July - August 1998
Vol. 9, No. 4

by Kevin Vicroy
The Finals Logo

Robin Levine & Adam Karp claim National Singles Titles!

Levine vs. Paraiso
Karp vs. Bronfeld
Complete Results

Be careful what you wish for ... you just might get it. In particular, eight-time national champion Michelle Gould might want to think twice before wishing to play southpaw nemesis Robin Levine anytime soon. At the Ektelon 31st U.S. National Singles Championships, presented by Penn Racquet Sports, the tables were turned for the long-time champion in the semi-final round.

Following her 15-3, 15-4 second round drubbing of Aimee Roehler in the round of 16, Gould was asked about her level of motivation — considering her upset loss to Levine at the WIRT Pro National’s in Las Vegas only weeks before.

“Yea, I’m definitely fired-up,” the Boise resident said. “There’s definitely some motivation and one person in particular that I’d like to play.”

That one person was Levine. Seeded fifth to Gould’s first, the two were expected to meet in the semi-finals if all went according to plan.

Levine did her part by defeating former national high school champion Rhonda Rajsich 15-10, 15-8 in the round of 16 and struggling past fourth-seeded Laura Fenton 2-15, 15-5, 11-9 in the quarterfinals.

On the other half of the bracket, Jackie Paraiso and Cheryl Gudinas had played up to their respective #3 and #2 seedings. Paraiso downed Shannon Feaster, 15-9, 15-9 in the 16’s, then fought off a tough Kersten Hallander, 10-15, 15-8, 11-6, in the quarters. Gudinas, last year’s runner-up, cruised by recent University of Wyoming graduate Marni Shute, 15-2, 15-2 in the 16’s, then came back to defeat Tammy Brockbank, 6-15, 15-5, 11-1.

By winning their quarterfinal matches, Gould, Levine, Paraiso and Gudinas each earned one-year appointments to the U.S. Team. With Paraiso’s previous qualifying win at national doubles (with sister Joy MacKenzie), all four solidified spots on the World Team set to play this July in Bolivia at the IRF World Championships.

Showdown
Just as it had in Vegas only a month earlier, a large crowd gathered to watch rivals Levine and Gould square off. Unfortunately for Gould, the result would be the same. Levine broke a 6-6 first-game tie and built a slim 12-8 lead. Gould cut the deficit to 12-10, but the ‘94 U.S. National Singles champ closed out the first game 15-10.

Gould quickly commanded a 4-0 lead in the second game, but Levine never wavered. The “Boise Boomer” found herself down 10-5 and struggling to stay afloat. Levine kept pushing . . . up 11-6, 12-6 . . . match point, 14-6. Then, as she did in Vegas, Levine called a timeout. This time, it didn’t work.

Following a sideout, three-time defending champion Gould ran off three consecutive points, now down 14-9. After another sideout, Levine again called timeout on match point. Again, it didn’t work.

After two Gould points (14-11), Levine was set to serve for the match and no, she didn’t call another timeout. She served, the two rallied and Gould skipped her usually reliable backhand. Ready for the return, positioned at center court, Levine simply fell to her knees as the crowd rose from their seats.

“I collapsed . . . just because it was over,” Levine said afterward. “I wanted to just end the match. Maybe I wanted to end it too soon the other times.”

About the match point timeouts, Levine said, “It’s not something I like to do all the time. It just helps me focus that much more. On that last point, I was as focused as I could be and I didn’t feel like I needed it.”

Gould, whose last loss at National’s was in the ‘94 final to Levine, admitted that it is harder for her to play lefties than righties and always has been.

But, as far as this loss, “I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings, quite honestly. A part of me is thankful that I made the (U.S.) Team. Another part of me is so mad I can hardly stand it.”

Paraiso earns Final Spot
In the other final four match up, Gudinas seemed to be in control over Paraiso. Up 13-8 in the first game, Gudinas’ game was on the money . . . or was it?

“When I was up 13-8, the majority of shots that I hit were not shots that I was trying to hit,” a puzzled Gudinas said after the 15-13, 15-6 loss. “I would try to hit it down the line and it would go into the corner. To the crowd, it looked spectacular, but I couldn’t hit the ball where I wanted it to go.”

After scoring six unanswered points to take the first game, Paraiso sprang out to an 11-2 lead in the second and eventually coasted to the 15-6 win.

Another factor in determining this match was Paraiso’s relaxed attitude. “I changed my mental attitude, focused a little more and just tried to go for it,” she said after earning her finals spot. “After her losing that first game and me coming back that strong, I think I had the edge.”

Levine vs. Paraiso
The stage was set with Levine (shown at right below), one of the few women that can somewhat consistently beat Gould, and Paraiso, former pro tour champion, better known for her doubles prowess. Undeniably two of the most athletic women in racquetball, the fans were in for a treat no matter what.

Paraiso & Levine

Red-hot in the beginning, Levine went up 8-0. Paraiso came within five at 9-4, but Levine closed out the first game 15-8. The second game was a lengthy one with Paraiso holding leads of 8-3, 12-8 and 13-10. But the two divers continued to stretch out each rally with amazing gets and eventually the game was tied at 14-14. After several missed chances on both sides, Paraiso hit a well-placed forehand into the right side that cracked out for a game winner to force the tiebreaker.

Levine scored the first three points of the tiebreaker and never trailed, winning 11-8. “The thing with Jackie is that she’s a retriever like I am,” Levine said after the hard-fought contest. “We both get to a lot of balls and really, it’s a matter of just playing smart.”

