Champions set to defend titles at Canadian Racquetball Championships

Mike Green of Burlington, Ont. and Christie Van Hees of Calgary are set to defend their titles at the Canadian National Racquetball Championships at the Regina Court and Fitness Club in Regina, as they both won their semi final matches on Friday.

Green had a battle with Ryan Smith, a fellow Burlington, Ont. resident, and also like Green a former Canadian Junior Champion. Smith had a chance to win game one, serving at 14-13, but was not able to close it out, as Green came back to take that game, and then took a large lead in game two that he did not reliquish, winning 18-16, 15-6.

Kris Odegard of Saskatoon will be Green's opponent Saturday. Odegard beat Vincent Gagnon of Montreal in the other semi final, 15-11, 15-7.

Odegard is the seventh seed and was also a finalist two years ago when the Nationals were last in Regina. Then he lost to Corey Osborne of Penetanguishe, Ont., but he avenged that loss yesterday when he beat Osborne in the quarter finals.

Saturday will be Odegard's chance to avenge his finals loss, and he would dearly love to win his first National Championship in his home province.

Green will be vying for his fifth National Championship. His previous titles were in 2002-04, and 2006.

Defending Canadian Champion and reigning World Champion, Christie Van Hees of Calgary advanced to the women's finals Friday by defeating Véronique Guillemette of Calgary in the semi-finals, 15-8, 15-8.

Van Hees will face her opponent from last year's final, Jennifer Saunders of Winnipeg - the second seed - who defeated Brandi Jacobson Prentice of Saskatoon, 15-6, 15-10, in the other semi final.

Van Hees and Saunders also met at the Canadian Open last October, where Van Hees won in two straight games, as she did at last year's Nationals in Edmonton. Saunders will be looking to reverse that pattern on Saturday.

Overall, one hundred and fifty one players are competing in 25 singles and doubles divisions at the Regina Court and Fitness Club in Regina. The championships continues through Saturday.

Les championnats canadiens de racquetball a commencé