Portland, OR, WPH Press, 10/10/26
Quarterfinals
Mulkerrins vs. Langmack
Four-time defending Portland Classic champion Martin Mulkerrins started quickly against Max Langmack in the first quarterfinal of the day, racing to a 6-0 lead in the first game. Langmack quickly cut into the lead with three ace serves down the right, but was sunk by fourteen first-game errors. Langmack rallied from a 0-4 second-game deficit to take a 10-8 lead in the second, but an error at 8-10 ceded Langmack’s momentum and ultimately his chances at forcing a tiebreaker.
“I gave up one or two loose ones at 8-8 (in the second game) but had patches of good play,” Mulkerrins would tell ESPN’s Kara Mack. “Max was under pressure (towards the ends of the game). There were good serves from both of in the match. Just trying to refocus on being aggressive. The early morning games are interesting, timing and food. Just stretching out and getting in the zone so you can start quick. They have everything here. It’s a tremendous facility.”
Canales vs. Burgos
Leo Canales skipped the R48 Red Montana and started slowly against a white-hot Ivan Burgos. Burgos started the match breathing fire, killing nearly every ball in route to 7-1 and 13-5 leads. Canales closed the gap to two late in the first but could not sustain his momentum, as Burgos escaped a collapse.
Burgos appeared to reinjure his Montana ankle injury early in the second and was virtually listless in the six-minute game second game blowout, serving just three times in the game and not scoring.
Burgos found a spark in the third, building a 13-8 lead with a surge of adrenaline and offense. Canales hit a 39-foot return of serve kill at 13-8 to earn a side out and dominated from there, scoring the final seven points of the match.
“When I started off well in the second I started to feel good,” Canales would tell ESPN’s Mack. “I knew I was ready for a battle in the tiebreaker. I was expecting full force in the third game. When he gets hot there is nothing you can do about it. I’m proud of my fight. Didn’t return the serve as well as I wanted. I always have the mentality that if I lose, I’m going to play hard.”
Lenning vs. Doyle
Sean Lenning entered his quarterfinal match with an undefeated lifetime record against second-seeded Mark Doyle and kept Doyle in search of his first win, tackling Doyle to start the match and eventually taking a 14-8 first game lead. Lenning missed a left-handed setup at 14-8 and withstood a late first-game Doyle rally and dominated the second to make his second Race semifinal in his last three Race starts.
“I don’t like to know who I’m playing because I have a hard time sleeping if I know,” Lenning told ESPN’s Kara Mack. “I felt good, I hit some nice shots and I didn’t get that tired. I got people who care about me in the crowd and I glance at them and it feels good.”
Lucho vs. Danos
Lucho and Danos matched up for just the second time in the quarterfinals of a Race stop in the final quarterfinal of the day, with Lucho defeating Danos in their first Race quarterfinal matchup in Montana three weeks ago.
The rematch was nearly identical, with Lucho’s virtually error-free handball too much for Danos to overcome.
“I always go in there with confidence and feeling good,” Lucho would later say. “I don’t feel any different playing my brother. I play my game. There are certain shots that bother him, so I may try to hit more of those. I’m steady because I don’t go for crazy kill shots. It’s just my style of play.”
Round of 8
Mulkerrins def Langmack 15-9, 15-11
Canales def Burgos 11-15, 15-0, 15-13
Lenning def Doyle 15-15, 15-6
Lucho def Danos 15-10, 15-6
Semifinals
Mulkerrins vs. Canales
Mulkerrins was too strong against Canales in the first semifinal of the evening, dominating game one with precise power and offense. Canales had never defeated Mulkerrins and despite a stronger showing in game two, kept his winless streak intact.
“Thought there were longer periods of good play there,” Mulkerrins stated after defeating Canales in two games. “Game one I got on top and he was a little flat. Glad to come out on the other side and be in the final tomorrow. I was trying to kill the ball more and keep the pressure on. I like to play aggressive and less flicking around the walls and ceiling shots. There been some great results here and some heartbreaking ones. I like it here.”
Lucho vs. Lenning
Sean Lenning was aiming to defeat Lucho Cordova for the first time on the Race since 2018 in the second semifinal at the 2026 R48 Portland Classic. Lenning held match point in their quarterfinal match at last year’s R48 Portland Classic and appeared to have won the match with a kill to the right but hit himself with the ball on match point and lost in a tiebreaker.
