Van Hees wins season opener, solidifies #1 ranking

Christie Van Hees, a native of Kelowna, British Columbia now residing in Calgary, won the first tournament of the newly revamped Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Tour at the Rosartio Racquet Club in Rosario Beach, Mexico.

Van Hees defeated American Cheryl Gudinas of Lisle, Illinois, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8. Gudinas is the number 2 WPRO Tour player, and was number 1 until Van Hees surpassed her last season. The win solidifies Van Hees's position as the number 1 WPRO player.

Van Hees reached the final by beating Mexican Samantha Salas in the round of 16, American Adrianne Fisher in the quarter-finals, 11-3, 13-11, 11-5, and American Kristen Walsh in the semi-finals, 11-5, 11-1, 11-6.

Fellow Canadian, Lori-Jane Powell lost in the first round of the tournament to Susy Acosta of Mexico. Powell has recently moved from Calgary to San Diego in an effort to play more WPRO tournaments.

The next WPRO tournament is in Gaithersberg, Maryland, USA, October 13-16.

RESULTS SUMMARY : SOMMAIRE DES RÉSULTATS

Final : Finale

Christie Van Hees (Calgary) d. Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, IL), 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8.

Semi Finals : Demi finales

Christie Van Hees (Calgary) d. Kristen M. Walsh (Salt Lake City, UT), 11-5, 11-1, 11-6.
Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, IL) d. Angela Grisar (Santiago, CHILE), 11-4, 11-7, 11-2.

Quarter Finals : quartième finales

Christie Van Hees (Calgary) d. Adrienne Fisher (Dayton, OH), 11-3, 13-11, 11-5.
Cheryl Gudinas (Lisle, IL) d. Tammy Brown (Bosie, ID), 14-12, 10-12, 11-7, 11-1.
Kristen Walsh (Salt Lake City, UT) d. Kerri Wachtel (Cinncinati, OH), 11-8, 11-6, 12-10.
Angela Grisar (Santiago, CHILE) d. Rhonda Rajsich (Fountain Hills, AZ), 6-11, 11-2, 11-8, 4-11, 11-1.