PARC 16th Tournament of the Americas
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: April 11-19, 2003

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The Hiser Report: Mike Green dominated Jason Thoerner with drive serves and rekills of weak returns; Jason was never in the match. Jack Huczek had no problem with Vincent Gagnon, although it was, perhaps, his weakest match thus far. Jack had numerous unforced errors and seemed to lose concentration in the middle of both games. 

In women's singles, Cheryl Gudinas really had no problem in using accurate serves and patience to frustrate Angela Grisar into making numerous errors. After an embarrassingly swift win over Mexican junior Nancy Enriquez, Laura Fenton was forced into a tiebreaker by veteran Josee Grandmaitre. Josee soundly won the first game, and lead 8-0 in the second before Fenton fought back to win game two. Fenton came from behind again, from 8-5 in tiebreaker, to win and advance into a rematch of last year's national singles final against Gudinas tomorrow.

In doubles, USA logged an easy win over Argentina's Maggi & Manzuri, who seemed to have played their best against Venezuela in their earlier match, coming from behind, 10-2, to win that tiebreaker. But in the U.S. match, Ruben played very strong, and Argentina was eliminated in straight games. Mexico luckily won the first came against Bolivia 15-14, after coming from behind, 14-12. They then won the second game in a shut out, to face the U.S. tomorrow. This could become the best final of event, with the U.S. trying to repeat last years win. 

For the women, both the USA and Mexican doubles teams had easy wins, with USA over Canada (2,6) and Mexico over Chile (8,8).

Jack Huczek and Jason Thoerner each advanced through two rounds on Thursday, with straight game wins over challengers from Puerto Rico and Mexico (for Huczek) and Ecuador and Mexico (for Thoerner). Both U.S. players will face Canadian opponents in Friday play, where No.4 Thoerner will face top-seeded Michael Green, and No.2 Huczek will go up against No.3 Vincent Gagnon.

Starting in the No.3 spot, Laura Fenton advanced with a win over Puerto Rico's top player, Anita Maldonado, to meet Mexico's Nancy Enriquez in Friday's quarterfinal.

U.S. RESULTS: THURSDAY
Jack Huczek def. Ward Myers (PUR) 15-2, 15-2
Jack Huczek def. Agustin Tristan (MEX) 15-6, 15-2
Jason Thoerner def. Jose Luis Cueva (ECU) 15-9, 15-12
Jason Thoerner def. Gilberto Mejia (MEX) 15-9, 15-14
Laura Fenton def. Anita Maldonado (PUR) 15-4, 15-6

Canada's men doubles team struggled with both Chile and Venezuela, advancing through two tiebreakers. It's a new doubles team, with no experience, so they'll have to be lucky again to win a medal. Canada women's doubles team lost to Mexico, meaning that they will play the U.S. in the semifinals of the medal round. 

Bolivia's women's doubles was upset by Chile's Angela Grisar, playing in an I-formation, who single-handedly beat the Bolivian team. Jason Thoerner fell behind (9-2) to his student, Augustin Tristan, then woke up to win it in two. Laura and Cheryl both had easy wins; the same for Jack. 

Both the club and the hotel are the nicest venues we have ever used. The Pan American Games organizing committee is using this as a test event, so security is top notch. Luke is working behind the scenes to make sure the Pan Ams go smoothly, and the new courts look great and will be ready for the games. We have met with almost every top Pan Am official.

The medal rounds begin tomorrow. Local favorite, Claudine Garcia, struggled through the early playoffs, and barely made the medal round. She now plays Jen Saunders in the first round. Players have improved and equity within the field is better than ever. The U.S. team is getting along good, and looking forward to the medal rounds.

Then the second game got going and we were tied 5-5. At that point, I somehow fell apart and lost my confidence. They ran 10 straight points and beat us 15-5. They got some momentum and got HOT. We started the tiebreaker [and stayed at] 0-0 for a long time, but soon the Mexicans went up 3-0. They had scored 13 unanswered points on us and the momentum was in their favor. We battled back but they got a bit of lead and we never recovered. We ended up losing 11-5. 

It was very disappointing, but putting it into perspective, it was a very good game for us considering it was only our third time playing together. It was amazingly good actually. I have been really impressed with how well Amanda has adapted to the the forehand side. She is hitting hard and low and blowing the ball by people. I would say that I have been the weakest link so far, which is frustrating. We are continuing to play better and better and we now have another two days off before we play again which is not what we want.