Lucho was in control throughout game one in Saturday’s semifinal, retrieving Lenning’s drives and kills and exhausting Lenning midway through the first game, ultimately winning the first game by converting his kill shot opportunities and forcing Lenning errors.
Lenning led 8-5 in the second, but a three-dive Lucho rally that ultimately ended in a hinder seemed to shift the momentum back to Lucho. Lucho scored three consecutive points to tie the game and appeared to be on his way to the final, but Lenning found a second wind. Lenning rattled off seven consecutive points to force a third game, and continued his streak into the third, taking a 3-0 lead. After more than thirteen scoreless minutes, Lucho ended the streak, eventually scoring seven consecutive points.
Energized by his fans, Lenning regained control of the match, scoring eight straight points to serve at 12-8. Lenning thought he scored the thirteenth point, but the referee made a questionable hinder call. Lenning served again at 12-8 and seemingly won the thirteenth point when a deep court Lucho retrieve hit Lenning’s calf. After some deliberation, the referee determined the ball had a chance to make the front wall. Lenning used the two calls as fuel, adding velocity to his serve and kills to end the match on twelve-point streak.
“No one said it had to be pretty,” Lenning would later say. “I was happy I was able to muster some energy (after the first game). I thought I was letting the fans down in the first game. I was thinking about the people who came to watch me. I don’t like playing Lucho because he is one of my best friends. I have to speak my mind on the court. There is friction on the handball court.”
Semifinals
Mulkerrins def Canales 15-5, 15-11
Lenning def Lucho 10-15, 15-8, 15-7
Final (Sunday, 11:30 am PST): Mulkerrins vs. Lenning
Playoffs
9th place final (10 am PST): Hernandez vs. Ruiz
5th place final (10:45 am PST): Doyle vs. Burgos
Watch Sunday’s action from the 2026 R48 Portland Classic live on the ESPN App, starting at 10 am PST
Follow all of the draws from the 2026 Race 4 Eight Portland Classic HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
2026 WPH R48Pro Stop #3 ‘The Classic’
ESPN+ Broadcast Schedule
Portland, Oregon– Oct 9-11, 2026
Saturday, October 10th, 2026 (Pacific Daylight Time)
10:00 Men’s Pro Singles Pro Quarters – Martin Mulkerrins (IRE) def Max Langmack (AZ) 9, 11
10:45 Men’s Pro Singles Pro Quarters – Leo Canales, Jr def Ivan Burgos (AZ) (11), 0, 13
11:30 Men’s Pro Singles Pro Quarters – Sean Lenning (WA) def Mark Doyle (IRE) 13, 6
12:15 Men’s Pro Singles Pro Quarters – Luis Cordova Jr (MEX/TX) def Daniel Cordova (TX/MEX) 11, 9
14:00 Men’s Pro Singles 9th Place Semi – Dylan Hernandez (CA) def Bryan Trejo (CA) 25-14
14:45 Men’s Pro Singles Pro Semis Martin Mulkerrins (IRE) def Leo Canales (TX/MEX) 5, 11
15:00 Men’s Pro Singles Pro Semis Sean Lenning (WA) def Luis Cordova (MEX/TX) (15), 8, 8
Sunday, October 11th, 2026 (Pacific Daylight Time)
10:00 Men’s Pro Singles Dylan Hernandez (CA) vs Shorty Ruiz (AZ)
10:45 Men’s Pro Singles Mark Doyle (IRE) vs Ivan Burgos (AZ)
11:30 Men’s Pro Singles Martin Mulkerrins (IRE) vs Sean Lenning (WA)
EXTRAS:
NEW FEATURE: Receive Real-time LIVE stats when matches are playing on ESPN+, HERE: https://wphlive.tv/scorewidget/widget.html
Watch all the action LIVE on ESPN+. Get interviews, some live coverage and extras at Patreon.com/wphlive
Follow the brackets beginning Friday, October 9th, HERE: https://www.r2sports.com/website/no-draws-available.asp?TID=51394
The Portland Classic Preview, is HERE: https://wphlive.tv/october-9-11-2026-race-4-eight-portland-classic-full-preview/
The Portland Classic Day One (Friday) Wrap, is HERE: https://wphlive.tv/friday-at-the-2026-race-4-eight-portland-classic/
The Portland Classic Day Two (Saturday) Wrap, is HERE: https://wphlive.tv/saturday-at-the-2026-race-4-eight-portland-classic/