According to Paraiso, “Probably my lack of good execution on my backhand made the difference. It’s tough. There’s a lot of pressure – you’re either the national champion or you’re not. She (Levine) played great. I think the rallies lasted longer than they would have if either of us would have played anybody else.”

Winner of her second career national championship, Levine was pleased, to say the least.

“This one really means a lot to me,” she said. “To come back (from injury) in about four months and win a national title is incredible. I’d really like to win the World’s but you just never know. I’m just going to go out there, play my best and see what happens.”

Men's Open

Men’s Title Up for Grabs
In opposition to the women’s draw, the men’s title appeared wide open from the outset. Any one of the top eight seeds had a legitimate shot at winning this year’s national crown.

Probably all the more reason why the top four seeds each made it to the semifinals and earned one-year appointments to the U.S. Team.

Making the Team Cut
Defending champ Dan Obremski defeated Eric Muller 15-8, 15-12 for his appointment. Fourth-seeded Adam Karp held off a tenacious Jason Thoerner 15-9, 15-14 in his quarterfinal win. Former champion Ruben Gonzalez and #2 seed Michael Bronfeld also won their quarters match-ups in tiebreakers. Third seed Gonzalez downed sixth seed Kelly Gelhaus 15-11, 5-15, 11-4, while Bronfeld slipped past James Mulcock 15-6, 2-15, 11-7.

Still, the possibility of major upsets had lurked in the smoggy Houston air earlier in the week. Obremski started slow against unseeded Tom Fuhrmann of Texas in the round of 64, before winning 15-5, 10-15, 11-3. In the next round, U.S. Teammate Tim Hansen also forced the defending champ to catch up in their 14-15, 15-4, 11-1 match. Also in the round of 16, Bronfeld’s quest for a third national title was challenged by Dan Llacera, who fell 3-15, 15-11, 11-7.

In Sunday’s first semifinal contest, Bronfeld took on Gonzalez – with three national titles between them. After scoring six of the first eight points, Bronfeld closed out a tight first game with a 15-14 win. Down 10-7 in the second, the Californian reeled off eight unanswered points to take the match with a 15-10 victory.

“I moved really well today and I was able to stay in every rally,” Bronfeld said. “My back didn’t bother me today. I had treatment earlier and it made a huge difference. I tried mixing it up and putting the pressure on him and it worked.”

The other final four match was a repeat of last year’s semis, except that Obremski had won over Karp 15-10, 15-7 in ‘97. This one started out much the same way. Obremski went up 6-0, forcing Karp to call a timeout.

“I started off just as I played him last year – terrible,” Karp said. “He was controlling the match. I was just playing stupid racquetball and called a timeout. I gathered myself, went in there and it started to work.”

Karp took a 7-6 lead and went on to a 15-11 win. In the second game, Karp jumped out to a 6-1 lead and sailed to a 15-6 victory.

“I felt that I dominated the first six points,” Obremski said of the first game. “Then I took it too lightly – as if at 6-1 the match would be easy.”

Experience vs. Determination
For Karp (shown at right, below), it marked his debut in the national finals. “It’s nice to be in the finals,” he said. “Every year here, I’ve made it one round further. Tomorrow, I’m going to try and break that streak (by winning).”

Bronfeld & Karp

In his fifth National Singles final, Bronfeld had hoped that his experience would carry him through the pressure-packed match. But, it was Karp’s ability to shrug off a severely dislocated finger injury late in the second game that helped him earn his first national title.

“Fresh Fish” started the match off with a brief backhand clinic as he went up 6-2 on six backhand winners into the left corner. Karp continued to hold his lead, right up to the first game finish at 15-8.

“From the start of the match, I was slow,” Bronfeld said. “In the first game, I had plenty of shots and opportunities. I just couldn’t put it together.”

Bronfeld was able to put his game together – somewhat – in the second game. Up 8-7, Bronfeld watched Karp take flight and crash into the left side wall.

When Karp jumped to his feet, he said, “I need a doctor, now!” Karp had jammed his left middle finger into the base of the wall on his dive.

“I didn’t want to look at it because I heard it and felt it,” Karp said. “As soon as I looked down, my first thought was that I was done – the match was over. It looked that bad.”

The digit was dislocated, had discolored to an alarming shade and come to rest at an impossible angle. Karp was glassy-eyed with pain and shock as a doctor on hand calmly straightened the finger. A few minutes later Karp was taped like a prizefighter and back in the match, where he headed upstream and gave up only two more points to Bronfeld before winning 15-10.

“I should have won the second game,” Bronfeld said. “I was up and had a couple of shots here and there ... I was just never crisp today. I’ll tell you what, I’m upset because I hate to lose. But, when I look back on it, I had two weeks to get ready for this tournament. I came in not expecting anything. From that point of view, it’s been a good tournament for me.”

It was a little better for Karp, whose titles thus far have been only in doubles.

“Without a doubt, the World Championships were great ... National Doubles was great, but winning this tournament was one of my top priorities. Now that I’ve done that, I can’t tell you how happy I am.”

“I was having a lot of negative thoughts last night. I’ve played Michael a few times and he’s gotten me more than I’ve gotten him. On the ride over here, I thought, screw the negative thoughts, you’ve wanted this too badly to just give up and not play your heart out. Right after that, on the radio, I heard ‘All by myself.’ I just got the chills and I wanted to be all by myself on the court after the tournament. I wanted to be the one left.”

Following an on-court television interview, Karp turned and walked to the front wall. It was too big to hug, so he just leaned against it. It was pure success and he was indeed the only one left standing.

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