We now play into a tough Bolivian team in the first round and then into the USA in the next round; we play both rounds on Friday. We will be ready and I am looking forward to competing against strong teams and continuing to improve our doubles game.

In men's action, Cory and Tom won in a barnburner 11-9 tiebreaker over Venezuela! Tom was moving really well -- the best I have seen him all tournament and Cory was a little off. I think he was 0-4 with his drop shots that he kept trying to make. In the end they won the game which is all that really matters and they proved themselves to be a tough team to beat.

See Racquetball Canada TOA "News" for updates

Burlington, Ont., native Mike Green led the way Tuesday, clinching first place in his pool by defeating Pablo Fajre 15-10, 15-1.

Canada's other men's singles player, Vincent Gagnon of Longueuil, Que., also clinched top spot in his pool with a 15-3, 15-7 win over Puerto Rican Nestor Marchand.

Winnipeg's Jennifer Saunders breezed through her match, dropping Karen De Paiz of Guatemala 15-0, 15-5. The win virtually assures Saunders top spot in her pool with one match remaining on Wednesday against Carmen Pizzaro of Chile.

Longueuil, Que.'s Josee Grand'Maitre won her pool on Monday and doesn't play again until Thursday.

In doubles, the men's team of Cory Osborne of Penetanguishene, Ont., and Tom O'Brien of Burlington remained undefeated and also clinched first place in their pool with a clutch tie-breaker victory over Venezuela.

On the women's side, Lori-Jane Powell of Calgary and Amanda Dunn of Saskatoon dropped a three-set match to a tough Mexican side.

"Overall it was a good day," said Team Canada coach Loren Prentice. "Cory and Tom did real well to win their tiebreaker, but Lori-Jane and Amanda lost theirs…they will be second seeds now, which will make it a little tougher, but that is what happened last year when they won (in Bolivia)."

Prentice was referring to the win by Powell and partner Karina Odegard of Saskatoon at last year's Tournament of the Americas.

Action at the Santo Domingo Country Club continues Wednesday with pool play, but only Saunders is action for Canada. The elimination matches get underway on Thursday.

The Tournament of the Americas is an annual event between racquetball-playing nations in North, Central and South America. Thirteen countries have sent teams to Santo Domingo, which is serving as a "test" venue for the upcoming Pan Am Games this summer.

"Corey and I played well against Equador and the match was pretty tame. Playing against Chile was a different story. Their belief, its all good! Watching a ball skip twice and then having them walking up as if it was good shot, was hard to take. Friendly words and facial expressions were exchanged on a regular basis. Being down 6-3 in the breaker and then winning 11-6, helped our confidence...it was all good!

So far Corey has been a major surprise to the other countries, making great gets and amazing touch shots. I in the other hand, have also been a surprise...not able to get three foot high pinches. Today against undefeated Venezuala, it is not only my goal to win in straight games...but also, not to be the slowest person on the court. I have been mentally preparing myself to dive...I believe the time has come."

In other action, Mike and Ruben finally got to play and turned back a tough Bolivian team, 15-11, 15-10. It was a solid opener for the USA duo. Speaking of doubles, everyone in Santo Domingo looks forward to seeing Kim and Jackie play tomorrow.

Vincent and Mike Green have been advancing through their singles draws with ease so far. I have yet to see Josee and Jen play. All the doubles matches are scheduled for opposite times of the day, so it is not likely that we will all watch another play until the main draw.

Well, I am going to try and get some of the other players to update this site tonight so you can read from the perspective of someone else for a change!

See Racquetball Canada TOA "News" for updates

"It was a very good day today," said Team Canada coach Michel Gagnon. "Tomorrow and Wednesday are big days because all the top seeds play the No. 2 seeds in their pool."

Longueuil, Que., native Grand'Maitre dispatched Carola Loma of Bolivia 15-14, 15-4 to clinch her pool and earn a spot in the round-of-16 that is slated to begin Thursday.

Canada's other women's singles player, Jennifer Saunders of Winnipeg, defeated Puerto Rico's Anita Maldonado 15-2, 15-9 to keep her flawless record intact. Saunders, a world silver medallist in 2002, had earlier defeated Yaima Hernandez of Cuba to start the tournament.

