sitter, plus full Tucson Racquet Club staff and workers. Thank you to WPH BOD and Members for helping this event happen and all of the volunteers who pitched in for the Perfect Game.