On the men's side, Mike Green of Burlington, Ont., won his second straight match, downing Bolivian Santiago Canedo 15-7,15-5. Vincent Gagnon, a native of Longueuil, Que., was off Monday but returns to action on Tuesday where he too will attempt to keep his undefeated record intact. Earlier, he dispatched a player from Venezuela and another from Ecuador. He will play the pool's No. 2 seed Nestor Marchand on Tuesday.

In doubles, the Canadian pairing of Lori-Jane Powell of Calgary and Amanda Dunn of Saskatoon defeated Puerto Rico 15-13, 15-3. Powell is the defending doubles champion in the event, having paired with another Saskatoon native, Karina Odegard, last year in Bolivia to take the title.

The men's team of Cory Osborne of Penetanguishene, Ont., and Tom O'Brien of Burlington remained undefeated with a 14-15, 15-8, 15-6 win over Chile.

Action at the Santo Domingo Country Club continues Tuesday and Wednesday with pool play, before the elimination matches get underway on Thursday.

The Tournament of the Americas is an annual event between racquetball-playing nations in North, Central and South America. Thirteen countries have sent teams to Santo Domingo, which is serving as a "test" venue for the upcoming Pan Am Games this summer.

The team is having fun. The Dominican Republic is a beautiful place. We saw our Pan Am venue today and it is going to be right in the heart of the action. We are with volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball to name a few sports. It will be a blast. Our trainer, Meridith, is doing a super job and the team is playing well. The main draw begins on Thursday and tough matches await us tomorrow and Wednesday. As said before, it is tough to get to computers and I will ask the team to help us out. Thanks and Go USA, Coach W.

Amanda and I have been trying to find our new doubles team groove. Yesterday, we played against Cuba and they were up against us 9-5 at one point! It has definitely been a learning process for both of us. I was struggling yesterday and lost my confidence a bit. Amanda played well and we ended up winning two straight. It felt like I was getting dominated by Cuba's left-handed tennis player - she had a complete tennis swing but very good racquet skills. She would play off of our power and touch the ball into the corners. Her partner was not as strong, which is where we garnered many of our points.

Today we played against a PUMPED up Anita Maldonado and her Puerto Rican partner. She yelled and screamed and argued her way to a close first game against us. It felt like the longest game in the history of racquetball because she was constantly off the court trying to cause a commotion. The strategy worked well for her, as she was able to use all that anger and juice to pump herself up. We won the first game in close fashion, 15-13. The second game we dominated 15-3 and started to feel more comfortable out there. Amanda and I are both adjusting to the fact that we are both backhand players who are used to taking 75% of the shots with our regular partners. We are getting better every game and like our team physio Bob Fong stated, we are like rocks rolling down a hill - we just keep gathering momentum as we play.

The only other match I have seen was our Men's Doubles Team versus Chile today. Chile won the first game 15-14 on some VERY questionable refereeing and line judging. We had to call Jim Hiser in to get things taken care of. Cory and Tom got at least 4 bad calls against them in that first game which made a big difference in a tight game. Many times Cory was just shaking his head because he couldn't believe the shots and double bounces the Chile players were taking. In the end, the guys settled down and came back and won the second game and tie-breaker. This was a good win for them - it was their first real test internationally.

Amanda and I had the day off yesterday and we went to one of the local beaches. SPF 45 in hand, we still stood out with our pale skin! It was my first time seeing the Carribean ocean which was really cool. It is soooooo blue and the temperature is like swimming in a warm bath-tub! The heat and the humidity here is something else and we have all been having to keep close attention ot not get sunburned or heat stroke.

Laura Fenton defeated Ecuador number one 15-3 and 15-5 and Cheryl Gudinas defeated Ecuador number two 15-2 and 15-3. These scores may not be totally accurate (as I am guessing). 

No matches for women's or men's doubles yet. The women [Jackie Rice & Kim Russell] play on Tuesday and the men [Ruben Gonzalez & Mike Guidry] play on Monday.

One interesting note: Laura Fenton plays Claudine Garcia tomorrow and Claudine is playing great. Still, I like our chances, since Laura is playing well too. All for now and I will try to update you everyday, but it is hard to get to computers. -JW

See Racquetball Canada TOA "News" for updates

I will write updates as I can AND if you see weird spellings or missed punctuation marks in my commentary writing, it's because most of the key strokes don't work on the computers here at the hotel.